Sustaining a personal injury can have significant consequences, particularly when it leads to physical impairment. In Colorado, people who experience physical impairment or disfigurement as a result of becoming injured because of the negligence of another person may be entitled to additional compensation beyond the compensation they recover for economic damages (medical bills and lost wages) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, anxiety, etc).
What is Physical Impairment?
Physical impairment affects a person’s body, resulting in a loss or reduction of the way their body functions. More specifically, a physical impairment is a physiological alteration, disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, anatomical loss or pain. This means the person who has a physical impairment may also experience things like restricted mobility, reduced strength, impaired sensory abilities, and/or decreased coordination on a permanent basis.
Examples of a Physical Impairment in Colorado
While the list can be quite extensive, we wanted to give a few examples of physical impairments that could be relevant in your personal injury claim.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Severe head trauma that results in cognitive impairments, memory loss, motor skills, or sensory disturbances.
- Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): Damage to the spinal cord leading to paralysis, loss or sensation, or loss of bodily functions.
- Amputation: Loss of a limb or body part due to the personal injury incident.
- Orthopedic injuries: Fractures, dislocations, or severe soft tissue injuries affecting bones, joints, muscles, or ligaments, causing mobility limitations and chronic pain.
- Burns or Scars
- Vision Loss: Partial or total loss of vision due to the personal injury incident.
- Hearing Loss: Partial or complete loss of hearing due to the personal injury incident.
- Neck pain, which interferes with the ability to perform tasks
Damages Surrounding Physical Impairment and Disfigurement
Damages for physical impairment and disfigurement are a separate category of damages and are not included in the calculations for economic damages (ie. medical bills, lost wages) or noneconomic damages (such as pain and suffering). If someone tortiously inflicts an injury upon another, the injured person loses something valuable, which is different and independent from pain and suffering damages. A separate category for physical impairment and disfigurement damages is a necessary and important element in making an injured Plaintiff whole.
Seeking Legal Representation
Physical impairment and disfigurement resulting from a personal injury will have significant consequences on a person’s life. Seeking appropriate legal recourse is vital to ensure that your rights and your future are protected. If you find yourself injured because of the negligence of someone else, consult an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately. At Debbie Taussig Law, we have the experience you need to help guide you through the personal injury process and get you compensated for your injuries in every way available to you by law.
Remember, you never have to fight the insurance companies alone. Call us today for a free claim evaluation.
