The purpose of this paper is to examine four case studies on the effects of injuries on adult career development. The four cases are taken from published judgements in the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Supreme Courts. Each case is analysed in terms of the person's background, the key issues and the demonstrable impact on educational and vocational development. As expected, these selected cases highlight the catastrophic effects of injuries on expected career development. This was viewed as a function of the person's background and the type of accident and the associated injuries. Sometimes there is evidence of a return to work but it is qualitatively and quantitatively different from what might be expected had the accident not occurred. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)