Personal Injury vs. Catastrophic Injury: What is the difference? 

“Accidents happen,” is a common phrase many of us use after a small mishap or error occurs; but for some, accidents can happen and leave victims with varying levels of personal injury. Accidents happen anytime or anywhere and can forever change the lives of victims and their families.  

During this emotional time, handling the aftermath of an accident can be challenging and overwhelming. If you or a loved one is injured due to another person’s negligence, you are entitled to justice and compensation. 

Time is of the essence when building a strong personal and/or catastrophic injury case. Finding the right legal counsel that will advocate and guide you through this time can be a daunting task. Not sure what kind of case you have? Let’s discuss the differences between catastrophic and personal injury. 

Personal injuries 

Occurs when an individual can achieve a complete or near-complete recovery, without experiencing lingering effects. The most common types of personal injury cases arise from car accidents, slip and fall accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, construction or hazardous worksite accidents, etc. 

Examples of personal injuries:  

• Bruises 
• Broken bones 
• Fractures 
• Lacerations
• Emotional distress such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 

Catastrophic injuries 

Results in permanent damage to the victim, in which they are not able to make a full recovery. Most injuries result in physical harm to the brain and/or spinal cord which leaves them facing short and long-term impacts. Catastrophic injuries may lead to permanent disability and require rehabilitative services, when added up can be costly. Traumatic brain injuries may also lead to permanent loss or damage of cognitive ability. 

Examples of catastrophic injuries: 

• Spinal cord injuries  
• Head and traumatic brain injuries 
• Internal injuries 
• Loss of sight, hearing, or other senses 
• Multiple bone fractures 

• Disfigurement 

 What type of legal counsel do I need? 

Both types of cases require legal counsel that is well-versed in dealing with complex medical diagnoses and insurance claims, all while demonstrating great empathy and compassion. 

Due to the severity of catastrophic injuries, the need for more experienced attorneys is imperative. When building a strong catastrophic injury case, attorneys must include expert testimonies, handle settlement negotiations and consider the economic and non-economic damages to the victim and their families. Our attorneys understand the repercussions of these accidents and how they impact the trajectory of one’s life. 

Attorneys on Your Side  

Slack Davis Sanger attorneys are no strangers to personal and catastrophic injury cases; our legal professionals demonstrate great empathy and tenacity when advocating for victims and their families. With a stellar reputation for success in Dallas/Fort Worth, command of the courtroom and an honest and compassionate team, Slack Davis is dedicated to lifting this burden off your shoulders.