Clarkston
Catastrophic Injuries Lawyer

Catastrophic injuries are physical injuries that are on the extreme side. If you incurred a catastrophic injury due to an accident, your quality of life was likely significantly impacted. The consequences can be devastating physically, but victims also need to consider the emotional and financial aspects of an accident that caused their catastrophic injuries. 

To recover the compensation you can need to pay for treatment and to replace your income, speak to a representative from John Foy & Associates. Our team of Clarkston personal injuries lawyers can help you get started with a free case evaluation.

Catastrophic Injuries Are a Serious Issue

Catastrophic injuries include any illness or injury that is incredibly serious. These conditions usually require significant medical treatment, which often becomes expensive. Sometimes people can recover from their catastrophic injuries in just a few months or years. In other cases, catastrophic injuries are permanent, but not always. 

When someone suffers a catastrophic injury due to an accident, the party who caused the accident may be liable for their damages. Considering the severity of catastrophic injuries, these damages have the potential to be massive. To learn how you can recover compensation for your damages, speak to a Clarkston catastrophic injuries lawyer today. 

What Counts As a Catastrophic Injury?

From a legal perspective, only certain injuries qualify as catastrophic injuries. The severity of the injury or illness is the primary factor to be considered when determining whether your claim qualifies for catastrophic injury damage. Generally, a catastrophic injury is a severe injury that is either very difficult or impossible to recover from. 

If your injury has severe long-term symptoms and requires an extensive recovery process, you may be suffering from a catastrophic injury. Here are some common examples of catastrophic injuries:

Permanent Disability

A permanent disability is defined as a physical or mental condition that leaves individuals unable to work or perform other activities of normal daily life. In many cases, people injured in the workplace are eligible for compensation that allows them to sustain an income even though they are permanently disabled. 

Severe Burns

Burns can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Friction
• Chemical reactions
• Radiation
• Electricity
• Fire or other thermal elements

These burns are considered catastrophic when a significant portion of the skin is damaged, and disfigurement develops. First-degree burns rarely qualify as a catastrophic injury, but second and third-degree burns might. Third-degree burns, which sometimes numb the nerves in the effective area, are usually considered catastrophic when they affect even a small amount of the body.  

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Of all injuries, traumatic brain injuries are some of the most devastating ones possible. Upon suffering a traumatic brain injury, you could be permanently disabled and lose mental or physical functioning. The brain is one of the most important organs in the body, so if yours has been injured in an accident, you need to seek compensation from a Clarkston catastrophic injuries lawyer. 

Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries can occur anywhere. For example, someone working in a chemical treatment plant may be exposed to the chemicals used in the facility for an unsafe amount of time due to the negligence of their employer. These chemicals could cause burns, respiratory damage, or a variety of other forms of harm. 

If it is discovered that their employer was indeed negligent, the victim has the right to recover compensation from them. Be aware that employers are not the only source of catastrophic injuries. Simply driving a vehicle can result in terrible injuries, like traumatic brain injuries and severe burns. 

Here are some other examples of parties that can contribute to a catastrophic injury:

• Businesses and other organizations
• The owners of the property
• People driving vehicles 
• Manufacturing companies

To file a claim, you must determine who is actually responsible for your injuries. Once you have figured that out, you can request that they compensate you. It is not common for potentially liable parties to offer compensation immediately, so it helps to hire a Clarkston catastrophic injuries lawyer to support you in your claim. 

Filing a Catastrophic Injury Claim

To recover the compensation needed to pay your growing expenses, you will need to file a catastrophic injury claim against the party you believe is responsible for the accident that injured you. If you are suing an employer, business, or government organization, they will certainly have insurance policies in place to protect them from liability. This means you will need to levy a claim against their insurer. 

The insurance companies will almost never offer you reasonable compensation, even if they know that the insured party was negligent and caused your injuries. They have an inherent goal of minimizing losses by offering the bare minimum in settlements, so you must work hard to fight for the compensation you deserve. Never accept the first offer you are made. 

Instead, work with a Clarkston catastrophic injuries lawyer to build a strong case that leads to maximum compensation.

Potential Compensation for Catastrophic Injury Claims

If you do not know what compensation you are eligible for, the insurance company or other defendant will be able to take advantage of you by offering a minimal settlement. It is best if you do not allow them to limit the value of your case. For those who are not aware, catastrophic injury victims are eligible to recover compensation for a number of damages. 

These damages are divided into two categories; economic damages and non-economic damages. 

Economic Damages

Your economic damages are any losses that are costs that can easily be verified through receipts, statements, or bills. They generally have a direct connection to monetary costs associated with an injury. Examples include:

• Your current medical bills
• Your future medical bills
• Your past medical bills
• Earnings that you lost due to your injuries
• Prescription drug costs
• Reduced ability to earn income in the future

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are losses that may not be completely tangible. While these losses are not easily measured or tracked, they are considered very real by the courts. Some examples of non-economic damages include:

• PTSD
• Pain and suffering
• Reduced enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Increased depression
• Emotional damage or distress

Trusted Clarkston Catastrophic Injuries Lawyers

You need a qualified attorney to litigate your catastrophic injuries claim. Otherwise, you risk settling for less compensation than you deserve. To get started with a free case evaluation, get in touch with John Foy & Associates using the contact form on this page.