Accidental Injuries that Can Cause Disabilities

Friday, March 11, 2022

Accidental Injuries that Can Cause Disabilities

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

You are probably familiar with the story of actor Christopher Reeve. He was thrown off a horse in a riding competition, and it left him paralyzed, relying on a wheelchair and breathing machines to live. He required nursing care 24/7 and ultimately died from his injuries. Accidents happen in a second and can cause life-long, devastating disabilities.

If you suffered a disabling injury, discuss your rights with a personal injury law firm right away. 

Know the Facts

Car accidents are prevalent today. Here is an idea of just how pervasive and devastating these types of crashes are:

1. Over 1.2 million are disabled in the U.S. because of car accidents.
2. Over 40% of those disabled in car crashes are not able to hold jobs.
3. A car accident that results in paralysis costs over half a million dollars in medical treatment and specialty equipment on average.

Brain Injuries

TBI, or traumatic brain injuries, can impact one’s ability to see, hear, move, as well as to process, think, compute, and perform other key functions. Like Christopher Reeve’s spinal injury, TBIs can also cause paralysis. The cost of an accident-related TBI generally ranges from $85,000 to $3,000,000.

Amputations

Many amputees are able to learn new ways to do the things they need to do minus a leg or arm. However, many lose the careers they had spent years and years preparing for, in addition to requiring specialized equipment to do basic things like walking or eating. Amputees often need pricey modifications made to their homes, vehicles, clothing, and lifestyles. A basic prosthetic leg costs $3,000 to $10,000. A specialized prosthesis, for example, required for athletics, can cost as much as $70,000. Finally, one isolating result of losing a limb is the intense physical and emotional suffering (phantom pain, trauma, depression) so common with this devastating injury.

Severe Burns

Burns are the #4 most prevalent trauma worldwide. Third degree burns often lead to devastating infections, nerve damage, permanent scarring, loss of skin sensation, and blindness. Fourth degree burns destroy all the tissue down to the bone, which can result  in amputations and organ failure.

Cost of Permanent Disability 

Car crashes cost the U.S. $230 billion annually. A huge part of that figure is the insanely high cost of on-going care for those disabled by car accident injuries. For example, going back to our example of Christopher Reeve, here is the price tag for a typical spinal cord injury in the first 6-12 months after it occurs : 

1. High Neck Injury – Quadrapelegic: $1,064,716 
2. Upper Spine Injury – Quadrapelegic: $769,351 
3. Lower Spine Injury – Paraplegic: $347,484 

Once being released from the hospital, the on-going costs for a spinal cord injury are:  

1. High Neck Injury – Quadrapelegic: $184,891 
2. Upper Spine Injury – Quadrapelegic: $113,423 
3. Lower Spine Injury – Paraplegic: $68,739

Due to these staggering costs, it is paramount that you contact an experienced attorney for guidance.

Get Help from a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been disabled in a car accident, you need a tough, experienced lawyer in your corner. Let Malman Law advocate for you. To set up a free, no-obligation legal consultation, contact us today.