Accidents are often unintentional and unwelcome events that can occur in a range of situations. Injuries that often result from an unanticipated accident have long-term or permanent effects on the victim’s spine, spinal cord, back, or brain and are categorized as “catastrophic injuries.”
Victims of catastrophic injuries frequently have many unresolved issues. Catastrophic injuries may take months or even years to heal. Because of this, the victim may be concerned about how they will take care of their families or themselves.
Even routine daily activities sometimes seem too difficult to handle. It is at this point that the victim needs the assistance of a Brunswick personal injury lawyer at John Foy & Associates.
When to Obtain a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Ultimately, having a catastrophic injury is distressing. A Brunswick catastrophic injuries lawyer is cognizant of the stress on one’s body and wallet. These lawyers have the authority to respond with legal action.
To start, a summon or a complaint must be filed in court, followed by other legal procedures before the settlement payment can be decided. An experienced lawyer will represent the victim’s claim and help you to understand the process for filing a claim to receive compensation. While the severity of each case is different, each type of damage resulting from the catastrophic injury must be meticulously represented.
Lost wages, medical and nursing care, travel expenses for medical care, and pain and suffering are all possible collaterals of a catastrophic injury claim. The catastrophic injury lawyer evaluates the case and claims compensation. They are well acquainted with the situation and the compliance issues.
The handling of claims where many parties are at fault is covered by specific regulations that vary by state. The complainant can best manage this type of defense by hiring a catastrophic injury attorney with knowledge of comparative fault. They can assist the victim in deciding whether to accept, reject, or counterclaim the offer.
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5 Steps to Take After Suffering a Catastrophic Injury
The aftermath of a catastrophic accident is often chaotic. The victim might not even be able to leave the site since they have sustained catastrophic injuries. If so, the victim, with the help of his colleagues, must be shifted to a safer place.
- Apply first aid and call 911
Ensure that the situation can be managed by calling emergency services. Many accident victims who sustain injuries may first feel rather well. Because of the high levels of adrenaline in their bodies, the pain they are feeling may not be immediately obvious.
Serious spinal and brain injuries, however, are not always apparent right away. Therefore, it’s essential to get medical help right away.
- Report the accident
Depending on the severity of the victim’s injuries, either he or another person at the scene has to notify the police about the accident. The local police agency will investigate the accident while first responders are providing care to produce a report, determine what happened, and determine who was responsible.
If the incident happened at work, strictly adhere to the company’s reporting requirements. Don’t wait to report the accident because doing so could be used against you if you decide to make a claim.
- Obtain evidence
Any claims procedure involving catastrophic injuries must include evidence. Even if victims are unable to do so, a family member or attorney can help them gather proof.
Obtaining access to the victim’s medical records, police reports, and witness statements may be part of the process of collecting the evidence.
Taking pictures of the accident area and the victim’s injuries is also very significant.
- Consult a catastrophic injury attorney
After a catastrophic accident, consult the Catastrophic Injury Lawyer. If the victim wants to pursue a claim, the victim himself or a family member can initiate, and a catastrophic injury lawyer will help them make sure they have all the necessary proof. The lawyer can also provide advice regarding the victim’s potential eligibility for monetary compensation to cover past and present medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Remain patient
Both the legal process and the medical care are onerous. So, learn to be patient. The process of recovery and restitution could be tiresome and annoying.
Victims could encounter difficulties or think their development is stalling. Therefore, move forward by following the prescribed course of therapy for a quick recovery and enlisting the services of a catastrophic injury attorney for all types of settlements.
Catastrophic Injuries Defined
A catastrophic injury is generally perceived to be a serious injury to the brain, spine, or spinal cord, as well as the possible skull or spinal column fractures. Accidental violent trauma can cause catastrophic damage directly, or complications from the initial injury can do so indirectly. This can be further categorized into:
- Significant spine damage
- Spinal cord injuries, particularly those that cause complete or partial paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Serious head injuries
- Injuries that lead to limb amputation
- Significant burn injuries
- Injuries that leave behind considerable scars and disfigurement
Catastrophic Injury Compensation
From a legal standpoint, catastrophic injuries are those that should receive more compensation than a typical personal injury claim. In terms of medicine, a catastrophic injury leaves the victim requiring ongoing care or specialized accommodations. He may have a persistent impairment, a terribly damaged, malformed figure.
He may be completely unable to continue earning a living at their job. The justification for awarding compensatory damages to sufferers of catastrophic injuries is upfront, as they will endure greater pain, and they will also require more funding to make up for it.
A victim who simply files a personal injury claim may be restricting the amount of money they can recover. The amount of damages that can be awarded in accident lawsuits is capped in many states, but almost all of these laws provide exceptions for catastrophic injuries. The question of how much money the victim will need to survive and last the rest of his life should be at the forefront of anyone’s mind who has sustained serious injuries in an accident.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Every year, many people throughout the world suffer permanent disabilities or injuries as a result of accidents. Research reveals that, generally, there are 0.9 catastrophic injuries per 100,000 work-related incidents per year. The frequency is lowest in the service sector and is highest in agriculture and construction.
Some of the most frequent accidents that result in catastrophic injuries occur in road accidents such as vehicles hit by semi-trucks, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians run over by automobiles or trucks. In the United States, vehicular accidents account for 43% of severe spinal injuries. Between 5 and 10% of all cervical spine and spinal cord injuries in the United States are attributed to sports.
American football, ice hockey, baseball, wrestling, gymnastics, and track, and field are sports that regularly lead to catastrophic injuries, according to the American National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research study from 2005. Boating accidents, youth football, cheerleading, falls from a height of several feet, explosions, and burn incidents are all common causes of catastrophic injuries.
Contact a Brunswick Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today
Anyone can suffer the effects of a catastrophic injury, including brain and spinal injuries. Getting through the legal and medical processes can be complex and frustrating. Luckily, a Brunswick catastrophic injury lawyer at John Foy & Associates will be there to walk with you every step of the way and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Brunswick catastrophic injury lawyer today for a no-cost case evaluation and consultation.
912-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
