While accidents resulting in injuries are quite common in the United States, there is nothing as devastating as suffering injuries so severe that they leave you with long-term disability or debilitation. Victims of catastrophic injuries often require extensive medical treatment, adaptive medical equipment, physical therapy, and personal assistance for the rest of their lives. The ongoing medical costs, loss of earning capacity, and need for regular care can take a heavy toll on both the victims and their families.
Fortunately, if these injuries were caused by the negligence of someone else, our Brooks catastrophic injury lawyers can help you get justice. Georgia’s personal injury laws allow catastrophic injury victims to seek financial compensation from whoever caused or contributed to their injuries. The effects of a catastrophic injury can alter your life forever. It is important that you take quick action to protect your rights.
At Wade Law, we understand what you are going through and what you stand to face in the future. We will draw on our wealth of experience and extensive resources to put up a strong for you and ensure that you are fully and maximumly compensated for your injuries and losses. Call our Brooks, GA personal injury lawyers today at 770-282-1188 to schedule a free case review.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is an injury so severe that leads to lasting disabilities and complications that impact almost all aspects of the victim’s life. In legal terms, it is defined as an injury that has direct and proximate consequences that permanently prevent the victim from performing any gainful work.
Catastrophic injuries typically involve deformity or loss of physical/mental capacity resulting from a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, severe burn, or amputation.
Catastrophic Injury Statistics
It is estimated that each year in the U.S., more than 17,000 people suffer spinal cord injuries. These types of injuries often lead to limited movement or complete paralysis.
According to the most recent data from the CDC, there were nearly 61,000 traumatic brain injury-related deaths in 2019 in the United States. At least 2 million people each year suffer a TBI. A traumatic brain injury often leads to cognitive and memory issues, trouble with movement, speech, and behavior.
It is estimated that more than 185,000 amputations are conducted each year in the country. Currently, 2.1 million people in the U.S. are living with limb loss.
What Are The Long-Term Effects of Catastrophic Injuries?
A catastrophic injury can have long-term effects on all aspects of your life. Understanding some of these potential long-term effects can help you better prepare for the future.
Financial Impact
A catastrophic injury often means an extended stay at the hospital, advanced medical treatments and equipment, ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation, as well as regular personal care and assistance. All these factors can cause your bills to quickly add up.
In addition to this, in most cases, catastrophic injury victims are rendered unable to work which leads to lost wages and loss of earning capacity which worsens their financial troubles.
Change in Lifestyle
A catastrophic injury can leave you with limited mobility, chronic pain, and other issues that prevent you from engaging in activities that you previously enjoyed and regularly partook in. This drastic change in lifestyle can have a severe effect on one’s mental health.
Impact on Your Professional Life
Following a catastrophic injury, and depending on the nature of your occupation, you might find it impossible to go back to work, especially if it is physically demanding.
Can I Sue for a Catastrophic Injury in Brooks, Georgia?
Suffering a catastrophic injury doesn’t outrightly guarantee your right to compensation. For the at-fault party to be held liable the following elements of negligence must be present:
Duty of Care
You have to prove that the accused owed you a certain standard of reasonable care in that particular situation to ensure your safety and that of others.
Breach of Duty of Care
The accused didn’t adhere to this standard of care and failed to act in a manner a reasonable person would in that particular situation.
Causation
You have to prove that the defendant’s actions caused your injuries.
Damages
Lastly, you have to prove that as a result of the accident, you suffered legally compensable damages and losses.
It is also important to consider that Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state which means that you have to be less than 50% at fault for your injuries for you to recover damages. In addition, your amount of compensable damages will be reduced by your percent of fault.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer for a Catastrophic Injury Claim?
When dealing with a catastrophic injury claim, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced Brooks catastrophic injury lawyer. Compared to other personal injury cases, the stakes are unusually high. Considering the seriousness of your injuries and the impact such injuries can have on your life, it is crucial that you let the best legal minds fight for you.
Here’s how a Brooks catastrophic injury lawyer can help with your case:
Gather Evidence
We will conduct thorough investigations and collect and analyze all the necessary evidence to determine exactly who is at fault for your injuries. This includes police reports, witness statements, video recordings, pictures, etc.
We will also review your medical records and work with experts to determine the real value of your claim. Once this is done we will help you to properly file the lawsuit.
Negotiate for Out of Court Settlement
Next, our attorneys will seek to reach a favorable settlement agreement with the liable parties. Our team will handle all the communication and negotiations with the liable parties and fight for the best settlement amount in your case.
Represent You if Your Case Goes to Trial
If we can’t reach a favorable settlement agreement during the negotiations phase, we will prepare your case for trial. Here, we will fight aggressively for your rights before a jury and draw on our long-standing court experience to ensure a favorable verdict in your case. We will leave no stone unturned in the quest for justice.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover in a Catastrophic Injury Claim?
There are three types of damages you can recover in a catastrophic injury claim in Brooks, GA.
Economic Damages
These are awarded to compensate the victim for objective losses that can be assigned a monetary value. These include medical bills, lost income, loss of earning capacity, caregiving costs, etc.
Non-Economic Damages
These are designed to compensate the victim for subjective losses that can’t be assigned a monetary value. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of limb function, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages
These types of damages aren’t awarded to compensate the victim but rather to punish the defendant for grossly negligent, intentional, or malicious behavior that causes harm. The state of Georgia has capped punitive damages at $250,000.
Speak to an Experienced Brooks Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
If you have sustained a catastrophic injury following an accident caused by the negligent or wrongful acts of someone else, you already have more than enough on your plate. You aren’t in a position to effectively and objectively deal with the complexities of a catastrophic injury claim.
Your best move is to let a skilled and experienced team of catastrophic attorneys fight for you. Remember, the outcome of this case will have a significant impact on the financial future and wellbeing of both you and your family. Our Brooks, GA legal team at Wade Law has the necessary experience and resources to ensure the best outcome in your case.
Call us today at 770-282-1188 for a free case review and let us help you get the maximum compensation.
