Catastrophic Injuries

Life After a Serious Injury

When someone suffers a severe injury, the impact goes far beyond just the physical pain. For many in Los Angeles, a catastrophic injury can mean losing the ability to work, care for themselves, or continue with the life they had before. These injuries often affect every aspect of daily life — from careers and relationships to future goals and personal independence. Beyond the emotional toll, the financial burden can also be overwhelming. Even with insurance, expenses for surgeries, hospital stays, and long-term care can quickly become unaffordable. And if the injury prevents a return to work, the economic consequences can be devastating.

If another person’s reckless or negligent actions caused your injury, you may be entitled to pursue compensation. A knowledgeable catastrophic injury lawyer in Los Angeles can guide you through your options and fight for the financial recovery you deserve. While no amount of money can undo the damage, it can help cover essential care, support your recovery, and preserve your quality of life.

Understanding Catastrophic Injuries

The term “catastrophic injury” refers to extremely serious injuries that cause long-term or permanent damage. These injuries can lead to lasting disabilities, disfigurement, or chronic pain — and often result in the victim being unable to work or participate in everyday life as they once did.

Common types of catastrophic injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

• Spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis

• Severe burns

• Major fractures or crushed bones

• Amputations

• Significant scarring or facial disfigurement

• Permanent vision or hearing loss

Each injury impacts victims differently, depending on factors like their age, health, and life circumstances. What makes an injury catastrophic is how profoundly it changes a person’s ability to function and live independently.

These types of injuries don’t just affect the individual — they often change the lives of entire families. Loved ones may become caregivers, facing new expenses for medical treatment, rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, home care, and more.

Emotionally, catastrophic injuries can lead to serious mental health challenges like anxiety, PTSD, depression, and a deep sense of loss. Both victims and their families may suffer from the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy.

Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

These life-altering injuries can result from many different accidents, such as:

• Car, truck, or motorcycle crashes

• Pedestrian or bicycle accidents

• Slip-and-falls or falls from heights

• Workplace or construction site accidents

• Medical mistakes or surgical errors

• Defective or dangerous products

• Assaults or violent acts

If another party’s negligence caused your injury, California law gives you the right to seek damages. To win your case, you must show that someone failed to act with reasonable care, and that failure caused your injuries and losses.

Compensation for Catastrophic Injury Claims

Catastrophic injuries often require lifelong care, which can cost hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of dollars. A personal injury lawsuit can help you recover the resources you need, including:

• Medical costs: From emergency care to long-term treatment, all health-related expenses can be included.
• Lost income and earning potential: You may be able to recover not just lost wages, but also income you can no longer earn due to disability.
• Pain and suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional trauma caused by your injury.
• Property damage: If your accident also damaged property (like a car), you can seek reimbursement for repairs or replacement.
• Other out-of-pocket expenses: Travel to doctor’s appointments, medical equipment, or in-home care costs can all be compensated.
• Punitive damages: In some cases, a court may award extra damages to punish especially reckless or harmful behavior.

Don’t accept an insurance company’s first offer — speak with an attorney first. Insurance adjusters often try to settle for less than your case is worth, especially in high-value catastrophic injury claims.

How Catastrophic Injuries Are Different

The biggest distinction between a catastrophic injury and a less serious one is permanence. While most injuries heal with time, catastrophic injuries leave lasting effects — often for life. That means long-term medical needs, permanent disability, and a deeper emotional toll.

Because of their severity, catastrophic injury claims often result in higher compensation. However, certain claims — such as medical malpractice — may be subject to limits on non-economic damages in California. That’s why it’s important to work with an attorney who understands how these legal caps might affect your case.

Speak with a Trusted California Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today

If you find yourself or a loved one facing a catastrophic injury in California, the attorneys at Rosenberger + Kawabata are here to help.

When we take on your case, we’re fully invested in helping you pursue the justice and compensation you’re entitled to. By carefully limiting the number of clients we represent, we make sure every case gets the attention, time, and resources it truly deserves. We know how overwhelming it can be to deal with a serious injury, or the harm or loss of a loved one, especially when it’s caused by someone else’s negligence. That’s why we approach every case with compassion and respect. From start to finish, you can count on our team to support you personally and advocate for your best interests with dedication and integrity.

To submit an inquiry, please fill out and submit the contact form on this page or call us at (310) 894-6921.