What Are Catastrophic Injuries, and What Can Cause Them?

 Posted on June 25, 2025 in Personal Injury

Catastrophic injuries can change your life in an instant. These injuries often require long-term medical care, limit your ability to work, and may even result in permanent disability or death. In Illinois, traffic crashes, medical malpractice, and falls continue to be leading causes of severe injuries. Sadly, many of these injuries are linked to negligence, meaning that they could have been preventable.

If you or a loved one has suffered a life-changing injury, or if you lost someone due to another person’s negligence, a personal injury or wrongful death claim could help you obtain financial compensation. Our skilled Grundy County, IL personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights, guide you through the legal process, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?

If an injury causes long-term or permanent damage to a person’s body or mind, it is catastrophic. These injuries can prevent victims from returning to work or living independently. Examples of catastrophic injuries include spinal cord injuries, partial or total paralysis, multiple fractures, traumatic brain injuries, loss of limbs, and severe burns.

Catastrophic injuries usually require emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and sometimes lifelong care. A permanent disability could mean that you need to modify your vehicle or home. The physical, emotional, and financial toll can be overwhelming for both you and your family.

What Kinds of Negligence Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries?

Negligence is a key factor in most personal injury claims. Various parties can be held legally responsible if they failed to act with reasonable care and that failure caused someone else’s injury.

Many catastrophic injuries are caused by preventable accidents. A careless driver might cause a high-speed crash that results in spinal damage. A construction company may fail to follow safety rules, leading to a fall or a machinery accident. A surgical error or failure to diagnose a serious condition due to medical negligence can have devastating consequences. An intentional act, such as a physical assault, can also lead to catastrophic injuries.

We can investigate the details of your case, identify who was at fault, and gather evidence to prove negligence and support your claim.

Will My Compensation Be Higher for Catastrophic Injuries?

Because catastrophic injuries often lead to lifelong impacts, the potential compensation is usually much higher than in minor injury cases. You may be able to recover damages for:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Future medical needs
• Diminished earning capacity
• Home care
• Other accident-related financial losses
• Various forms of pain and suffering

If the injury was caused by extreme recklessness, you may also be eligible for punitive damages.

If a catastrophic injury leads to death, eligible survivors may be able to obtain compensation through a wrongful death claim. Your compensation can help with funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, the emotional loss of a loved one, and additional losses.

Consult Our Experienced Joliet, IL Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or someone you love has suffered a catastrophic injury or your family is coping with a tragic loss, your chances of securing maximum compensation greatly improve with competent legal representation. Our dedicated Joliet, IL wrongful death attorney can review your case during a free consultation. Schedule yours today by contacting Carlson Law Group, P.C. online or calling 815-710-3700.