A catastrophic injury is among the most gruesome experiences, forcing victims to bear immense pain and suffering, lost income, and additional living expenses. The implications trickle down to family members, friends, and spouses of injured individuals; hence it’s essential to fight your way to fair compensation.
But this isn’t a simple battle, as you’ll also need more time and energy to recover. That’s where a reputable Augusta personal injury attorney comes in.
If you’ve recently experienced a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s actions or negligence, your next move should be to speak with our experienced attorneys. They’ll secure your rights, gather sufficient evidence, and use their experience and resources to build a strong case.
What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury in Augusta?
“Catastrophic injury” refers to an illness or physical injury regarded as particularly severe or extreme. It has a significant impact on the victim and requires considerable medical treatment to deal with. The damage may not be permanent, but it could take months or years to heal.
Occasionally, the injuries’ full extent may not be known for some time, and the emotional and physical effects can be long-lasting. Common examples of these injuries include:
- Physical injuries such as burns, amputation, fractures, and tissue or orthopedic function damage
- Spinal cord injuries, which exclusively affect the spine area leaving survivors with permanent mobility issues
- Cognitive injuries resulting from brain tissue damage can permanently impair the victim’s ability to speak, work, or create new memories
Catastrophic injuries are different from the rest because they leave the victim with long-term, life-altering damages. These are the most severe harms one can sustain, and the significant implications mean that this is among the most high-valued cases.
Each catastrophic injure a survivor sustains can impact them and the rest of their family. Caring for a loved one with cognitive or mobility limitations is physically draining and emotionally taxing. Sometimes, spouses are forced to resign from their jobs and devote themselves to full-time, around-the-clock care.
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Why Should You Involve an Augusta Catastrophic Attorney in Your Case?
You must fulfill several crucial steps after sustaining an injury. For instance, you must get the required medical assistance, gather relevant information about the party you deem responsible for the damage, or collect evidence to build a strong case. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case as you’ll be focusing on recuperating.
Catastrophic injuries are unique. They require thorough investigations to prove the injury causation, fault, and the defendant’s ability to compensate the victim. Also, the cases are usually high-valued, and the other party or their insurer will try to downplay the harm or blame you, which is why most survivors reach out to reputable attorneys for legal help.
A qualified catastrophic injury attorney in Augusta will benefit your case in the following ways:
- They understand your rights and will fight to defend them.
- Attorneys use their broad network to ensure you receive quality specialized treatment for faster recovery.
- They’ll allow you to recover as they gather the correct details, medical records, and evidence to build a solid personal injury claim.
- With their excellent negotiation skills, your attorney will handle the pre-settlement negotiations or create strong arguments in court to achieve a positive lawsuit outcome.
- After earning the compensation, your attorney will discuss with lien holders to prevent excessive charges.
How Much Compensation Can You Recover?
A catastrophic injury is usually associated with immense damages. The severity of your injuries and property damage will often determine the amount of compensation you’re entitled to. Your Augusta catastrophic injury attorney will compile a detailed list with precise estimates of the worth of your damage.
Usually, attorneys attempt to sum up several compensations classified into economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Talk to a free consultation lawyer in Augusta to get an estimate of how much your claim is worth.
What Comprises Economic Damages?
Compensation for economic damages covers tangible losses assigned a dollar value. The injuries are documented, and the available receipts make them easy to calculate. Examples include out-of-pocket expenses such as:
- Healthcare costs
- Property repairs or replacement
- Rehabilitation and therapy expenses
- Lost current and future income
- Funeral cost for fatal injuries
Truck accidents in our area often result in significant economic damages. Fortunately, a truck accident attorney in Augusta, GA, can help you deal with these expenses.
What Comprises Non-Economic Damages?
Also called general damages, non-economic damages compensate for the actual harm with no dollar value and aren’t linked to documented monetary costs. They’re intangible, hence more challenging to compute. The court usually relies on specialist insight to determine them. Examples include:
- Lost opportunities due to the injury
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Loss of consortium
Punitive Damages
Not every catastrophic injury lawsuit grants punitive damages, but they are more prevalent in catastrophic injury cases. The court may award these if it’s a case of extreme negligence or malice and intent to inflict harm to serve as an example.
Deadline for Filing Your Catastrophic Injury Claim in Augusta
Time waits for no man, and this rule applies even to the court system. Georgia’s Statute of Limitations sets the timelines that catastrophic injury plaintiffs, defendants, lawyers, and judges must obey.
According to this rule, you have only two years to file a personal injury lawsuit if you sustained a catastrophic injury in Augusta. This deadline extends to five years if the case involves medical malpractice, and the clock begins to tick on the date the incident that caused your injury occurred.
If you ignore the rule, you’ll most likely lose your claim. The defendant will mention this discrepancy in court, and the judge and jury will grant it in their favor.
Notably, there are several exceptions to the statute of limitations deadlines. For instance, if the victim were a minor during the incident, the countdown would begin after 18 years. Also, if the defendant leaves the state before you serve them with the relevant legal documents, the time they’re away won’t count.
Speak with a Reputable Augusta Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
A catastrophic injury can be devastating to the victim and those who care about them. The pain and suffering associated with the injuries are immense, and the financial implications monumental. Therefore, you must let a qualified catastrophic injury lawyer in Augusta fight for fair compensation for the resultant harms and costs.
Fortunately, you’re on the right site. Contact us, and our representative will instantly schedule your free catastrophic injury case review.
706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form