Louisiana Lawyer BlogHidden Costs of Catastrophic Injuries
When someone suffers a catastrophic injury like a brain injury, spinal cord damage, or loss of limb, the impact can go beyond hospital bills and physical pain. At Broussard, David & Moroux, we’ve seen firsthand how these life changing injuries can affect every part of your life. Most people think of medical expenses and lost income, but what are some of the long-term costs that we don’t consider?
What Are Catastrophic Injuries?
Catastrophic injuries are those that permanently affect a person’s life. Whether it is maintaining quality of life in day to day life or having the ability to go back to work. Here are a few examples of injuries that may require lifetime treatment:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Multiple fractures or organ damage
What Are Hidden Costs You May Not Consider?
1. Long-Term Medical Expenses
Even after the initial treatment, victims may need long-term treatments and support, and these expenses can quickly add up. For example:
- Physical therapy
- Mental health counseling
- Home health aides
- Specialized equipment (wheelchairs, prosthetics, etc.)
2. Loss of Earning Potential
What if you are unable to return to your previous job, or any other job entirely? Not having the ability to continue to provide for you and your family can be devastating.
3. Home and Vehicle Modifications
Often times these catastrophic injuries can cause mobility issues. Although you may not think of these modifications at first, it’s important to keep in mind that they can be extremely expensive.
4. Emotional and Psychological Stress
The trauma from these injuries can affect more than just the body and monetary obligation. Victims may struggle with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and a loss of identity. Not only can this affect you personally, it can also take a toll on family members and people around you that are supporting you by being caregivers.
5. Quality of Life
What if you weren’t able to enjoy your favorite hobbies, go on vacations, or simply playing with your kids and spending quality of time with your family? These catastrophic injuries can take all of these things that you hold dear, away from you.
The attorneys at Broussard, David & Moroux have the knowledge and experience necessary to handle cases of this nature and will fight to obtain fair compensation for your injuries whether they are visible or hidden. If you or a loved one has suffered harm because of the fault of another, contact the attorneys at Broussard, David & Moroux to discuss your legal rights at (337) 233-2323 (local) or (888) 337-2323 (toll-free).