Any time one sustains an injury in an accident, it is generally a traumatic and overwhelming experience. The law allows injury victims the opportunity to file a claim against the party responsible for causing the accident that resulted in the injuries they suffered to cover economic and noneconomic costs, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, there is a difference between how personal injuries and catastrophic injuries are treated. In cases where an injury leaves a lasting impact on a victim’s life, the law compensates that person differently to account for the permanent effects of the accident. If you sustained a catastrophic injury, it is critical that you hire an attorney who is experienced in handling catastrophic injury claims to ensure you have the best possible chance of obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Catastrophic Injury Claims
Although these types of injuries are compensated differently, catastrophic injuries still fall under catastrophic injury law. For you to have a valid catastrophic injury claim, your injuries must have been so severe that they required expensive medical operations, extensive treatments, or constant at-home assistance. Examples of common catastrophic injuries include:
- Severe burn injuries
- Neurological disorders
- Organ damage
- Disfigurement
- Multiple bone injuries
- Back injuries
- Loss of hearing or vision
- Amputation injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
These injuries often put a vast amount of stress on the victim’s family, in addition to the stress it puts on the victim, due to the fact that the victim will likely need permanent assistance or supervision. This is why catastrophic injury settlements tend to result in substantially higher damages compared to what is generally awarded in a personal injury claim. Furthermore, victims of catastrophic injuries typically cannot return to work, which means they will also require compensation for lost wages and the loss of their ability to return to work. On the other hand, personal injury victims are compensated for the amount of time they are out of work.
Future Medical Needs
This is a key aspect in why catastrophic injuries tend to result in high damages. The more severe an injury is, the more likely it will require serious and long-term medical care. AÂ personal injury can be serious enough to warrant extensive care, but they are typically less severe in the duration compared to the care that is required for victims of catastrophic injuries. For example, cases involving paralysis and severe traumatic brain injuries could leave victims with ongoing medical conditions for the rest of their lives. Such conditions can warrant future medical appointments, medications, various types of therapy, specialized education, accommodations, and even medical devices. In some cases, a victim might even require daily living assistance for the rest of his or her life. If the victim’s family is dependent on him or her, this can result serious hardship for more than just the injured person.
Given how high the stakes are in a catastrophic injury case, it is imperative that you hire experienced legal representation to ensure you are able to obtain maximum compensation. With higher damages involved, insurance companies are unlikely to be cooperative throughout the negotiation process, so you need an attorney who is also prepared to aggressively represent you in court.
Experienced Catastrophic Injury Attorneys in Las Vegas
If you sustained a catastrophic injury recently, you are likely overwhelmed with medical bills, loss of work, and the pain and suffering that comes with such devastating injuries. You need a legal advocate on your side at this time to ensure you are able to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligent actions and to obtain the fair and just compensation you deserve and need as you adjust to the changes brought on by your injuries.
At Shook & Stone, in Las Vegas, our catastrophic injury attorneys have the experience and knowledge to effectively represent you. In fact, we have recovered more than half a billion dollars on behalf of our clients and would be honored to do the same for you. If you are seeking legal guidance after sustaining a catastrophic injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you can feel confident in turning to our team for help.
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