California Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?

Catastrophic injuries are those that have a lifelong impact on the victims. Generally speaking, an injury is deemed catastrophic when it leaves the person permanently disabled or disfigured.  

Due to the severity of their physical restrictions, many catastrophic injury victims require round-the-clock care and are frequently unable to return to work.

Catastrophic injury examples include:

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can leave victims with impaired movement, impaired cognitive function, memory issues, or even render them unable to respond to stimuli around them. 

The most severe traumatic brain injury victims could require full-time care at a residential care facility or in-home care from a medical professional.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

Accidents that cause damage to the spinal cord can have varying effects on the victim, depending on where the damage occurred, but they typically result in the victim losing control of part or all of their limbs.

If an accident victim sustains this type of injury, they may be unable to return to work or participate in some activities they previously enjoyed. In some cases, they may require assistance to perform daily tasks and functions.

Amputations

The loss of one or more limbs can alter a person’s life forever. The associated treatment can include months or years of physical and occupational therapy to learn how to function in daily life without a limb. 

Burn Injuries

Burns can destroy the skin’s nerve endings and leave behind large, disfiguring scars. Severe burn victims frequently need to stay in the hospital for extended periods of time and undergo skin grafts to repair burned areas.

Burns are incredibly painful to treat and take a great deal of time to heal. The burn victim is also at serious risk of complications, including life-threatening infections.

Loss of Sight or Hearing

Certain accidents can lead to blindness or hearing loss. The absence of these senses can result in the inability to return to a previous occupation. The victim must learn new ways to interact with the world. 

Victims of catastrophic injuries face critical adjustments to their lives. In-home care, recurrent surgeries, medical equipment, missed earnings, and other expenses are frequently left to victims and their families, who are also left with a heavy emotional burden following the accident.

The Challenges of Catastrophic Injury Lawsuits

Catastrophic injury claims require a distinct approach compared to personal injury cases, and having a qualified attorney is essential. The procedure starts with legally classifying your injury as catastrophic, which can be a complicated endeavor due to the substantial financial stakes.

A personal injury lawyer will first work to demonstrate the validity of your catastrophic claim, as it usually entails seeking a considerable amount of compensation. Victims often need ample financial aid to cover the long-term expenses of medical treatment, lost wages, and psychological anguish.

Given the large sums of money involved, insurance companies often oppose settling these claims and prefer to litigate them in court. That’s why it’s vital to have a California catastrophic injury lawyer who knows the legal subtleties of these cases and is ready to fight for your rights.

Relying on the Insurance Company Can Be a Costly Error in a Catastrophic Injury Claim

Working with an insurance adjuster may seem sensible, but it may not always be in your best interest. Accepting the initial offer presented to you may lead to costly consequences, as it is typical for these offers to be inadequate to cover all your incurred losses.

In catastrophic accidents, there may be multiple parties responsible for your injuries, each represented by their own insurance adjusters. It is important to recognize that insurance companies are businesses, and their goal is to maximize profits by minimizing payouts to injury victims.

Insurance adjusters are adept at decreasing the liability of their clients. They may put on a friendly face, but their ultimate goal is to find a way to reduce or reject your payout. A catastrophic injury lawyer in California can handle the insurance company and safeguard you from being taken advantage of.

Recoverable Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Claim in California

While every case is unique, some of the damages often recovered include:

• Medical expenses
• Cost of ongoing care
• Mobility devices
• Accessibility adjustments to your home
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning potential
• Loss of benefits or retirement
• Loss of enjoyment
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Emotional trauma

Your California catastrophic injury attorney may work with economic professionals, life care planners, and medical experts to accurately assess the value of the damages in your case. This calculation is critical to ensure that you pursue the true value of all of your losses.