The Renton, Washington area has seen a significant number of catastrophic injuries. According to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), during the 2022 reporting period of January 1 to November 30, 2022, the department identified 33 injured worker claims as catastrophic. All were assigned to a nurse case manager.
During that same time period, a total of 554 claims accepted by L&I met the criteria for catastrophic injury. More than half of these were multiple trauma, meaning there were multiple injuries involved. The main injuries included brain injuries, major burns, spinal cord injuries, and amputations.
The Renton Regional Fire Authority reported 1,735 total incidents in May 2023, including car crashes, fires, and shooting incidents, Car accidents are a common cause of catastrophic injury and are very concerning. In Washington State, serious injuries from car crashes increased for the third year in a row to 2,623.
What is a Catastrophic Injury?
For the purposes of the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries project, a catastrophic injury is defined as an injury that requires hospitalization within 24 hours of the onset and requires at least four consecutive days of hospitalization.
A catastrophic injury occurs suddenly, often as a result of an accident. It causes serious physical damage to the body. Most catastrophic injuries are permanent, which means full recovery is not possible.
Common catastrophic injuries include:
- Spinal cord damage
- Brain injuries
- Amputation
- Severe organ damage
- Loss of hearing
- Loss of sight
- Facial injury that causes deformity
- Nerve damage
- Neurological damage
- Severe burns
Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Tens of thousands of catastrophic injuries occur every year. Brain injuries alone account for more than 17,000 of these injuries.
Catastrophic injuries have many potential causes, including the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents, including those involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians
- Workplace accidents
- Falls
- Sports accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
Recovering Compensation
When you suffer catastrophic injuries, you experience substantial damages. You may have significant pain and suffering, as well as high medical bills, ongoing medical expenses, and a lifetime of lost wages. Compared to other injuries, you should receive a larger amount of money to compensate you for the catastrophic injury because your losses are greater.
Time is limited, with just three years to file a lawsuit. Don’t handle such a situation on your own.
There’s a lot of money at stake, so make sure you have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side.
Contact Us Today
A catastrophic injury is severe in nature and can affect a person for life. It’s important to get full and fair compensation for your care.
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, seek legal help from the Renton personal injury lawyers at Premier Law Group. We understand how much a catastrophic injury can change your entire life. We promise you won’t bear any financial burden unless we secure a victory for you. To learn more, schedule a free consultation. Call or text (206) 880-7437 or fill out the online form. Our office is available 24/7.