Most storefronts feature a considerable amount of glass for obvious reasons. Glass allows passing residents to see merchandise or inspect the interior of a restaurant before deciding whether to walk inside. Glass also allows plenty of natural light into the premises, creating a more pleasant atmosphere. However, glass storefronts also pose serious hazards to residents, as they may shatter and cause various injuries. Shattering glass is particularly common in the event of a storefront crash in Owings Mills. What can you do if you were injured by one of these incidents?
Blindness
Flying shards of glass can easily cause blindness after a storefront crash. Even relatively small glass fragments may impact or lacerate eyeballs, causing permanent blindness. This blindness may be partial or total, and doctors may be forced to remove entire eyeballs if they are sufficiently lacerated.
Blindness is one of the most life-altering injuries imaginable, and victims may struggle for the rest of their days to regain some sense of normality. They may require assistance with daily tasks, and they may completely lose their sense of independence. Often, those who have suffered blindness suffer from serious psychological issues – with some being driven to suicide.
Disfiguring Lacerations
Flying shards of glass may also cause a range of lacerations across the body and face. While the human body can heal effectively in many situations, sometimes a full recovery is impossible. As a result, victims may be left with disfiguring scars that affect not only their health, but also their psychological well-being.
Disfigurement is considered a non-economic damage according to Maryland law, which means you can pursue additional compensation for this serious issue. Disfigurement typically increases your total compensation, allowing you to pursue justice and closure after such a life-altering event.
Amputations
In particularly serious storefront crashes, glass sections may completely sever limbs. This leaves victims with amputations that affect them for the rest of their lives. Amputations may also occur if the victim arrives at hospital with serious lacerations. In this case, doctors may conclude that the limb is beyond saving. For example, a victim may suffer a deep laceration to their finger after a storefront crash – to the point where it is literally “hanging by a thread.”
Like blindness and disfiguring lacerations, amputations can affect not only health outcomes but also psychological well-being. Many amputees struggle with serious issues related to self-esteem and self-worth. They may also fight lifelong battles against suicidal ideations and depression.
Find a Qualified, Experienced Storefront Crash Lawyer in Owings Mills
If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced Baltimore catastrophic injury lawyer, look no further than Furman Honick. We have been assisting injured plaintiffs in Maryland for many years, and we know how serious these crashes can be. With our help, you can pursue compensation for the various injuries that may have been caused by flying shards of glass. Book your consultation today to learn more.
Sources:
ehs.research.uiowa.edu/glass-and-other-sharps-injury-and-illness-prevention-labs
chicagowindowexpert.com/construction-expert-service/broken-glass-injury/