A catastrophic injury is a severe injury that has a considerable impact on the victim and requires a significant amount of medical treatment. Catastrophic injuries may not always be permanent, but they take months or years to heal and may have long-lasting physical and emotional effects. Examples of catastrophic injuries include severe injuries to the spine, spinal cord, brain, skull, or spinal fractures, loss of a limb, severe burns, amputations, multiple bone fractures, and organ damage. Catastrophic injuries can be caused by many factors, including automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, accidents in the workplace, defective products, toxic substances, birth injuries, and injuries due to fire or other disasters. The consequences of catastrophic injuries can be life-changing, and they often require post-acute rehab and involve a lifetime of medical treatment, multiple surgical procedures, and an extensive and difficult recovery process. Victims of catastrophic injuries may be awarded damages for the losses incurred, including medical costs, lost wages, loss of future income, and pain and suffering.