Unfortunately, some injuries lead to permanent disabilities, either partial or total. A permanent disability is any loss of ability that will continue for the remainder of the victim’s life, and at least partially impair the person’s ability to work or perform other day-to-day activities.

A permanent disability is often a major, life-changing event for victims and their families. In addition to the disability itself, disabled accident victims also face a higher risk of medical complications than uninjured people and often suffer profound emotional injuries because of their disabilities. Those with permanent disabilities may require extensive medical help, such as home health care nurses, extensive inpatient medical care and rehabilitation, or the need for long-term accommodation in an assisted living facility. Someone who has suffered a permanent disability is much more likely to recover a large judgment than someone who has fully recovered.