Severe medical issues create financial burdens that can persist for decades. Without proper legal representation to help you understand the true value of your claim, there’s a risk of accepting a settlement that leaves you struggling to cover essential care.
With more than 60 years of experience, the Texas catastrophic injury lawyers at Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group are ready to help. Let's examine what research tells us about the real costs of catastrophic injuries, and how our team establishes an evidence-based foundation to pursue proper compensation for you.
Immediate Financial Impact of Catastrophic Injuries: Emergency and Acute Care Costs
The first few days and weeks after a tragic accident often result in shocking medical bills. As you and your family struggle to adjust to a new normal, it’s critical to maintain thorough records that relate to all aspects of your health care. Our team then assesses your economic needs based on some of the following data. Here are just a few examples of the initial expenses involved in severe personal injuries people suffer in motor vehicle, industrial, or construction accidents.
Spinal Cord Injuries
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, initial hospitalization costs average $140,000 to $200,000 for severe spinal cord injuries. This doesn't include emergency transport, which can add $40,000 or more depending on whether air evacuation was needed.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that emergency department visits alone average $18,000 to $25,000. If surgery and intensive care were required, costs typically exceed $100,000 in the first week.
Severe Burns
According to the American Burn Center, someone with devastating burn injuries might stay in an intensive care unit for 30–45 days at a cost of “$6,000 per unventilated ICU day.” This expense doesn’t include extended care for skin grafts and other surgical procedures.
Amputations
Some studies indicate that, depending on the level of complications, standard costs are approximately $40,000 for this procedure, but can be as high as $70,000. Unfortunately, limb loss due to a catastrophic injury often creates other health complications.
Long-Term Picture of Catastrophic Care: Ongoing Medical Needs, Support, and Earning Potential
Catastrophic injury statistics only show a small segment of the greater picture. In our experience, the full financial impact of a life-altering injury extends far beyond initial treatment. How do you adapt to particular health and mobility needs? What are your daily needs now that differ from before? Will you be able to return to your profession, have to adapt to a new form of employment—or be able to work at all?
Establishing a sufficient catastrophic injury claim requires our skilled legal team at Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group to evaluate these and other factors to ensure nothing is left on the table that might help you or a loved one build a new life. We don’t generalize or “guesstimate” anything, as each case is different. But, here are just a few numbers to help you understand the scope of what a well-structured settlement should consider.
- The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation reports that living with paraplegia costs between $500,000 and $1 million in the first year, followed by roughly $70,000 annually in ongoing care and supplies.
- For severe traumatic brain injuries, the lifetime cost of care routinely surpasses $3 million, according to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIA). This includes:
- Rehabilitation services
- Home health care
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Medications
- Home modifications
- Specialized transportation needs
Many people with catastrophic injuries also suffer additional emotional, mental, and physical concerns, which complicates their health picture even more—especially when insurance won’t cover them.
Lost Income and Earning Potential
Beyond direct medical costs, catastrophic medical issues often result in permanent disability that affects earning capacity. The National Safety Council estimates that a person who becomes permanently disabled at age 25 will lose $1.8 to $2.5 million in wages over their lifetime.
When factoring in lost benefits, retirement contributions, and career advancement opportunities, the true economic impact can exceed $4 million for young professionals in high-earning fields.
Let Our Texas Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Help You Secure Fair Compensation
The financial reality of catastrophic injuries is daunting, but you don't have to face it alone. Our experienced legal team knows exactly how to calculate the full value of your injury compensation, working with medical experts, life care planners, and economists to document all current and future costs related to your circumstances. We can’t change what happened but trust that we strive to secure the medical and legal protection you deserve.