What Are Catastrophic Occupational Injuries?

Injuries are catastrophic when their impact results in either life altering disability or death.  Examples of catastrophic occupational injuries include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, electrocution, severe burns, multiple fractures, and more.

The cause of such injuries may be the result of a defective product, a defendant’s failure to provide adequate warnings or instruction, or another’s negligent conduct. 

What is Worker's Compensation?

Workers compensation is a system of compensation for work-related injuries or death, paid for by an employer’s compensation insurance contributions. The system generally provides that workers cannot sue their employers for negligence.

For those cases where someone is responsible for your injuries other than, or in addition to, your employer, it still may be possible to pursue a civil lawsuit. As workers compensation payments generally are inadequate to make up for the losses suffered in catastrophic situations, it is important for you to investigate all possible means of obtaining reparation.

Additionally, if you are injured while working at sea or while employed by a railroad, federal statutes and law exist which allow you to pursue damages outside of the traditional workers compensation system.