There is no anything that can be described as a “good injury” but in terms of severity, a catastrophic injury would be considered the worst. The kind of injuries that are common usually leave victims with more problems than just physical disability. They almost always involve continuing physical therapy and medical bills that can surpass hundreds of thousands of dollars over a period of time.
Stress and worry can result due to not knowing what you need to do next or how to settle the bill after an injury that is serious. It’s possible to not return to work for several months, or even for a long time following an injury. Wade Law’s Rex catastrophic injury lawyers can assist you to gain some stability. This is why we make sure that the person responsible for your serious injury is also the person who is responsible for the high medical expenses.
Our experienced attorneys are knowledgeable and have the skills to establish liability in Georgia. Our attorneys are practicing law for over 60 years. We have assisted clients in winning compensation in a variety of personal injury claims. We are here to ease the financial and emotional burden of catastrophic injuries.
To get a no-cost assessment of your catastrophic injury case call us at 770-282-1188.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury case is different from a personal injury claim due to the extent and long-lasting effects of the injury. The term “catastrophic injury” is not legally recognized and has distinct standards. But, Georgia law does outline catastrophic injuries as a result of workers’ compensation law. These same criteria determine these kinds of injuries beyond the workplace as well.
These injuries are considered to be catastrophic under workers’ compensation law:
- Any injury that leads to the need for amputating the leg, foot, hand, or arm.
- Any injury that results in the effective loss of a leg or foot, arm or hand.
- Paralysis of the limbs or the torso because of a spinal cord injury.
- Third and second-degree burns covering more than 1/4th of the body.
- Third-degree burns extending over more than 5 percent of the victim’s face.
- A traumatic injury that results in total blindness.
- Any brain injury that leads to a loss of communication or cerebral functioning, or causes neurological problems.
In general, an injury is considered to be catastrophic if it causes the loss of a key part of your personal. This can include your limbs, your vision, your ability to maneuver and move about, or the loss of cognitive function. These injuries may last for a lifetime and are not guaranteed to result in a complete recovery.
These injuries are serious and require special care. It’s very costly. It is best to get compensation for any damage.
Catastrophic Injury Statistics
These kinds of injuries are far more common than we would prefer to see. More than 166 people die every day due to traumatic brain injuries (TBI). It’s believed that just 26 percent of patients who suffer from a severe TBI will recover over the next five years. More time for recovery means greater medical costs and a greater need for compensation. TBI sufferers pay an average of $1.5 billion annually.
The amount of spinal cord injuries (SCI) every year is significantly lower but still alarming. Medical experts estimate close to 17900 new SCI cases will be reported every year. According to the same study, 78 percent of these SCI cases involve men. The majority of them result from vehicle accidents with a large proportion occurring at the workplace.
Traumatic amputations are unplanned medical procedures that often are caused by a devastating accident. There are as many as 30,000 traumatized amputations occurring in the United States every year. Similar to SCIs many of the amputations are caused by automobile accidents with the highest proportion occurring in the workplace. 70 percent of all trauma-related injuries occur to the upper limbs. Around 80 percent of patients who suffer from trauma amputations are men.
What Are the Effects of Catastrophic Injury in the Long-Term?
This varies significantly according to the nature of the injury and the region of the body affected. However, there are permanent effects that are experienced with nearly all patients, regardless of the injury type. They include:
Long-Term Financial Loss
Ongoing medical and physical therapy for years is routine. These expenses can quickly add to become overwhelming in the space of a few months.
Career Change/Loss
There is a good chance that you’re not going to be working for some time after having suffered a serious injury. You may be able to come back to work, or you may not be able to continue working in the same field. Many patients are forced to change jobs after making gains in recovery.
Lifestyle Shifts
The injuries can affect movement, thinking, and your senses. They may require ongoing therapy and medication on a daily basis. Chronic pain can restrict the kinds of activities that the patient will be able to engage in. All of this results in some very serious lifestyle changes for the majority of patients.
Can I Sue for a Catastrophic Injury?
Yes. Georgia does not distinguish between catastrophic and regular injuries unless the injury is part of the workers’ compensation claim. You can proceed with filing a personal injury lawsuit as you would normally. Georgia is also a modified comparative negligence state. This means that you are able to claim damages even if you’re partly responsible for the accident occurring.
What’s the Point of Hiring a Rex Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?
Here are some of the most compelling reasons to employ an experienced attorney for a catastrophic injury case.
Gather Evidence
As lawyers, our main obligation is to collect the evidence necessary to prove responsibility. We want to show that the person responsible for the injury is liable and should be held responsible for any damages.
Negotiate an Out of Court Settlement
Ideally, we want to settle our claims outside of court so that you will receive the money have to pay faster. When it comes to catastrophic accidents, insurance companies are not necessarily willing to negotiate. We will fight for your rights until we achieve an appropriate settlement that will compensate you.
Represent You If You Go to Trial
In certain situations, the insurance company may argue and try to stop paying to compensate the victim for the damage for as much as they can. This is the time to take the case to court and present the evidence before jurors or a judge. If the insurance company won’t see reason, then we can be sure that a jury of your peers will certainly.
What Damages Am I Able to Recover in a Catastrophic Injury Claim?
Three types of damages are available for personal injury claims. They are:
Economic Damages
We demonstrate these losses with financial records like invoices, receipts, and statements. These losses include medical costs as well as physical therapy expenses, as well as lost wages.
Non-Economic Damages
The damages cannot be quantified through financial calculations. These damages include mental anguish, reputation loss, and other irreparable damages.
Punitive Damages
The damages are able to be used as punishment against the defendant. They don’t have to be accompanied by any loss suffered by the victim. They are typically enforced when the defendant behaved in a clearly dangerous or reckless way.
Contact Our Rex Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Today
Are you suffering from a devastating injury that could alter your life for good? Right now, it appears as if your life could never improve. Wade Law can aid you. We are here to help you with the financial challenges which can result from the serious injuries that you sustain.
Don’t let the responsible party get away with the responsibility while you’re paying for your medical bills for the rest of your life. Contact us at 770-282-1188 for a free case evaluation of your injury claim in Rex, Georgia.
