What Are the Common Causes of Injuries?

Every day, people get involved in various types of accidents that cause severe injuries. While most recover within a few months or years, others never fully recover from the injuries and have to live with the consequences. Common causes of injuries include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Car, motorcycle, bicycle, and bus accidents
  • Truck accidents
  • Medical malpractice or negligence
  • Defective product injuries
  • Premises negligence injuries
  • Dog bites and animal attacks
  • Nursing home abuse accidents
  • Food poisoning
  • Workplace injuries

Some accidents lead to what is known as catastrophic injuries. Regardless of the cause and type of injury, seeking compensation is crucial. Getting the legal assistance of a San Antonio personal injury lawyer is vital in these circumstances. They can use their skills to assess the extent of the damages and help you pursue maximum compensation for permanent injuries.

What Is the Definition of Catastrophic Injuries?

Catastrophic injuries refer to any lasting mental or physical impairments that prevent the victim from living their life in full and from engaging in gainful employment. Some severe injuries cause chronic pain and make it hard for the victim to perform daily living activities.

Classification of Permanent Disability by Social Security Administration

In Social Security, the Administration must determine that the victim cannot conform because of the injury and cannot meet the basic actions required for their work.

In the listing of impairments at the Social Security Administration, some conditions that qualify as permanent disability are the following:

  • Congenital disabilities
  • Immune system disorders
  • Arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Mood and psychotic disorders
  • Amputations and disfigurements

For an injury to be considered permanent, it must be expected to last for a minimum of 12 months or result in death. If you lose a loved one due to catastrophic injuries, you may be able to pursue compensation with the help of an experienced San Antonio traumatic brain injury lawyer.

Common Injuries That Lead to Permanent Disability

After an accident, the victim may sustain various injuries that eventually lead to permanent disability. The most common injuries are as follows:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur when the brain is shaken or jolted violently and suddenly. It happens due to a blow to the head, a fall, or a car accident. The severity of the injury ranges from mild concussions to more severe injuries like permanent paralysis or coma.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries result from damage to the nerves, vertebrae, and other tissues in the spine. They can lead to complete or partial paralysis from the point of injury downward.
  • Burn Injuries: Burns damage the skin or other tissues due to heat, electricity, cold, radiation, or chemicals. While some burns are minor, others can lead to permanent disability or disfigurement.
  • Amputation: The surgical removal of a limb or extremity can lead to permanent disability. It often happens when the limbs sustain severe damage because of an infection or accident or when the bones break or crush in a way they can’t heal.

Can I Recover Damages for a Catastrophic Injury That Led to Permanent Disability?

If you or your loved one sustained catastrophic injuries in an accident, it’s advisable to consult an experienced permanent disability attorney in San Antonio with experience in the field. They can help you pursue compensation for the damages and fight to ensure you get the maximum compensation you deserve to cover medical costs and lost wages.

In Texas, the law allows you to recover compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages comprise economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages have a monetary value and are ordered by the court to help the victim rebuild their lives and make them whole again. Types of economic damages include:

  • Past, current, and future medical bills for the injuries sustained in the accident and before the final settlement award
  • Lost wages for the time the victim is unable to work from the time of the accident until they receive the settlement
  • Replacement for damaged property

Working with a skilled permanent disability lawyer in San Antonio, TX, can significantly improve your chances of recovering maximum compensation. They can aggressively fight for your rights against insurance companies that often try to shortchange personal injury victims.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages don’t have a monetary value, but they help reduce the financial stress associated with lost income and decreased quality of life. Damages you can be awarded under this category include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental and emotional anguish
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium and companionship
  • Inconvenience

While this money doesn’t help cure the injuries, it helps make life more comfortable. An aggressive personal injury lawyer in San Antonio can evaluate your case and determine how much compensation you deserve in non-economic damages.

Punitive Damages

The court does not always award punitive damages, but a skilled lawyer can help you recover them. The court can order the defendant to pay punitive damages depending on how strong your compensation claim is. These are awarded as punishment for the defendant’s negligence to deter them and others from conducting a similar negligent action in the future.

Am I Eligible for Permanent Disability Benefits?

Before filing for a disability in San Antonio, consider the following questions:

  • Can your condition be classified as severe?
  • Is your condition one of those listed in the SSA’s blue book of disabilities?
  • Are you currently employed and able to work?
  • Are you able to do alternative forms of work?

You may have a disability case if you answer “yes” to one or more of these questions. However, it would help to have the legal guidance of a skilled personal injury lawyer in San Antonio before seeking permanent disability benefits.

A Skilled Permanent Disability Lawyer Fighting for the Compensation You Deserve

If you or someone you love has some form of permanent disability that they acquired from a catastrophic injury, you may be eligible for compensation. You may also be able to file a Social Security disability claim depending on the circumstances of the case. It helps to work with experienced personal injury attorneys for the best outcome.

Our firm has skilled and knowledgeable lawyers who can provide more information on what qualifies as a permanent disability. They can also evaluate your case and help you pursue compensation that adequately covers the damages. Contact us to schedule a FREE initial consultation.