How can I deal with a life-changing injury?
Catastrophic Injury/Wrongful Death - June 22, 2022
From the increased medical bills to changing the type of work you can do, a life-changing injury has far-reaching impacts. It affects you, your family, and even your co-workers.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to improve your quality of life after such an injury. Keep reading for tips and advice on dealing with a serious injury, then call Horwitz Law Firm at (800) 985-1819 for your free case consultation.
What Counts as a Life-Changing Injury
As the name implies, this kind of injury includes any type of full or partial loss of bodily function.
From complete paralysis to decreased hearing or vision, if it causes your lifestyle to change noticeably, it could be considered a life-changing injury.
Causes of Life-Changing Injuries
Determining what caused your injuries will help you deal with them after. There are different people to contact and forms to fill out, depending on where the injury happened and why.
These are the most common causes of life-changing injuries:
- Car Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Work Injuries
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Defective Products
- Dog or Animal Bites or Injuries
How an Injury Impacts Your Life
Minor injuries are inconvenient – maybe you have to keep the weight off your ankle for a day or you have a headache that is easy to manage with medicine.
Life-changing injuries can affect any area of your life long-term.
Change Your Job
If the injuries make it impossible for you to continue in your current position at work, you might have to find another job. Some people are unable to work at all because their injuries are so severe.
Others must find less physically demanding occupations, putting them into an entirely different career field.
Loss of Income at Current Job
Injuries might cause you to miss a significant amount of work to go to doctor’s appointments. Hospitalization could also mean a decrease in your paycheck.
If your injuries are serious enough, you might even miss out on expected promotions or raises.
Impacts Personal Life
These injuries can affect your family and friends too, which can have a noticeable impact on your personal life.
For example, if you lost physical mobility in your legs, you might require assistance getting dressed at first, or you might need a handicap-accessible vehicle.
Not all changes are negative, but they do require those around you to adjust as well.
How to Deal With a Life-Changing Injury
If you experienced a life-changing injury, there are a few different things you can do to make the adjustment easier and smoother. These are just the ideas that might make the biggest impact; it is not a complete or exhaustive list.
Find a Doctor You Trust
These injuries could require a lot of follow-up care and might even lead to other health issues later on. It is important that you find a physician that understands your current health and how your previous health might impact it.
Seek Counseling
Adjusting to your injuries might affect your mood and anxiety, leading to depression. Find a counselor or therapist that can teach you coping skills to make it through this stressful time.
Depending on the extent of your injuries, they might even suggest medication or group therapy might be a better fit.
Take Medication
Listen to the advice of your physicians and take the medications they prescribe. If you are having adverse reactions or having trouble remembering to take all of them, discuss this with your doctor.
It is better to change your medications under the supervision of the doctor than to just stop taking them on your own.
Surround Yourself With a Support Group
Life-changing injuries are stressful and you will need the support of family and friends. Create a circle of people around you that will help you with whatever you need – a shoulder to cry on, transportation to appointments, or even researching different doctors.
These types of injuries are exhausting, stressful, and confusing. Having people around you that encourage and help you will make the entire experience so much more positive.
Receive Just Compensation
If you were injured while at work, in a car accident, or because of a defective product (or any other reason) then you might be entitled to compensation. This money can help you pay for doctor’s bills and make up for the lost wages.
Contact an Attorney
If you have any questions about how to receive compensation for a life-changing injury, please contact an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer at Horwitz Law Firm. Call (800) 985-1819 now for a free case consultation.
