A catastrophic injury is one that permanently alters the way you live. These are injuries so severe they prevent you from returning to the same job, caring for yourself, or enjoying daily life the way you once did. Whether caused by a serious car crash, a fall, or another act of negligence, the impact reaches far beyond the initial trauma. At Stritmatter Law, we help individuals and families across Washington recover compensation for life-changing injuries and hold the responsible parties accountable.
What Makes an Injury ‘Catastrophic’?
In legal terms, there’s no single statute that defines a “catastrophic injury” in Washington. But in practice, these are injuries that result in long-term or permanent disability. They often involve significant loss of function, extensive medical treatment, and an inability to return to your previous job or lifestyle.
You’re not just recovering from an accident—you’re adjusting to a new reality. The medical care alone can be ongoing for years, and the emotional toll is just as serious. That’s why these claims tend to involve larger financial demands and more complex legal work.
Examples of Catastrophic Injuries
Some injuries are more likely to be considered catastrophic because of their severity and long-term consequences. These may include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Ranging from memory problems to permanent cognitive impairment.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These often result in partial or complete paralysis.
- Amputations: Losing a limb affects every part of your life, from mobility to independence.
- Severe Burns: Especially those requiring skin grafts or resulting in permanent scarring or disfigurement.
- Multiple Complex Fractures: Injuries that heal improperly or reduce mobility permanently.
These kinds of injuries often occur in:
- Motor vehicle collisions, including truck or motorcycle accidents
- Construction and industrial site accidents
- Falls from heights or unsafe premises
- Defective product incidents
When someone else’s actions or negligence cause this level of harm, you have the right to seek compensation.
Why the Severity of Injury Matters
The severity of a catastrophic injury affects more than just your health—it shapes the outcome of your legal claim. Insurance companies and defense lawyers often contest the long-term impact of an injury to reduce what they have to pay. That’s where a strong legal strategy comes in.
Catastrophic injury claims tend to include:
- Ongoing medical care, surgeries, or therapies
- Long-term loss of income or future earning potential
- Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
- Assistance with daily living or in-home care
The value of your case should reflect the true cost of your new reality, not just what you’ve already paid.
How We Can Help After a Catastrophic Injury
When the stakes are this high, you need legal support from a team that understands the road ahead. At Stritmatter Law, we’ve represented individuals and families in Seattle facing some of the toughest moments of their lives.
We will help you:
- Investigate the cause of the injury and build a strong liability case
- Work with medical professionals, economists, and care planners to calculate future needs
- Handle communication with insurance companies so you don’t have to
- Fight for a full and fair recovery that accounts for everything you’ve lost and everything you still need
You deserve to focus on your recovery while we handle the legal side of things.
Contact Our Experienced Seattle Catastrophic Injury Attorneys Today
If you or someone you love has suffered a catastrophic injury, don’t wait to learn your options. The sooner you reach out, the more we can do to protect your rights and secure the resources you need for long-term care and stability.
At Stritmatter Law, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today and let us help you take the next step forward.
