Some injuries are especially devastating and have long-lasting effects on the victim’s life. Catastrophic injuries result in more complications than just physical disability. They usually require ongoing physical therapy and medical expenses that could exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout the course of a lifetime.
If you or a loved one has suffered severe injuries as a result of an accident, you may be able to seek compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, pain, suffering, emotional distress, and more. A Riverdale catastrophic injury lawyer may be able to help if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence.
At Humphrey and Ballard Law, we will fight for the full compensation that you deserve. Call our Riverdale personal injury lawyers today at 404-341-0499 to schedule a free case review.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
In personal injury law, a catastrophic injury is a severe and debilitating injury that has long-term or permanent effects on an individual’s ability to function and live a normal life. Examples of catastrophic injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, severe burns, and permanent disfigurement.
These types of injuries often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. They may prevent you from being able to work and engage in your activities. Due to the severe nature of these injuries, they can also result in significant financial damages, such as lost income and medical expenses.
Some of the common causes of catastrophic injuries include:
- Car crashes
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Falls from high places
- Workplace accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
What Are Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries?
The following are some of the more common catastrophic injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
These injuries occur when there is damage to the brain as a result of a traumatic event, such as a car accident, fall, or sports injury. Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can range from mild, such as a concussion, to severe, such as a coma or permanent brain damage.
Spinal Cord Injuries
These injuries occur when there is damage to the spinal cord, which can result in loss of movement, sensation, and feeling in the affected area. Spinal cord injuries can be classified as complete or incomplete, depending on the extent of the damage.
Amputations
These injuries occur when a limb (such as a hand, arm, foot, or leg) is severed or otherwise removed from the body. Amputations can be caused by accidents, such as car crashes or industrial accidents, or by medical conditions, such as diabetes or cancer.
Severe Burns
These injuries occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. Severe burns can cause disfigurement, scarring, and long-term physical and emotional pain.
Permanent Disfigurement
These injuries refer to any permanent and significant change in the physical appearance of a person, such as prominent facial scars or loss of a limb.
Catastrophic injuries often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation and may result in permanent disability and loss of earning capacity.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Catastrophic Injury Claim?
In a catastrophic injury claim, you may be able to recover a variety of damages, including:
- Medical expenses: This includes the cost of all medical treatment, such as hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
- Lost wages: If you are unable to work as a result of your injuries, you may be able to recover the income you would have earned if you were able to work.
- Loss of earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or prevent you from earning as much as you would have been able to in the future, you may be able to recover damages for the loss of your earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: These damages are intended to compensate you for the physical and emotional pain, suffering, and inconvenience caused by your injuries.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: This category of damages compensates for the loss of ability to engage in activities that you enjoyed before the injury, such as hobbies, sports, and social activities.
- Punitive damages: These damages are intended to punish the defendant for particularly egregious conduct and to deter similar conduct in the future.
- Wrongful death: If the injury resulted in death, the family may be able to recover damages such as funeral expenses and loss of future earning capacity.
Keep in mind that the laws and the extent of recoverable damages can vary depending on the jurisdiction. It is best to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer to understand the specific damages you may be able to recover in your case.
How Can a Riverdale Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Help With My Case?
Our Riverdale catastrophic injury lawyers can provide you with the legal expertise and advocacy you need to seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Here are some of the ways our team at Humphrey and Ballard Law can help you.
Proving Liability
A catastrophic injury lawyer will investigate the accident and gather evidence to prove that the other party was at fault for your injuries. This may include interviewing witnesses, collecting medical records, and retaining expert witnesses.
Calculating Damages
A catastrophic injury lawyer will also work to calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
After liability has been established and damages have been calculated, a catastrophic injury lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to reach a fair settlement.
Representing You in Court
If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, our legal team is ready to file a lawsuit on your behalf to seek compensation through a trial. If your case goes to trial, your catastrophic injury lawyer will represent you in court and present your case to the jury.
Helping With the Recovery Process
A good catastrophic injury lawyer will help you in navigating the legal process and also help you with the recovery process. They will keep track of deadlines, help you understand the legal process, and also guide you in making important decisions related to your case.
How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Lawsuit in Georgia?
In the state of Georgia, the deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the accident or injury. This is referred to as the statute of limitations. Keep in mind that there are certain exceptions to the statute of limitations, such as when the victim is a minor, which can extend the deadline.
If a case is filed after the deadline, the court will likely dismiss the case. Therefore, it is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident or injury to ensure you don’t lose your opportunity to recover the compensation that you deserve.
Let Us Help You Win the Compensation You Deserve!
Catastrophic injuries can have a devastating impact on an individual’s life, resulting in significant medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress. If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, it is important to seek legal representation from an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer.
Call our team at Humphrey and Ballard Law today at 404-341-0499 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7.
