Catastrophic Injury Attorney
Suffering a catastrophic injury carries a lifetime of consequences, physically, emotionally, and personally. The costs associated with the necessary medical and nursing care, alterations to a home to allow for wheelchair access, the need for custom prosthetics, and the need for ongoing medical treatment, will range into the hundreds of thousands of dollars within just a few months, and in the millions over a lifetime. In addition to the physical pain, there are lasting emotional injuries and life-altering changes. Contacting an experienced catastrophic injury attorney as soon as possible after the event is one of the most important things to do when you are facing this situation.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries can happen in a number of ways. Some of the most common ways include car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, defective products, workplace accidents, medical malpractice, public transportation accidents, and even intentional acts against another person or people.
Some injuries someone can receive include but are not limited to, the following:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Severe burns
- Partial or complete amputation
- Broken bones
- Eye injuries
- Facial injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis, including paraplegia and quadriplegia
- Neurological disorders
- Joint and limb injuries
Damages in Catastrophic Injury Cases
Catastrophic injuries are life-changing. Because of this, the person who suffered these injuries will no longer be able to maintain the quality of life they enjoyed prior to their accident. A skilled catastrophic injury attorney will know whether or not they have a case, as well as who can be held liable and what damages to pursue. Catastrophic injury survivors are eligible to receive both compensatory and punitive damages. An insurance adjuster will utilize a formula to determine the number of damages someone might be able to receive depending on the severity of the injuries. An attorney will be able to determine whether the estimated damages are fair. They will also determine whether the case should be settled in or out of court.
Compensatory Damages
Someone who has sustained catastrophic injuries is eligible for compensation, including both economic and non-economic damages. Non-economic damages can include past and future pain and suffering, loss of family, social, and educational experiences, emotional trauma, and loss of quality of life.
Economic damages are quantifiable. They include medical bills, rehabilitation bills, loss of income, loss of pension, and if applicable to the situation, property damage. A catastrophic injury lawyer will be able to determine what damages to pursue.
Punitive Damages
Someone who has sustained catastrophic injuries can also potentially be eligible for punitive damages. These are very rarely awarded and are reserved for when a gross act of negligence, malpractice, or other harm has been perpetrated on an individual. Punitive damages serve to act as both a punishment against the person or entity who caused harm to the plaintiff and a deterrent against individuals or entities who might otherwise act in a similar manner and can be awarded at up to ten times the amount of compensatory damages. It is up to the judge or jury as to whether punitive damages should be pursued in someone’s catastrophic injury case, however.
Importance of a Catastrophic Injury Attorney
At Malloy Law Offices, LLC, your injury case will be managed by a team of catastrophic injury lawyers with extensive experience and success in cases of serious injury. We provide legal counsel in English, Spanish and Russian to serve a larger number of DMV residents. We provide professional, trusted, legal representation on a contingency fee basis.
If you are living with the consequences of a catastrophic injury, you have the right to claim the maximum possible compensation. Contact our catastrophic injury attorneys today. They will go over the facts of your case during your free consultation and help you through this difficult process.