Some individuals walk away from accidents with minor injuries while others are not so lucky and end up with injuries that completely change their lives. A catastrophic injury is a personal injury that is extremely severe. This type of injuries results in ongoing pain, loss of life or limb or disability (physical or mental). Accidents can change your life in the blink of an eye because at one point, you could be just fine and in the next, you can face paralysis, severe injuries and even death.
At Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney, we have an extensive experience in handling catastrophic injuries. We do thorough evaluations on present and future lost wages, potential medical expenses, and other costs that are related to the incident over a lifetime for an individual who has suffered catastrophic injuries. We understand the effects that such situations can have on you and your family. You can trust that we will fight for you to ensure that those who were responsible are held accountable for their behavior. Call us now for a free case evaluation at 424-231-2013. We have a team ready to assist you anytime 24/7.
What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?
Serious injuries can have a great impact on the physical, emotional and financial aspects of the victim’s life. A catastrophic injury, on the other hand, results in permanent disabilities that affect the wellbeing of an individual completely. These injuries not only affect the victim but also the family. This is because the family members will have to make sacrifices to ensure their loved one has adequate care and attention needed for their condition. This, therefore, results in financial and emotional burden to the victims and close family members.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
There are many types of injuries that undoubtedly change the life of the victim and have long lasting symptoms. This, therefore, means that there will be a continuous need for medications, treatment, or rehabilitation. To ensure that all the costs are covered for, the victim and their family members should consult the services of a certified personal injury attorney. Some of the most common catastrophic injuries include:
- Spinal Cord Injuries
When an individual is injured on the neck or back, the spinal cord may end up being traumatized. These types of injuries also affect the nerves at the tip of the spinal canal. The spinal cord is responsible for transmitting signals from the brain to the rest of the body. This, therefore, means that any disturbance can result in indefinite changes in touch, strength or other bodily functions supported by the spinal injury. Spinal cord injuries often result in paraplegia or quadriplegia (paralysis) which makes the casualty of using a wheelchair for the rest of his/her life.
- Traumatic Brain injuries
These injuries may cause moderate to severe cognitive impairment. Severe brain damage can lead to permanent consequences such as neurological dysfunction. In severe cases, the brain trauma can lead to bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other damages of the brain structure which can result in neurological deficits and even death. Approximately 1.7 million people sustain a TBI annually according to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Amputation
These types of injuries lead to full or partial loss of any of your limbs. This may occur at the accident scene or in some cases; doctors are forced to perform an amputation if the limb can’t be saved because the injuries were too severe. If the accident involves an amputation, the casualty may be unable to work or return to their jobs.
- Internal organ damage
In a serious accident or fall, it is probable for an individual to sustain severe internal organs damage. This, therefore, implies that if the lungs, liver, heart, spleen or other critical organs are damaged permanently, every aspect of the casualty’s life will be affected.
- Multiple bone Fractures
When a victim sustains multiple bone fractures the effects are usually there for a long time because of the extended time required for recovery. There are individuals who suffer multiple bone fractures and never get back their strength and mobility and therefore end up experiencing a lifetime of lessened physical abilities.
- Burn Injuries
Severe burns can bring about lasting deformation and nerve damage. Burn injuries are viewed as catastrophic when a considerable segment of the body is permanently damaged.
Our lawyers will bring together a team modified to your particular situation and this involves making consultations with professionals in medicine and accidents to prove that negligence occurred. This as well involves noting down the effects it has and will continue to have in your life. We will ensure that you have the best representation to enable you to get maximum remuneration for the injuries.
The Most Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Accidents that lead to catastrophic injuries happen in an assortment of ways including, but not limited to:
- Car and motorcycle crash: When car crashes happen at high-speed impact, head and spine injuries often occur. A rider tossed from a motorcycle or a driver involved in a T-bone mishap may sustain a skull fracture, broken back, or spinal cord injury which may cause permanent brain damage.
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents: Individuals who are walking or riding a bicycle have no considerable protection if they happen to be hit by an auto. While bicycle helmets are designed to avert skull fractures in the event of a collision, they cannot help casualties evade neck and back injuries or concussions.
- Dangerous products: Products that are not properly tested before they are released to the market may have adverse effects to one’s health. Other examples of defective products include toys with small detachable parts that may choke infants, ladders that are not properly designed, and generator releasing carbon monoxide. These are risky products that may cause catastrophic injuries.
- Medical malpractice: If anything happens to an individual because of a surgical error, then the casualty may end up being deprived of the ability to walk again. A mistake in administering medications or anesthesia or a medical malpractice during childbirth may lead to brain injuries or lifelong disabilities.
- Hazardous property conditions: A good example of dangerous property conditions is an uncovered neighbor’s swimming pool which if a child drowns will be left with oxygen deprivation that may have lifelong damages. Slippery surfaces may cause falls that may prompt catastrophic head and back injuries as well as multiple bone fractures. If the conditions at work are dangerous to the well-being of the employees, then the business and property owners are liable for the harm.
- Sport activity injuries: Injuries that are as a result of physical games are part of the dangers that come with this amusement. In some instances, the coaches or trainers enhance the risks when they neglect the potential dangers or fail to warn the athlete. This as well involves returning players to the game when they have already suffered a concussion.
Regardless of the cause of the injuries, any imprudent act that outcome in severe harm of another individual qualifies the casualty to seek for remuneration.
Receiving Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries have adverse effects on the casualties and their loved ones. It often reduces their quality of life as well. Casualties of catastrophic injuries may suffer from psychological issues like depression. When affected psychologically the victim may also change their personality due to the stressful and frustrating experiences of their family. For this reason, it is vital for the victims to get compensation for their physical injuries as well as for their suffering. It is a casualty’s right to pursue remuneration for their losses. The following are the damages that can be recovered by catastrophic injuries victims:
- Past, present and future medical expenses as a result of the accident
- Lost current and future wages
- Physical pain and suffering
- The cost of rehabilitation services
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability coverage
- Loss of life's enjoyment
After a serious accident, it is imperative that you work with the Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney in order to get the compensation that you deserve. Our devoted lawyers have the skills and experience that will ensure that you get your rights and the best possible outcomes for your catastrophic injuries case. We are dedicated to quick and efficient solutions to meet our client’s needs. If you are a victim of catastrophic injuries in the greater Los Angeles area and need assistance with your case, please contact us today for a free legal consultation and case evaluation.
Prosecuting Your Catastrophic Injury Claim
If you or your loved have sustained a catastrophic injury, you need to seek the assistance of the Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney immediately. These are some of the common issues that surface in the process of this type of prosecution:
The pleading requirements for catastrophic injury: When filing a catastrophic injury, it is essential to the accomplishment of your case to give the court as much information as possible about the incident, injuries, the individual responsible for the accident and the damages you are seeking compensation for.
What to look for during the discovery: The way to win a claim is to prove the negligence of another party and the measure of remuneration you ought to get. With that in mind, our lawyers look for data about the occasions encompassing your harm, including how the injury could have been dodged, regardless of whether the culpable party knew about the conditions bringing about your injuries and whether there exists a pattern of behavior resulting in similar injuries.
Utilizing expert witnesses: Depending on your type of case and issues surrounding it, The Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney may retain witnesses and specialists including private investigators, computer specialists, doctors, therapists and financial experts to help evaluate and value your claim.
Things to Know About Cases Concerning Catastrophic Injuries
If you have been involved in an accident that led to catastrophic injuries, one important thing that you should keep in mind is that time is of the essence. While there are many issues that you may have to take care of initially after the accident, one thing that you should not ignore is the amount of time you have to pursue a claim. Severe injuries can be physical and mentally devastating. With such injuries, you can be ruined financially in a very short period of time. If you are rendered unable to work, you are undergoing treatment or you already have massive medical bills, you should seek remuneration to settle all this. In California, the statute of limitation requires that an injured person should file a claim 2 years from the date of the accident or from the day that the victim discovers that the accident was as a result of another party’s negligence. If the claims are against a government agency, then you will have only 6months to file an injury claim. In the case of medical malpractice, you will only have 1 year to file the claim.
The party responsible for your injuries or your insurance company will aim at ensuring that you do not receive financial compensation or in other circumstances, they may offer you a much lower amount that may not be of any help to you. With this in mind, it is important to seek assistance with a qualified catastrophic injury attorney immediately in order to know your options and legal rights. A Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney will have the expertise to make negotiations and ensuring that it is a win for you.
With all the suffering and devastation that come with catastrophic injuries, you should pass the mantle to us while you focus on recuperation and rehabilitation. Our attorneys are prepared to aggressively represent your interests and fight for every penny that you rightfully deserve. While the compensation may not take your life back to normal, it helps improve the quality of life and removes the financial burden from the shoulders of your loved ones.
Please do not hesitate to call Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney today at 424-231-2013 for a free case evaluation.