There is no such thing as a “good injury,” but in terms of severity, a catastrophic injury would be considered the worst. These types of injuries tend to leave victims with more problems than just physical disability. They almost always involve ongoing physical therapy and medical bills that can surpass hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime.
Knowing what to do next and how to make payments following a catastrophic injury leads to worry and stress. If you’ve suffered from such an injury, then you may not be able to return to your place of work for months or years. Our Senoia catastrophic Injury lawyers at Wade Law are here to help you regain some semblance of stability. We aim to do that by making certain that the party responsible for your serious injury is the one putting forth the funds to cover those expensive medical bills.
Our trained attorneys have the experience required to prove liability and win claims in the state of Georgia. We have practiced law for more than 60 years and have helped clients receive compensation in a variety of personal injury claims. We want to help remove the immense stress and financial burden that comes with catastrophic injuries.
Contact our staff today at 770-282-1188 for a free review of your catastrophic injury case.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury case is differentiated from a standard personal injury claim based on the level of severity and the lasting effects of the injury. In general, a catastrophic injury is not a specific legal term with clearly defined criteria. However, Georgia law does outline catastrophic injuries in relation to workers’ compensation law. We can use these same criteria to define these types of injuries outside of the workplace as well.
According to workers’ compensation law, the following injuries are classified as catastrophic:
- Any injury that requires the amputation of a leg, foot, arm, or hand.
- Any injury that results in the effective loss of a leg, foot, arm, or hand.
- Any spinal cord injury that results in paralysis of the torso or limbs.
- Second and third-degree burns that cover more than 1/4th of the body.
- Third-degree burns if they cover more than 5 percent of the victim’s face.
- Any injury that causes complete blindness.
- Any severe brain injury that causes a loss of communication, cerebral function, or leads to ongoing neurological disorders.
In general, an injury is classified as catastrophic it causes the loss of a key element of your persona. This could include any of your limbs, your vision, your ability to maneuver, or a loss of cognitive function. These injuries tend to require life-long care and the victim may never experience a full recovery.
The extreme nature of these injuries and the care they require is not only debilitating but it is also very expensive. That’s why seeking compensation for your damages is always recommended.
Catastrophic Injury Statistics
These types of injuries are far more common than we would like to see. There are nearly 166 deaths each day caused by a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It’s estimated that only 26 percent of patients suffering from a severe TBI will improve over the next five years. Longer recovery periods lead to higher medical bills and an even greater need for compensation. TBIs cost patients over $1.5 billion each year combined.
The number of Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) each year is significantly lower but still alarming. Medical experts estimate close to 17,900 new SCI cases come in each year. The same study outlines that 78 percent of these SCI cases are male. The majority of them are caused by vehicle accidents with a large percentage also occurring at the workplace.
Traumatic amputations are unplanned medical procedures that are often the result of a catastrophic injury. There are at least 30,000 traumatic amputations in the United States every year. Similar to SCIs, most of these amputations are caused by vehicle injuries with the second largest percentage happening at the workplace. 70 percent of all traumatic injuries involve the upper limbs. Close to 80 percent of all traumatic amputation patients are men.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Catastrophic Injuries?
This varies significantly according to the nature of the injury and the area of the body that was affected. However, there are some lasting effects that are shared by nearly all patients regardless of the injury type. They include:
Long-Term Financial Loss
Ongoing physical therapy and medical care for decades are commonplace. These bills add up quickly and can become overwhelming after only a few short months.
Career Change/Loss
Chances are, you won’t be working for some time after suffering from a catastrophic injury. You may eventually be able to return to your place of work or you may be unable to continue in that same line of work. Many patients are forced to shift careers after making progress with recovery.
Lifestyle Changes
These injuries can impact movement, thinking, and your senses. They may require ongoing therapy and daily medications. Chronic pain can limit the types of activities the patient will be able to participate in. All of this leads to some pretty serious lifestyle changes for the majority of patients.
Can I Sue for a Catastrophic Injury?
Absolutely. Georgia does not differentiate between standard and catastrophic injuries unless the injury is part of a workers’ compensation claim. You can proceed with filing a personal injury claim as you would normally. Georgia is also a modified comparative negligence state. That means you can sue for damages even if you are partially liable for the accident occurring.
Why Do I Need a Senoia Catastrophic Injury Lawyer for a Claim?
Here are some of the top reasons to hire an experienced attorney for a catastrophic injury case.
Gather Evidence
One of our primary tasks as lawyers is to gather the necessary evidence to prove liability. We want to show that the party responsible for the injury is liable and should be held responsible for all damages.
Negotiate for Out of Court Settlement
Ideally, we want to settle our claims out of court so that you can get the money you owed faster. Insurance companies are rarely agreeable when it comes to the significant compensation required for catastrophic injury. But we won’t stop fighting for you until we’ve reached a reasonable settlement that covers your losses.
Represent You If Your Case Goes to Trial
In some cases, the insurance company will fight back and resist paying for damages as long as possible. That is when we take the claim to court and argue the evidence before a judge and jury. If the insurance company won’t see reason, then we know that a jury of your peers certainly will.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover in a Catastrophic Injury Claim?
The three types of damages available are the same for a standard personal injury claim. They are:
Economic Damages
We prove these losses using financial records like receipts, bills, and statements. They include medical expenses, physical therapy costs, and lost wages.
Non-Economic Damages
The value of these damages is not proven with financial calculations. They include mental anguish, loss of reputation, and other intangible damages.
Punitive Damages
These damages are enforced as a form of punishment against the defendant. They do not need to be represented with any loss by the victim. They are often enforced when the defendant acted in a clearly dangerous or reckless manner.
Contact Our Senoia Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Today
Have you experienced a catastrophic injury that is going to change your life forever? At this moment, it may seem like things could never possibly get better. But Wade Law is here to help. We want to put our legal experience to good use by helping you overcome the serious financial hurdles that follow a serious injury.
Don’t let the party responsible escape responsibility while you are stuck with lifelong medical bills. Call our highly trained staff today at 770-282-1188 and we will schedule a free case evaluation.
