The Impact of Catastrophic Injuries in Dalton

The impact of catastrophic injuries in Dalton on victims of either malpractice or serious accidents cannot be understated. Often, the lives of victims are irreparably changed for the worse. However, that does not mean all hope is lost. With the help of an experienced legal professional, you could make a financial recovery and address past and future expenses related to your accident.

What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?

A catastrophic injury is defined by Dalton law as an injury that has a profound impact on one’s ability to function. Any injury that permanently affects a person’s ability to work, make a living, or move his or her body, could be considered catastrophic. The impact of a catastrophic injury in Dalton could change the life of victims indefinitely.

Catastrophic injuries have a more damaging and long-lasting impact on a person’s life than other categories of personal injuries because they could permanently impair one’s capacity to perform normal activities involved in daily living.

Maintaining Employment Throughout the Recovery Process

If an individual is able to maintain gainful employment, the injury could be considered less than catastrophic. The inability to maintain gainful employment is one of the key factors considered when determining whether or not an injury is catastrophic.

Contacting an Attorney Despite The Capacity to Do So

When an injured individual is unable to contact an attorney on his or her own, attorneys often trust family members to make decisions on the victim’s behalf. Hospitals and medical providers do the same thing when a patient has suffered a brain injury, is in a coma, or is otherwise unable to communicate or make decisions, at which point the law allows attorneys to rely on close family members. If the individual’s condition persists, it may require a court proceeding, or if he or she regains his or her mental capacity, that person would be asked to verify the decisions that were made by family members.

Representing a Family Member

If a family member has power of attorney on behalf of a loved one, that empowers the family member to make decisions for the injured loved one and clarifies who is able to access documents and make business decisions for the loved one. Even if an injured person has never granted someone power of attorney, the family could still consult with an attorney and possibly act on his or her behalf.

Defining Incapacitation

The definition of legally incapacitated is that an individual has some sort of disability, illness, or deficiency that renders him or her unable to make rational, informed decisions or communicate. Incapacitated people may be unable to interpret information from outside sources or unable to respond to others trying to communicate with them.

The Spectrum of Incapacitation

On one end of the spectrum of incapacitation are individuals who are only intermittently able to understand their surroundings, communicate, and make rational, fully informed decisions because of conditions like dementia or certain mental illnesses. The other end of the spectrum includes those who are in comas or have suffered traumatic brain injuries, and while they may be able to communicate, their brain no longer functions properly and does not retain vital information, like who their family members are or even their own name.

Speak to an Attorney About the Seriousness of Catastrophic Injuries in Dalton Today

When a medical professional forsakes his or her duty to a patient, or when the driver of a car fails to abide by the rules of the road, the resulting accidents could be costly. The impact of catastrophic injuries in Dalton often change the lives of victims for the worse.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury, you need to consider the help of one of our attorneys. Reach out today to learn how we could assist you.