Being injured in any type of accident can be physically and emotionally traumatic. The good news is that, in most cases, injury victims can get medical treatment and be fully recovered in a certain period of time. Unfortunately, some injuries are so severe that they result in permanent, life-altering injuries known as catastrophic injuries.
At Shegerian & Associates, our catastrophic injury attorneys can provide you with dedicated and compassionate legal representation if you were injured due to another party’s negligence. We will work hard on your behalf to get you and your family the justice and compensation you deserve.
Defining a Catastrophic Injury in California
The law defines a catastrophic injury as one that is permanent or long-term in nature and prevents an individual from performing any gainful work. It will often involve long-term pain, loss of a limb, or loss of a bodily organ or function.
Catastrophic injuries result from accidents due to negligence, such as car accidents, motorcycle accidents, work accidents, construction accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, or defective products. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations or other limb losses
- Paralysis, such as quadriplegia
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Injuries causing blindness or deafness
- Loss of a bodily organ or function
Liability for a Catastrophic Injury
Catastrophic injuries often require extensive medical care and will result in the individual experiencing a diminished quality of life. An individual who sustained a catastrophic injury due to the negligence of another party has every right to pursue financial compensation and justice for their physical and emotional injuries.
As with any other personal injury case, a catastrophic injury law firm will let you know that in order to pursue damages for a catastrophic injury, it must be shown that another party acted with negligence. This means that they failed to act in a way that a reasonably careful person would have done in the same situation. Some parties that may be liable for a catastrophic injury include:
- Motorists
- Product manufacturers
- Product distributors
- Property owners
- Employers
- Animal owners
Note that even if you believe that you were partially responsible for the accident that caused your catastrophic injury, you may still be able to pursue damages under California’s pure comparative negligence laws. Your award amount will just be reduced by the percentage of fault you were found to have contributed to the accident.
The Benefit of Having a Personal Injury Attorney
Catastrophic injury lawyers play a crucial role in making sure that victims of accidents resulting in catastrophic injuries receive the maximum compensation that they are entitled to receive. The attorney that you choose will be able to gather critical evidence for your case and appoint experts to interpret the evidence in front of a judge or a jury.
If the negligent party has an insurance policy, your catastrophic accident attorney will be able to write a demand letter on your behalf outlining your injuries and financial demands, which will hopefully lead to a resolution without needing to go to trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your attorney will be prepared to fight for your rights in court by filing a lawsuit.
Your catastrophic accident lawyer will also be able to:
- Uncover the hidden value of your case.
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
- Take the burden off of your shoulders while you heal.
- Offer you a free, personalized case evaluation.
- Work on contingency fees, meaning that you don’t pay unless you win compensation.
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Because catastrophic injuries are more severe in nature, they typically result in higher damages. You may be able to receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses, such as hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, mental health treatment, and home health care
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, including grief, anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, and emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages, if it is established that the negligent party acted intentionally or egregiously
Get a Skilled Attorney on Your Side
At Shegerian & Associates, we understand all too well how a catastrophic injury can completely change your life forever. If you or a loved one sustained a catastrophic injury in an accident, our team of seasoned personal injury attorneys is standing by ready to fight for your rights and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
