Catastrophic injuries happen every day in California – but that doesn’t make it any easier when the victim is someone you love. If a person close to you suffers a traumatic brain injury, paralyzing spinal cord injury, amputation or another catastrophic injury, there are immediate and long-term actions you can take to make life easier and more rewarding for you both.
Understand Their Medical Condition
Learn as much as you can about your loved one’s physical injuries and medical status. Speak to their doctors and get second opinions from specialists. Organize a long-term care plan with their health care providers and decide what role you will play in your relative’s recovery and daily care. Document everything carefully by keeping copies of medical records, bills and treatment plans.
Look for Ways to Help
There may be steps and actions you can take to help your loved one deal with the physical, emotional and financial effects of a catastrophic injury. Examples include:
- Find support groups, therapists or psychiatrists for your loved one
- Take your loved one to doctor’s appointments
- Handle daily care needs as much as possible
- Organize your loved one’s prescription medications to prevent mix-ups
- Handle relevant insurance claims
- File for government disability benefits for financial relief
- Apply for the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program if you are their caregiver
- Schedule a free consultation with a catastrophic injury lawyer to explore legal options
Decide how much you are capable and willing to take on. If possible, share caregiving responsibilities with other trusted individuals in your family so that 100 percent of the burden doesn’t fall on you.
Adapt Their Living Environment
Improve your loved one’s daily quality of life and foster greater independence by implementing accommodations for any disabilities. Look into home and vehicle modifications for more accessibility in common spaces, such as wider doorways, wheelchair ramps and lifts, sensory changes, and grab bars in bathrooms. Consider whether a service animal would be helpful.
Be Supportive and Empathetic
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for a catastrophically injured loved one is to express your sympathy, care, love and support to them. They are undergoing an immense change in their lifestyle, habits, career and future. Be there for your loved one as much as you can to offer support. Encourage professional counseling if their emotional needs exceed what you can provide.
Prevent Caregiver Burnout
If you take over the role of your loved one’s primary caregiver, it is important to look out for your own needs as you navigate this tough time. Caregiver burnout is a very real and dangerous thing. You cannot take care of someone else if you don’t first care for yourself. Prioritize self-care, take breaks and ask for help when you need it.
Consider Taking Legal Action
In California, a representative acting on behalf of a catastrophically injured person can file a personal injury claim if the victim is mentally or physically incapacitated. You may have the ability to seek justice and financial compensation from the negligent party that caused your loved one’s life-changing injury.
A just settlement or judgment award could help your family pay for necessary medical care, make up for lost wages and plan for the future with greater peace of mind. Start by collecting evidence and information, including proof of your loved one’s losses. Then, bring your case documents to a free review with an attorney near you to explore legal options.