When Do You Need A Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?
If you are making an insurance claim for an injury or are pursuing compensation from a wrongful party, it’s important to have a competent and experienced catastrophic injury lawyer.
Experiencing a catastrophic injury fundamentally changes a person’s life and the life of their loved ones. Whether an injury has left an individual physically or mentally impaired, it can radically alter the course of one’s life.
In the US, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 1 and 44 years old. This includes motor vehicle crashes, unintentional falls, and opioid overdoses.
However, what qualifies as a catastrophic injury, and when exactly is it necessary to have an attorney? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury occurs when an individual is so seriously injured that it leaves the victim with permanent health problems and damage. These sometimes occur as a result of physical harm to the spinal cord and/or the brain. This type of injury can impact functional capabilities, both long and short term.
When a person experiences a catastrophic injury, it leaves them missing a vital part of themselves, whether it is their ability to walk, cognitive abilities, or the loss of a limb.
Types of Injuries
There are generally three different types of injuries that catastrophic injury lawyers specialize in. These are:
- Physical injuries, including burns, amputations, damage to orthopedic function or tissue, or fractures
- Spinal cord injuries that create permanent mobility issues
- Cognitive injuries that arise from brain damage, affecting a person’s ability to speak, work, or form new memories
Here are some examples of catastrophic injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Broken bones
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Catastrophic internal injuries
- Diseases including cancer
- Internal organ damage
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Deafness/blindness
There are a number of different circumstances that can lead to a catastrophic injury. Some of the most common causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Swimming/drowning
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Violent acts
- Work injuries
- Construction injuries
- Dangerous products
- Dangerous properties
- Slip and falls
Differentiating catastrophic and non-catastrophic injuries are not so black and white. Sometimes, whether or not an injury qualifies as severe or catastrophic has to do with the circumstances surrounding the individual and the accident. A catastrophic injury lawyer would be able to provide more insight.
Do I Need an Injury Lawyer?
When you’ve experienced a catastrophic injury, sometimes loved ones also suffer the repercussions. Not only are you dealing with things like physical pain, cognitive impairment, or the loss of a limb, but you are likely dealing with a pile of medical bills.
Not all catastrophic injuries are caused by the negligence or recklessness of another party. Either way, if you’re dealing with medical bills or an insurance claim, you will want a catastrophic injury lawyer on your side. Remember, insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys that will start evaluating your claim. This typically begins immediately following the accident.
Without a lawyer, the playing field is quite lopsided. First, it will be more challenging to receive maximum compensation. Secondly, the insurer may even reject your claim.
If your catastrophic injury was caused by the negligence of a corporation or another individual, it can be incredibly confusing to know what to do next. In this instance, you can benefit greatly from hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer.
While it’s not impossible to handle a claim on your own, there are more opportunities for error. Studies show that being represented by legal counsel can triple your compensation.
Hiring a catastrophic injury lawyer doesn’t just ensure that you’ll get the fairest possible compensation for your injury. It can also significantly help reduce stress levels. If you’ve been involved in an injury, the last thing you need is weeding through legal paperwork and stressing over meeting filing deadlines.
Without a lawyer, you run a greater risk of losing your settlement. When you have experienced legal representation, they will tirelessly pursue your injury case.
About Catastrophic Injury Lawyers
Catastrophic injuries can be life-changing and traumatic. Not only can a victim experience physical pain and suffering, but it can also cause emotional trauma for the individual and their loved ones. When you hire catastrophic injury lawyers, they can help you navigate the extremely complicated process of personal injury litigation.
In most instances, catastrophic injuries are a common result of the negligence of another party. There are several potential at-fault parties depending on the circumstances of the injury, including your employer, the doctors and hospital, a business or residence, or an educational organization.
Proving that someone else is at fault in the case of a catastrophic injury is not a straightforward or simple process. For this reason, you need to have a personal injury attorney who can help you pursue the compensation that you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact us today for a free consultation.
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