Catastrophic Injury Attorney of Philadelphia, Edelstein Martin & Nelson Help Victims Suffering Catastrophic Injuries
Severe injuries are often referred to as “catastrophic”. When a catastrophic injury occurs, the victim will likely never be the same physically or emotionally. Catastrophic injuries frequently involve burns, amputations, explosions, spinal cord injuries, brain damage and electrocution. The causes of catastrophic injuries can include motor vehicle accidents, trucking accidents, slip and fall accidents, nursing home abuse, construction accidents, medical malpractice and defective products. Tragically, some catastrophic accidents result in death or lifelong complications related to permanent injuries and render individuals unable to return to work. The expenses for medical treatments can financially cripple families dealing with serious injury.
Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP assist catastrophically injured individuals in obtaining the compensation they need to cover the costs of medical expenses and future personal care. Medical treatments can include diagnostic testing, rehabilitation, medical specialists, surgery, occupational therapy, speech therapy, corrective surgery or cosmetic surgery. Some injury victims need assistance with daily living activities such as dressing, feeding and bathing, and some may require residential care at nursing homes or other private facilities.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Burns
Severe injuries may occur as the result of scalding from hot liquids or steam, smoke or toxic fume inhalation, building fires and other chemical fires caused by flammable liquids and gases. All burns can be permanent regardless of whether they are 1st degree burns (damage only to the outer layer of skin), 2nd degree burns (damage to the outer and underneath layers of skin) or 3rd degree burns (destruction of the underlying skin tissue). In addition to scarring, nerve loss and shock are common medical problems associated with severe burns.
Amputations
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity such as a finger, toe, hand, arm, leg or eye. Car accidents, construction site accidents and medical malpractice in the form of untreated infections often result in the need for amputation. Regardless of whether the amputation occurred as part of a surgical removal or as a result of a trauma, the lifelong effects of amputation can be devastating for the individual.
Explosions
Explosion or blast injuries can cause major damage to all areas of the body, particularly the lungs, eyes, ears, brain and abdomen. Explosions are a deadly type of catastrophic accident often causing combat-type injuries including blunt trauma or penetrating injuries. Catastrophic injuries resulting from a bombing, train blast or other type of explosion frequently include bodily impact damage, flying debris damage, chemical and radiation contamination and injuries caused by the displacement of the victim during the blast.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Sudden traumatic blows to the spine will result in severe spinal cord injuries, including both paraplegia and quadriplegia and often accompanied by significant loss of function or paralysis in the extremities including the hand, arms, legs and feet. Car accidents, falls, gun shootings, other violent acts, as well as activities such as diving, football, rugby, lacrosse and other contact sports may all involve injury to the spinal cord.
Brain Damage
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is most often caused by an external force, such as a blow to the head caused by car accidents, falls, sports accidents or violent crimes. Seizures, paralysis, coma and cognitive deficiencies are just some of the symptoms of significant brain damage. Head injuries usually require multitudes of diagnostic studies (including CT scan, MRIs or x-rays) to monitor brain swelling and bleeding. Full recovery from a brain injury can be long and tedious and often full recovery is not possible.
Electrocution
Whenever electricity travels through the body at a high current rate, significant physical damage can occur, particularly to the cardiovascular, respiratory and central nervous systems. Electrocution can be caused by direct contact with an electrical source, such as contact with an exposed wire or certain types of machinery, or getting hit by lightning.
Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP Have Extensive Experience with Catastrophic Injury Lawsuits in Pennsylvania and Delaware
If you or your loved one has been in an accident and suffered serious physical injury, Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP are here to assist you with all of your legal needs. Our attorneys are experienced with all aspects of complex litigation, including the detailed investigation of your claim, intense negotiations, and trial litigation if necessary. For more information about Pennsylvania and Delaware catastrophic accident law, or to discuss your potential lawsuit with a qualified Catastrophic injury lawyer, contact Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP at (215) 731-9900 (toll free: 800-300-0909) or submit an online inquiry to schedule an appointment.