The lawyers at Ingerman & Horwitz are trained and experienced in handling catastrophic injury cases. To contact a catastrophic injury lawyer please simply fill out the form on the right and our law firm will contact you shortly.
What is a catastrophic injury?
Catastrophic injuries happen suddenly, without warning, and have a great impact on the lives of the individuals who experience them. The injury quite often severely disrupts the central nervous system, in turn, affecting other parts of the body. Many victims experience loss of sensation, movement, and cognitive and communicative abilities. The injury can also affect circulation, respiration, skin, the urinary system, the gastrointestinal system as well as the other body systems. The injury may involve loss of sight, quadriplegia, paraplegia or being in a coma. Victims may be unable to speak, walk or live without constant care.
Catastrophic injuries can be horrible, debilitating injuries, which affect the victims daily life. By finding a qualified catastrophic injury attorney you can help ensure your legal rights are well represented.
Types Of Catastrophic Injuries
- Severe burns
- Accidental amputation
- Spinal cord injury
- Brain injury
- Multiple fractures
- Accidents
- Exposure to toxic substances (such as asbestos, toxic molds and lead paint)
- Other neurological disorders
Factors Affecting Compensation in Catastrophic Injury Cases
Catastrophic injury patients and their families experience difficult life changes as they move from hospitalization to rehabilitation to returning home. These changes include an adverse effect on their employment, self esteem, enjoyment of life, ability to complete routine tasks and relationships.
With good, early medical treatment, some individuals may recover from their injuries. Others may be faced with great suffering, permanent disability and reduced life spans. Someone whose ability to earn income has been greatly affected and who needs a lifetime of care due to the injury may need financial support for decades.
Long term effects of the injury often do not become apparent until years after the injury occurs. For instance, someone injured as a child may need surgery to correct the problem in the future. Many burn victims are faced with having to get several reconstructive surgeries. The injury can include the costs of prosthetic devices. Additionally, the family of the victim may also be granted compensation for present and future expenses.
Determining Parties Responsible for Catastrophic Injuries
Identifying the responsible party is essential in order to seek compensation for catastrophic injuries. A victim may need to file a personal injury claim if the injury is caused by the intentional or negligent act of someone else or from a defective product. An experienced attorney in catastrophic injury claims will help ensure victims recover the compensation to which they may be entitled. Depending on the type of injury, vehicle owners, product manufacturers and medical personnel may be responsible.
Sometimes, filing a personal injury claim is the only way to provide the catastrophically injured victim with quality medical care, support and compensation for losses suffered as the result of such a tragic occurrence.