When an accident results in a severe, life-altering injury, it may be classified as a “catastrophic injury” under Florida law. Our Cape Coral injury attorneys don’t simply use the term as hyperbole. It’s a term reserved for the type of injuries that will have profound physical, emotional, and financial consequences, often requiring long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and permanent lifestyle changes. The distinction matters because it can have an impact the amount of compensation that may be available in a personal injury case as well as how various parties proceed in handling it.
Defining Catastrophic Injury Under Florida Law
Although Florida doesn’t have a single, universal definition for catastrophic injury, it’s generally accepted to mean a permanent, debilitating injury that will require extensive medical treatment. Courts and insurance companies often consider an injury catastrophic when it prevents a person from working, performing daily activities, or living independently.
Per F.S. 766.118, catastrophic injuries in medical malpractice cases are recognized for purposes of non-economic damage caps. In general, non-economic damages (compensation for non-tangible impacts like pain and suffering) are capped at $500,000 per plaintiff for practitioner defendants (nurses, doctors, etc.) and $750,000 for non-practitioner defendants (hospitals, healthcare companies, etc.). The exception is if an individual’s injuries are deemed catastrophic.
Similarly, F.S. 627.737 sets a serious injury threshold for injuries in car accident cases. When a crash victim’s injuries meet the criteria for being “serious,” as outlined in statute, they can step outside of Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system and pursue damages over and above that. “Serious” in these cases means a significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death. Catastrophic injuries will pretty much always meet or exceed this threshold. That allows the injured person to pursue more monetary compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of life enjoyment, and emotional distress (among other damages).
What Injuries are Considered Catastrophic in a Cape Coral Injury Case?
F.S. 766.118 details some specific kinds of injuries that are automatically considered catastrophic in Florida medical malpractice cases, but it’s not necessarily limited to that list in other types of cases. Among the conditions cited:
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in severe paralysis of an arm, leg, or trunk
- Amputation of an arm, hand, foot or leg
- Severe brain injury or closed-head injury, as characterized by severe sensory motor disturbances, communication disturbances, cerebral function impairment, episodic neurological disorders, etc.
- Second-degree or third-degree burns on 25 percent or more of the total body surface or third-degree burns on 5 percent or more to the hands and face
- Blindness
- Loss of reproductive organs resulting in inability to procreate
Those who have suffered catastrophic injuries may need wheelchairs, therapy, ongoing medical support, home modifications, and lifelong medical care. Many face significant emotional trauma in addition to their physical challenges. Life will never be the same, and thus they can no longer enjoy their lives, their work, and their relationships as they once did. They may suffer chronic pain, and lose their ability to live independently.
Why Hiring an Injury Lawyer is Critical in Catastrophic Injury Cases
Catastrophic injuries are far more complex than standard personal injury claims. There’s a lot more at stake for everyone involved. Insurance companies tend to aggressively fight to minimize payouts. Without strong legal representation, victims risk receiving far less than they deserve.
A skilled Cape Coral personal injury lawyer can help you:
- Prove the extent of your injuries
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Fight to secure maximum compensation
- Take your case to trial if needed
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, your future depends on securing full and fair compensation. Don’t settle for less than you deserve.
If you are injured in Fort Myers, Naples or Key West, contact Garvin Injury Law at 800.977.7017 for a free initial consultation.
Additional Resources:
More Blog Entries:
What’s the Cost of Hiring a Cape Coral Personal Injury Lawyer? Aug. 19, 2024, Cape Coral Personal Injury Lawyer Blog