Why Catastrophic Injury Claims Can Involve Future Damages

 Posted on June 14, 2025 in Catastrophic Injuries

If you have been grievously injured in an accident caused by another person, you may have a legal recourse to get paid for your damages. However, before launching into a claim, you should consider how much your claim is worth. If your injuries have long-term implications, you may be entitled to more than just payment for medical expenses. A Joliet, IL personal injury attorney can represent you in a claim to fight for your right to compensation after a serious accident.

At Schwartz Injury Law, we understand just how devastating a catastrophic injury can be to your overall health, happiness, and future. That is why we advocate for a full payout in every case we handle, using shrewd negotiation strategies to work toward desirable outcomes. In prior cases we have handled, we secured millions of dollars through dedicated representation, including a $5.1 million settlement on behalf of a woman who suffered catastrophic injuries in an auto accident.

What Are Catastrophic Injuries?

"Catastrophic injury" is a term used in personal injury law to describe particularly serious or life-altering damage. Oftentimes, people who have suffered catastrophic injuries are forever changed, and it can have a major impact on their quality of life. Common examples of catastrophic injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury, or TBI

• Amputated limbs

• Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis

• Severe burns

• Internal organ damage

• Eye injuries resulting in partial or full blindness

• Ear injuries resulting in partial or full deafness

If you or somebody you love has suffered a catastrophic injury due to somebody else’s carelessness, you should get in contact with a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as possible. At Schwartz Injury Law, we can help you file a personal injury claim against the party at fault. Our lawyers can give you an idea of how much your case is worth and pursue the best course of action on your behalf.

How Do Catastrophic Injuries Occur?

The frightening thing about catastrophic injuries is that they can occur virtually anywhere. Car accidents and especially truck accidents are known to result in catastrophic injury due to high-speed collisions. Though safety innovations in vehicle technology and roadway maintenance have helped to reduce the damage caused by these collisions, some dangerous kinds of accidents like rollover accidents or head-on collisions carry an inherent risk of serious bodily harm.

Other kinds of accidents may also carry the risk of permanent harm. For instance, a slip and fall onto a hard surface can easily put you in danger of a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord fracture. Identifying the cause of a catastrophic injury is important for getting compensation for your damages. At Schwartz Injury Law, our attorneys will review all available evidence to reconstruct the accident and represent you as you pursue your claim.

Why Getting Medical Treatment Is Important for Catastrophic Injuries

After suffering from a catastrophic injury, you should seek medical attention at the earliest opportunity. While this may sound obvious, the reason for this is twofold. Aside from getting necessary treatment for your injuries and protecting yourself from further harm, you can greatly benefit from having a detailed report of your condition on record by a professional.

During the process of negotiating for a settlement, the liable party (usually an insurance company) may attempt to downplay the extent of your injuries to avoid paying you in full. This is why it is important to have medical documentation about your injury prepared when you file your claim. At Schwartz Injury Law, we can help you compile this information to show the extent of your injuries. We will argue for a payout that affords you coverage to recover from your injuries as much as possible.

The Long-Term Impact of a Catastrophic Injury

Your life may change drastically after a catastrophic injury. Depending on the extent of your damages, you may not be able to enjoy the same activities or hobbies that you used to. You may not even be able to return to work. As a rule, once you accept a settlement, you will not be able to get any further compensation. With that in mind, it is incredibly important to consider how your catastrophic injury has affected your life – and how it will affect your life in the future.

Our attorneys can help you account for your present and future losses in a personal injury case. In your final claim, you could be compensated for not only your medical expenses, but your loss of income as well. You might also receive compensation for non-economic damages, such as your pain and suffering and a reduced quality of life.

How Can I Get Compensation for a Catastrophic Injury?

When you file a personal injury claim against the party responsible for your injuries, you must supply proof of that party’s negligence. For example, if you suffered a severe back injury in a slip and fall accident at a restaurant, you could point to the lack of a ‘wet floor’ sign to alert you of the danger. At Schwartz Injury Law, we can carry out the hard work of investigating the scene of the accident as we compile evidence of the other party’s fault.

After investigating your claim, we can start negotiating with the liable party for compensation. If you are contacted by an insurance representative during the investigation, avoid saying anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault, because that could result in your claim being denied. At Schwartz Injury Law, we can address all questions from the other party as we push for a full settlement. If necessary, we are prepared to take your case to court.

Contact a Kendall County, IL Personal Injury Attorney

Catastrophic injuries are traumatic in more ways than one. If you or somebody you love has suffered from life-altering damages in an accident caused by someone else, Schwartz Injury Law is here to assist. Our Joliet, IL catastrophic injury lawyers can explore your possible avenues for compensation, providing you with personalized attention from the start to the end of your case.

We are ready to start discussing your case with you today. Call our offices at 708-888-2160 to set up a free consultation.