There’s no way to define a “good injury” however, in terms of severity, a catastrophic injury would be considered to be the most damaging. These types of injuries can cause more than just physical disability. The majority of these injuries need ongoing physical therapy and medical costs that can exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout the course of the person’s life.
What to do following the incident and how to make payments following a catastrophic injury causes anxiety and anxiety. If you’ve suffered an injury, then you may not be back at your place of work for months or years. Wade Law’s Griffin catastrophic injury lawyers can help you get back to stability. We strive to accomplish this by making certain that the person responsible for your serious injury is the person who is able to provide the money to pay for those costly medical expenses.
Our highly skilled lawyers have the knowledge and experience to prove the liability of the at-fault party. We’ve been practicing law for more than 60 years, and have helped clients throughout Georgia get compensation for various personal injury lawsuits. We want to help remove the financial and emotional burden of devastating injuries.
Contact us today at 770-282-1188 for a complimentary review of your catastrophic injury case.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A case of catastrophic injury differs from a personal injury claim due to the extent and long-lasting impact of the injury. A catastrophic injury is usually not a legal term that has clearly defined standards. Georgia law does, however, provide for catastrophic injuries in workers’ compensation laws. These same criteria to determine the kinds of injuries that are that are not related to work as well.
According to workers’ comp law, these injuries are classified as catastrophic:
- Any injury that requires the amputation of a leg, foot, arm, or hand.
- Damage that causes the effective loss of a hand, arm, leg or foot.
- Torso or limb paralysis as a result of an injury to the spinal cord.
- Third-degree and second-degree burns that cover more than 1/4th of the body.
- Third-degree burns covering more than 5 percent of the victim’s face.
- Any injury that causes complete blindness.
- A serious brain injury that causes a loss of communication, loss of function, or ongoing neurological conditions.
In general, if an injury is categorized as catastrophic because it causes the loss of an important part of your person. It can affect your vision, mobility, and brain. These injuries are often life-long and might not be able to lead to a complete recovery.
The injuries that result from them are extremely severe and require extreme care. It is very costly. It is a good idea to get compensation for any damage.
Catastrophic Injury Statistics
These injuries are much more common than we prefer. There are nearly 166 deaths each day caused by traumatic brain injuries (TBI). A mere 26 percent of TBI patients will recover within 5 years. A longer time to recover can lead to higher medical bills and an even greater need for compensation. TBIs have cost patients upwards of $1.5 billion annually.
The number of spinal cord injuries (SCI) each year is lower but still alarming. Medical experts estimate that close to 17,900 new SCI cases will be reported every year. This study also reveals that the majority of SCI cases are male. The majority of them are caused by automobile accidents, but a substantial number occurring at the workplace.
Traumatic amputations are often unplanned medical procedures that result from a devastating injury. There are at least 30,000 traumatic amputations in the United States every year. Similar to SCIs the majority of these amputations occur as a result of automobile accidents, with the second-most frequent incidence at the workplace. 70% of all traumatic injuries involve the upper limbs. Around 80 percent of patients who suffer from traumatic amputations are men.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of Catastrophic injuries?
It varies depending on the kind of injury and affected area. Whatever the type of injury the majority of patients suffer the same long-lasting effects. They include:
Long-Term Financial Loss
The need for ongoing physical therapy and medical care for years is common. These expenses add up quickly and can become overwhelming after only a few short months.
Career Change/Loss
If you’ve suffered a serious injury the chances are that you won’t be able to work for a while. It is possible that you will come back to work, or you may not be able to work in the same industry. After a good start to recovery, many patients are forced to switch careers.
Lifestyle Changes
These injuries can affect the way you move, think, as well as your senses. They may require medications and continued therapy. Chronic pain may restrict the activities that a patient can participate in. This can result in significant lifestyle adjustments for many patients.
What Are My Rights If I Am the Victim of a Serious Injury?
Yes. Georgia does not differentiate between catastrophic and standard injuries unless the injury is part of a workers’ comp claim. Like you normally have to do, you may file an individual injury claim. Georgia is also a modified comparative negligence state. This means that you are able to claim damages even if you’re only partially responsible for the incident that occurred.
What Is the Purpose of a Griffin Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?
Here are a few of the top reasons to hire an experienced attorney to handle cases of catastrophic injury.
Find Evidence
One of our primary tasks as lawyers is accumulating the necessary evidence in order to prove the guilt of the defendant. We attempt to prove that the party who suffered the injury is responsible and should be held accountable for any damage.
Negotiate an Out of Court Settlement
We want to settle your claims outside of the court system, which means you will receive the money quicker. Insurance companies are rarely agreeable in the matter of huge amounts of money needed to compensate for catastrophic injuries. We’ll continue to fight for you until we’ve reached a reasonable settlement that covers your loss.
Assist You in the Event That Your Case Goes to Trial
Sometimes the insurance company might respond and say that it will not pay for damages as long as it’s possible. That’s why we have to bring the case before a judge and present the evidence to a judge or jury. If the insurance company can’t see reason, then we can be sure that a jury of your peers surely will.
What Damages Can I Seek in a Catastrophic Injury Claim?
The three kinds of damages can be claimed in personal injury claims. They include:
Economic Damages
We can prove the loss using financial records like receipts, bills, and statements. These are the lost earnings, medical expenses, and costs for physical therapy.
Non-Economic Damages
The damages cannot be quantified using financial calculations. These damages can include mental stress, reputation loss, and other damages that are intangible.
Punitive Damages
These monetary damages are applied as a punishment against the defendant. They don’t need to be in conjunction with any loss caused by the victim. They may be enforced if the defendant was acting in a clearly negligent or in a dangerous way.
Contact Our Griffin Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Today
Are you dealing with an injury that could change your life? It may seem as though things aren’t improving currently. However, Wade Law is ready to assist. We’d like to put our knowledge of the law to good use by helping you get over the difficult financial challenges that arise from an accident that has caused serious injuries.
Don’t allow the person responsible to escape responsibility while you are facing lifelong medical bills. Contact us at 770-282-1188 for a free consultation with a Griffin, GA injury lawyer.
