These action steps might help ease a catastrophic injury

On Behalf of Holmes & Wiseley, P.C.

Catastrophic injuries, including those that affect the brain, can leave your loved one’s life forever changed. In addition to their newfound physical limitations, they may struggle with the emotional and financial realities of their situation. Taken as a whole, the harm that has been caused to them can be completely overwhelming. This can lead to a sense of dread for the future and a sense of hopelessness.  But there are certain things that you and your loved one can do to minimize the impact of a catastrophic injury, which may spark some hope and allow your loved one to reclaim certain parts of his or her life.

Tips for coping with a catastrophic injury

There’s no one step that you can take to remedy all the issues that come with a catastrophic injury. However, by following some of these helpful steps, you and your loved one may be able to make significant progress.

• Find acceptance: Accepting a serious injury takes time, especially if it affects your daily living. One of the best ways to find acceptance is to allow yourself to feel the range of emotions that come to you. They are completely natural.
• Be realistic: There are probably going to be limitations moving forward. Don’t set the bar too high as far as what can be done physically, as doing so might just leave you disappointed and angrier. Realistic goals can give you a sense of accomplishment over your injury.
• Focus on what’s important: Your injury might take a lot away from you, but it probably won’t take away a lot of the things that are really important to you, such as your family, friends, and maybe even your favorite hobbies. By shifting your focus to these things, you can minimize your injury’s impact on your life.
• Seek help: We know it’s hard to ask for help, whether from a doctor, mental health professional, an attorney, or family and friends. But all of these people are here to help you when needed. Don’t for one second think that you are weak when you seek the support that you need.
• Prepare for your life ahead: There are going to be a lot of changes in your life. Prepare for them as best as possible. Look into remodeling your home to fit your needs, securing a vehicle that allows you to get around, and securing the long-term care that you’ll need. Engaging in more preparation on the front end can ease your stress in the long run.

Know how to secure the resources you need

A lot of these steps are going to cost a significant amount of money. Don’t let that daunt you into inaction, though. Instead, learn more about what you can do to put yourself in the best position possible to recover the resources that you need. An attorney might be able to provide you with some guidance that can set you on a path that makes it easier for you to find comfort in your new life.

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