When people classify an injury as catastrophic, they usually mean that the injury in question has resulted in permanent consequences. Spinal cord injuries cause lifelong functional limitations, and they also cause permanent financial challenges in the form of increased medical expenses and decreased earning potential.
People also frequently categorize brain injuries and amputations as catastrophic injuries. When compared with those severe medical experiences, a broken bone may not seem particularly problematic. After all, doctors can treat broken bones with high rates of success. Many people with fractures experience a full recovery. However, some broken bones are catastrophic injuries with lasting medical and financial implications.
What scenarios might turn a treatable injury into a catastrophic one?
A comminuted fracture
People often gauge the severity of broken bones based on how significant the damage is. When the bone breaks into multiple small pieces, that is one of the worst breaks possible. Comminuted fractures often require surgery to set the bone. The injured person may require pins or rods to support the damaged bone as it heals. They may have lingering functional limitations and pain despite undergoing necessary medical care.
An open or compound fracture
People don’t know that they have a comminuted fracture right after they get hurt. However, people know when they have an open or compound fracture. These broken bones force their way through the skin, causing horrific wounds and generating dangerous levels of blood loss. They also put people at risk of severe infections. Like comminuted fractures, open fractures generally require surgery to treat and have a much longer recovery timeline.
Fractures that heal improperly
Broken bones typically heal with appropriate medical intervention. Unfortunately, not everyone heals the same. In some cases, a fracture results in the development of a debilitating, permanent nerve condition. People who heal from fractures and then notice their pain levels increasing may have complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The condition may affect their strength and range of motion and may cause chronic pain that interferes with their daily lives.
When a fracture from a car crash proves to be a catastrophic injury, the person with the broken bone may have expenses that go beyond the insurance available. Recognizing that even seemingly treatable injuries can be catastrophic injuries may help people avoid mistakes when seeking compensation after a car crash.