Catastrophic injuries are some of the most severe injuries that can be sustained by someone in Ontario. Common causes include hazardous machinery, motor vehicle accidents, falls, drowning, and more. These injuries often lead to permanent brain damage or disability, as well as serious physical trauma that requires extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
In fact, catastrophic injury claims are some of the most complex personal injury cases to handle professionally. And finding a qualified personal injury attorney in Ontario will help you navigate your way through the process by making sure all your legal rights are protected throughout your ordeal.
Let us now look into the 6 common catastrophic injuries reported in Ontario.
- Spinal cord injuries
A spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is damaged or severed during an accident. The nerves that run through this spinal cord become damaged or destroyed, leaving the victim paralyzed below the area of injury. Spinal cord injuries can be temporary or permanent.
- Neck and back injuries from motor vehicle accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries in Ontario. They can result in severe neck or back injuries as a result of whiplash, which is caused by your body impacting against the steering wheel and then being thrown forward.
- Traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are the most common type of brain damage suffered by those who sustain a catastrophic injury. Characterized by severe bleeding in the brain, TBI can cause severe mental and physical impairments to those who experience it.
- Amputation
Amputation refers to the removal of a limb. This type of injury can be caused by motor vehicle accidents, power tools, firearms, military attacks, and more. In Ontario, amputations are one of the most common traumatic injuries reported in personal injury claims.
- Third-degree burns
When someone is burned, it can result in all kinds of painful injuries, including blisters, second-degree burns, and third-degree burns. All of these types can cause significant nerve damage, which, in turn, may lead to permanent disability and emotional suffering for the individual.
- Partial or total paralysis
Paralysis refers to a condition where the victim is unable to move his or her body parts. This is because a part of the brain is damaged and cannot be used to control the body. Paralysis can be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause and severity of the accident.
