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Most people will experience a serious injury at some point in their lives. This includes broken bones, sprains, cuts, and severe bruises. Many times, this happens as the result of a car wreck. In other instances, it may be due to a sports-related or on-the-job accident. Although upsetting at the time, most of these injuries will heal and we will return to our normal lives. In some cases, though, these injuries can be more severe. In the event of a catastrophic injury, the recovery process can be long, painful, and complicated. This may include ongoing rehabilitation. If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury, you might be entitled to compensation for your ongoing treatment.
What is Considered a Catastrophic Injury in Iowa?
Catastrophic injuries are any injuries that have a lasting, permanent impact on a person’s quality of life. For this reason, they are also known as life altering injuries. Some examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Partial or Full Paralysis
- Loss of Limbs
- Loss of Vision
- Impeded Mobility
- Brain Damage
- Severe Organ Damage
- Severe Disfigurement
Catastrophic injuries can be sustained in any way, from car wrecks to faulty consumer products to workplace negligence. While a person’s life may be permanently altered by a catastrophic injury, many people are able to go on to lead long, fulfilling lives. However, these individuals almost always require some form of rehabilitation in order to restore and improve their quality of life. This can be an expensive and ongoing process.
What is Rehabilitation for Catastrophic Injuries?
Rehabilitation is any medical treatment meant to improve a patient’s quality of life. It is a process in which physical, sensory, and mental functions are restored or improved after being damaged. Examples of rehabilitation for a life-altering injury include:
- Physical Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
- Occupational Therapy
- Pharmacorehabilitation
Physical therapy aims to help individuals regain or improve the use of body parts injured in an accident. Speech therapy helps individuals learn to speak again or improve their speech. Cognitive rehabilitation is a type of rehab for those who have suffered brain damage or a traumatic brain injury. Occupational therapy helps individuals re-learn how to go about daily tasks and activities, while pharmacorehabilitation uses prescription medications to alleviate chronic pain and improve a person’s quality of life.
These are only a few types of the rehabilitation someone may require following a catastrophic injury. In some cases, such as physical or speech therapy, the process may be long but finite. Finite means the person reaches a point where they have improved as much as they can and further therapy won’t help any more.
In other cases, such as cognitive rehabilitation and pharmacorehabilitation, the process may last for years or even the rest of the person’s life. For example, a person may need to be on medications to treat chronic pain for an extended period. If a person suffered severe organ damage and requires surgery or a transplant, they may need ongoing medical care such as dialysis pending treatment. Long-term or permanent rehabilitation services are not only time consuming but expensive.
Can I Be Compensated for Rehabilitation for a Catastrophic Injury in Iowa?
People who suffer catastrophic injuries are entitled to financial compensation, including compensation for all past and future medical expenses. This means even if a person is still undergoing rehabilitation at the time they make a settlement, that settlement should include provisions to cover their ongoing medical bills.
Because rehabilitation is such a long and costly process, insurance companies will do their best to limit settlement amounts. They may attempt to pressure individuals to quickly accept small, lump-sum settlements. This saves them from having to pay for the total cost of rehabilitation and ongoing treatment.
Remember, once someone has agreed to an insurance company settlement, they can no longer attempt to collect more money. This means if someone takes a payment from the company that doesn’t cover the cost of future medical expenses, that person will be entirely responsible for his or her own bills. This is the case even if the ongoing expenses are related to the injury they accepted a settlement for. This is why it’s important to consult an attorney before dealing with an insurance company. An experienced attorney will review your medical information and treatment plan and determine a fair settlement that covers all of your medical and rehabilitation expenses, past and future.
What Should I Do if I Need Rehabilitation for a Catastrophic Injury in Iowa?
If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury, insurance companies will fight you every step of the way. Because of the amount of money potentially involved, they’ll attempt to pressure or intimidate you into accepting a smaller settlement than you deserve. This amount may not include adequate compensation to cover ongoing rehabilitation costs. If you accept this settlement, you will be unable to collect any more money from the insurance company.
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in Iowa, don’t hesitate to contact Danny Cornell at Cornell Injury Law. We’re located at 111 E Washington St., Mount Pleasant, IA 52641, half a mile Northwest of Lincoln Elementary School and one mile East of Up Dog RV & Camping.
Danny specializes in personal injury cases and has a particular interest in getting justice for people who have suffered catastrophic injuries. As a former member of the US Armed Forces and experienced minister, he has a deep respect for the value of human life. This means he has little patience for insurance companies who don’t want to pay what they owe. He wants to see every one of his clients live their best possible lives. Danny brings this passion into the courtroom and is unrelenting in dealing with insurance companies that don’t want to pay their fair share. Over the last thirty years he’s won countless cases for his clients and he can win your case, too.
If you or a loved one needs rehabilitation following a catastrophic injury, call Danny Cornell at Cornell Injury Law today at 319-946-4019 or email him for a free consultation. The road to rehabilitation is long, but Danny Cornell can make it less difficult. Don’t settle for less than you’re owed; contact Cornell Injury Law today.
