The damages available in a personal injury case largely depend on the type and severity of the injury sustained by the victim. The following are some examples of injuries that may commonly be at issue in a personal injury claim.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – TBI [1] is one of the most common injuries in legal cases as it can result from motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, falls, sports injuries, and more. TBI can have a significant effect on a victim’s cognitive functioning, physical abilities, emotional control, and can even render them unconscious for an extended period of time.
- Neck injuries – Neck injuries can involve sprains or strains to the tendons, ligaments, and muscles of the neck. This group of injuries is often referred to as “whiplash” because it often occurs when the head snaps forward and then snaps sharply backward like a cracking whip. This is common in motor vehicle accidents, especially in rear-end collisions. Whiplash can require extensive physical therapy, can be very painful, and can limit the ability to work or engage in regular activities.
- Back injuries – Injuries can happen to the many different muscles and other soft tissue in the back, as well as to the discs of the spinal cord. Since the back is so important in movement and many activities, sprains, strains, herniated discs, bulging discs, slipped discs, or pinched nerves can often immobilize a victim, resulting in the inability to work until the victim has recovered. Back injuries may also require surgery if they do not resolve through physical therapy.
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) – The spinal cord is essential in sending messages from the brain to the parts of the body to instruct them to move and function. Damage to the vertebrae, nerves, and other parts of the spinal cord can seriously disrupt movement, sensory abilities, and more in a victim. Some SCI victims end up either temporarily or permanently paralyzed in all body parts below the point of the injury on the spine. Paralysis is a serious disability that can require a victim to use a wheelchair and can limit their ability to work or even live independently.
- Amputations – In some cases, an accident may result in a victim having a finger, toe, hand, foot, arm, or leg crushed, shattered, or even completely severed from their body. Crushed or shattered bones that cannot be repaired may require removal of the limb or extremity. Amputation of any body part—even a finger or toe—can significantly impact a victim’s life in many different ways and treatment and recovery may be extremely costly. This is especially the case if an amputee requires a prosthesis.
- Burns – Burns of all varieties and severity can result from motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, electrocutions, home appliance malfunctions, and many more types of accidents. Burns can range from relatively superficial first-degree burns to serious and debilitating third or fourth-degree burns. The most serious burns can damage all layers of skin and even the muscle and tissue below the skin. According to the American Burn Association (ABA),[2] about 40,000 burn victims require extended stays in burn centers or hospitals due to the extensive and painful treatment that serious burns may require.
- Fractures – About 6 million fractured or broken bones happen each year, as reported by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS).[3] While a large number of broken bones require rest and immobilization to heal, other compound fractures may require serious surgical procedures that lead to an extensive recovery period. Some surgical patients may even need to stay in an assisted living facility if their homes are not compatible with wheelchairs and the other equipment they may need if they cannot walk.
- Internal organ damage – Accidents can often lead to many different kinds of internal organ damage including the following:
- Rupture of the abdominal aorta
- Punctured organs due to broken ribs
- Blunt trauma to the kidneys
- Ruptured spleen
- Punctured lung
- Internal bleeding
Any of the above requires emergency medical care and, if not treated, can be life-threatening.
Contact A Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorney Today
Whether you have been in a car accident, a fall, or any other type of accident, you should always discuss your rights to recovery for your injuries with a qualified Philadelphia personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Please call The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers at 215-825-5183 for a free consultation today.