
A serious injury can change everything in an instant. Daily routines, work, relationships, and long term plans may all be affected at once. When an injury results in permanent or life altering consequences, it may be considered a catastrophic injury. Understanding what that designation means under Montana law can help injured individuals and families determine whether their situation involves more than a typical personal injury claim.
At Wall, McLean & Gallagher, our catastrophic injury attorneys work with people throughout Montana who are dealing with the long term impact of devastating injuries. Our firm helps clients understand whether their injury may qualify as catastrophic, what compensation may be available, and how to protect their future throughout the legal process. For many families, having clear guidance during this time provides both direction and peace of mind.
A personal injury caused by someone else’s negligence is typically considered catastrophic when it causes permanent damage that significantly limits a person’s physical or cognitive abilities. The focus is not only on the initial injury, but also on the lasting effects that follow.
Common characteristics of catastrophic injuries include:
Medical costs, lost income, and long term care needs are often substantial in these cases.
Catastrophic injuries can occur in many situations, including car accidents, truck collisions, workplace incidents, and serious falls. Certain injuries are more commonly recognized as catastrophic due to their severity and lasting effects.
Traumatic brain injuries can occur when your head is struck or violently shaken during an accident. These injuries are especially worrisome because symptoms may not be fully apparent right away and can worsen over time.
Effects of traumatic brain injury may include:
Traumatic brain injury cases often require extensive medical documentation and expert evaluation to account for long term treatment and care needs.
Spinal cord injuries frequently result from high impact accidents such as vehicle collisions or falls from significant heights. Depending on the location of the injury, a person may experience partial or complete paralysis.
Spinal cord injuries may lead to:
Spinal cord injury claims often involve significant future medical expenses and loss of earning capacity, making careful legal planning essential.
Amputation injuries involve the loss of a limb and are almost always considered catastrophic. These injuries can result from severe trauma or crushing accidents and often require lifelong adaptation.
Long term challenges associated with amputations may include:
Amputation injury cases must account for both immediate medical costs and future needs that can continue for decades.
Catastrophic injury cases differ from other personal injury claims because of their long term scope. Compensation must reflect not only what has already been lost, but what will be needed far into the future.
These cases often require detailed evaluation of:
Because the financial stakes are higher, insurance companies often scrutinize these claims more closely. Disputes over the severity of injuries or future limitations are common, which is why careful documentation and experienced legal representation are critical. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to properly account for all of the expenses related to a severe injury from lost wages, expensive accessibility equipment, future medical expenses, and more.
Legal help becomes especially important when an injury permanently alters a person’s life or ability to work. Serious injuries often require immediate legal attention to gather evidence, assess liability, and ensure that future costs are fully considered.
You may want to speak with a lawyer if:
An experienced catastrophic injury lawyer Montana residents rely on can help identify responsible parties, manage communications with insurers, and pursue compensation that reflects the true impact of the injury.
Wall, McLean & Gallagher fights for the injured, the wronged, and those too often overlooked. For Montana residents facing the life-altering consequences of a catastrophic injury, we provide experienced, relentless legal representation focused on securing the full and fair compensation our clients need to rebuild their lives.
Catastrophic injuries bring overwhelming physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Insurance companies understand how costly long-term medical care, rehabilitation, lost income, and permanent disability can be. These companies frequently use delay tactics, lowball offers, and legal loopholes to minimize what they pay. We know their strategies, and we refuse to let them take advantage of the severely injured.
If you believe your injury may qualify as catastrophic, contact us at (406) 442-1054 for your free, confidential consultation. Understanding whether an injury is catastrophic is an important step toward securing the support and resources needed for long term stability after a serious accident.