Types of Injuries

About the Types of Injuries Associated with Personal Injury Claims

Because a personal injury may include any physical and/or emotional injury that has been sustained as the result of another's conduct, there is no particular type of injury that may or may not be covered by personal injury laws. An injured party may be able to seek financial compensation for virtually any kind of injury, as long as it has resulted in quantifiable damages of some kind.

An interesting factor to look at in regard to the type of injury sustained is the impact it may have on the type and amount of monetary damages the victim may be entitled to. A minor injury that results in no missed work and a single doctor's visit, for example, is likely to result in a relatively small settlement. On the other hand, a catastrophic injury that leaves a victim permanently disabled and in need of lifelong medical care may result in a considerable settlement or jury award.

Here is a brief look at some of the types of injuries associated with personal injury claims:

Amputation
Amputation may be defined as the removal of part or all of a body part. This may occur in an operating room in order to prevent the spread of infection or cancer or because a body part has suffered irreparable damage. It may also occur at the scene of an accident, where a part of the body is severed or otherwise traumatically removed from the body.

Brain Injuries
Whether sustained through physical trauma or as a result of a lack of oxygen or blood, a brain injury may have a dramatic impact on virtually every area of a victim's life. A brain injury may cause a concussion or coma, memory loss, loss of cognitive skills, speech impairment, loss of motor skills and personality changes. A victim may require medical care and living assistance for the rest of his or her life.

Burn Injuries
One of the most painful injuries that one may experience is a severe burn. The incident itself may cause unimaginable pain, as may the long recovery period. A victim may require immediate hospitalization and multiple surgeries and skin graft treatments to restore form and function to the affected part or parts of the body.

Catastrophic Injuries
An injury may be deemed "catastrophic" if it is particularly serious and results in extensive, expensive medical care. Catastrophic injuries often have a lasting impact on a victim's life and may lead to a temporary or permanent disability. Paralysis, for example, may be considered a catastrophic injury.

Internal Organ Damage
When internal organs such as the kidneys, liver, lungs or intestine are damaged in an accident, the victim will likely require emergency surgery to repair the damage. If the organs sustain enough damage, permanent injury or death may result. Some potential causes of internal organ damage include car accidents, motorcycle accidents and industrial accidents.

Scarring and Disfigurement
In the blink of an eye, a person may become the victim of a serious accident that leaves him or her permanently disfigured. Scars and disfigurement can have lasting psychological effects on victims, impacting social and professional interaction and self esteem. Disfigurement can also impact a victim's ability to perform certain day-to-day activities or employment-related tasks. As such, financial compensation may be awarded for the physical and emotional impact that disfigurement or scarring has on a victim.

Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord plays an important role in the body, allowing for the transmission of information and commands to and from the brain and the rest of the body. If the nerves in the spinal cord are injured, these messages may be interrupted or may stop completely, resulting in partial or total paralysis. Spinal cord injuries may influence every area of a victim's life.

Vision / Hearing Loss
Loss of vision or loss of hearing may result from physical trauma to the eyes, ears or brain or may be caused by exposure to harmful light or loud noises. Whether temporary or permanent, or partial or complete, vision and hearing loss may have dramatic consequences for the victim. Surgery may be required in an attempt to restore function, or a victim may have to deal with a disability for the rest of his or her life.

If you would like to learn more about how a specific type of injury may impact your personal injury claim, you are welcome to review more of the topics in our Personal Injury Information Center. You can also connect with local lawyers to discuss your particular case and concerns.

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