- What Is A Catastrophic Injury?
- How Do These Injuries Happen?
- What’s Fair Compensation For A Catastrophic Injury Claim?
- Catastrophic Injury FAQs
- Get Help From A Manhattan Beach Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today
Catastrophic injuries are those injuries that have a long-term, life-altering impact on the victim. These injuries are often life-threatening and can leave the sufferer with permanent disabilities, requiring expensive medical treatments, rehabilitation, and even nursing care long after the injury occurs.
These severe injuries can affect not just the victim, but also those who depend on the victim for care and support, such as spouses and children. When the catastrophic injury was caused by negligence of another person, the responsible party should be held liable for the physical and financial hardships that the victim will face. The Manhattan Beach personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Scott Dinsmore can help.
What Is A Catastrophic Injury?
Many accident victims suffer serious injuries that take a great toll physically, emotionally and financially. The difference between these serious injuries and catastrophic injuries is that the latter results in permanent disabilities that will have an impact on the victim’s entire life and significantly impact the victim’s family as well.
There isn’t just one type of catastrophic injury. Many different types of injuries can fall under this category if the injury is severe and the effects will be long-lasting, including:
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Burn injuries
- Internal organ injuries
- Amputations
How Do These Injuries Happen?
The Manhattan Beach catastrophic injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Scott Dinsmore have seen these injuries caused in many different types of accidents, including but not limited to:
- Work accidents
- Medical malpractice
The most important factor in seeking compensation for a catastrophic injury is not necessarily the type of accident but rather the circumstances. If the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, then that person should be held responsible for the financial damages the victim will face.
What’s Fair Compensation for These Types of Claims?
When determining what compensation to seek in this type of claim, there are many aspects of the victim’s situation to consider. The most obvious is the already existing medical bills. Any medical expenses that have been paid or are outstanding should be included in the compensation amount. However, catastrophic injuries result in long-term medical needs. These future expenses should also be calculated into a compensation package.
These life-altering injuries often leave the victim unable to work again or at the very least result in very long periods of lost income. The victim’s lost wages are another factor that should be considered when determining financial damages.
Pain and suffering is another factor to calculate into the equation. Many victims of these injuries will suffer psychological effects, such as depression, anxiety and other personality changes. Their quality of life may be severely diminished. In situations where the possibility for recovery is hopeful, the treatment required to reach the highest level of recovery achievable may be demanding, time consuming and highly stressful for the victim and their families.
The negligent party in an accident is required by law to pay these pain and suffering damages, which are often the largest damages in an accident case. Determining the amount for pain and suffering is far more abstract than adding up medical bills and lost wages, so it’s important to have an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer evaluate your situation to best assess fair financial compensation for these damages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Catastrophic Injury Claims
How long do I have to file a catastrophic injury lawsuit in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident or injury. This means that individuals who have suffered a catastrophic injury must file a lawsuit within this two-year window to seek compensation for their damages.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, if the injury was not discovered immediately, the statute of limitations may be extended to one year from the date the injury was discovered.
It is crucial to be aware of these time limits, as failing to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations can result in losing the legal right to pursue compensation altogether.
How do I know if I need a catastrophic injury attorney?
If you suffered a catastrophic injury as the result of someone else’s negligence, it is important to seek the help of an experienced lawyer. Catastrophic injury cases are often more complex than other personal injury claims since they require long-term care and treatments. A knowledgeable attorney can build a strong case for you and determine how much compensation your damages warrant.
What are the first steps I should take if I have suffered a catastrophic injury?
If you have suffered a catastrophic injury in California, here are a few steps to take:
– Seek medical attention and follow through with your doctor’s orders.
– Get contact information for any witnesses if possible, as well as photos of the accident scene and the injuries you sustained.
– Document all your medical expenses and lost wages.
– Contact a catastrophic injury lawyer who can assess your case and provide guidance.
It’s also important to know what NOT to do — do not admit fault or sign any papers related to the accident without consulting your lawyer first.
How much does it cost to hire a catastrophic injury attorney in California?
Most catastrophic injury lawyers in California operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning they do not require any payment upfront. Instead, their fees are taken out of the compensation you receive following a successful case.
Get Help From A Manhattan Beach Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today
The catastrophic injury lawyer team at the Law Offices of Scott Dinsmore, APC has been serving Manhattan Beach for more than 25 years. Our South Bay law firm has the skill, experience, resources and dedication needed to help accident victims obtain the highest level of financial compensation possible. Contact us today at 310-318-1220 to schedule a free consultation.
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