While there isn’t a thing as a “good” injury, but a catastrophic injury will be the most serious. These types of injuries can cause more than physical impairment. They often require continuing physical therapy and medical expenses that could exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime.
Understanding what you should do in the next step and how to pay payments after a devastating injury leads to worry and stress. It is possible that you will not be able to get back to work for several months or even years after suffering an injury. Our Lovejoy catastrophic injury lawyers at Wade Law will assist you in regaining a sense of stability. We want to achieve this by ensuring that the person responsible for your serious injury is one who has the funds to cover the medical bills.
Our experienced attorneys have the experience required to prove liability and get claims settled in the state of Georgia. Our lawyers have been practicing law for more than 60 years. We have helped clients receive compensation for many personal injuries claims. We’re ready to help alleviate the emotional and financial burden of injuries that are catastrophic.
To get a no-cost assessment of your catastrophic injury case, contact us by calling 770-282-1188.
What Is a Catastrophic injury?
A catastrophic injury claim is differentiated from a standard personal injury claim based on the level of severity and the long-lasting effects of the injury. In general, a catastrophic injury is not a legally defined word with a clearly defined definition. Georgia law does, however, provide for catastrophic injuries in workers insurance law. These same guidelines define the types of injuries that occur that are not related to work too.
These injuries are considered extremely serious under workers’ compensation law:
- Any injury that results in the need for amputating a leg, foot, or hand, arm.
- Any injury that results in the effective loss of a leg, foot, hand, or arm.
- Any spinal cord injury that causes paralysis of the torso or limbs.
- Third-degree and second-degree burns that take up more than 1/4 of the body.
- Third-degree burns that take up more than five percent of the victim’s face.
- Any injury that causes total blindness.
- Any serious brain injury that results in a loss of the ability to communicate or cerebral function, or leads to ongoing neurologic disorders.
A serious accident is one that results in loss or damage to the major components of your personality. It may affect your sight, movement as well as your joints. These types of injuries typically require life-long care and the patient may not experience a complete recovery.
The extreme nature of these injuries and the care required for them can be debilitating and it’s also extremely expensive. This is why seeking compensation for the damages you have suffered is always advised.
Catastrophic Injury Statistics
These types of injuries are more common than we would prefer to see. There are 166 deaths each day caused by traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Just 26 percent of TBI patients recover within 5 years. Longer recovery periods lead to increased medical costs and a more urgent need for compensation. TBIs can cost patients more than $1.5 billion annually.
The number of spinal cord injuries (SCI) every year is considerably lower, yet still alarming. Medical experts estimate close to 17900 new SCI cases occur each year. This study also reveals that 78 percent of these SCI instances are men. Most of them result from accidents in the vehicle, with a high percentage also occurring at the workplace.
Traumatic amputations are not planned medical procedures that usually are the result of a catastrophic accident. Each year, there are approximately 30000 traumatic amputations occurring in the United States. Similar to SCIs and the majority of amputations happen because of injuries sustained in motor vehicles with the second highest number occurring in the workplace. 70 percent of all traumatic injuries involve the upper limbs. About 80 percent of victims of traumatic amputations are males.
What Are the Long-Term Impacts of Catastrophic Injuries?
This is largely dependent on the nature of the injury and the region of the body that was affected. However, there are some lasting effects shared in the majority of patients regardless of the nature of the injury. They include:
Long-Term Financial Loss
It is typical to require ongoing physical therapy or medical care for several years. These bills can quickly add up and can become overwhelming in just a few months.
Career Change/Loss
If you suffer a serious injury it is likely that you will not work for some time. You may eventually be able to return to the job you were employed at or you might not be able to work in a similar field of work. A lot of patients have to change jobs after making progress in recovering.
Lifestyle Changes
These injuries may affect the way you move, think, and your senses. The injuries could require daily medications and continued therapy. Chronic pain may limit the activities a patient can take part in. This can lead to significant 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 it’s part of a workers’ comp claim. It is possible to file an injury claim the way you would normally. Georgia is also a modified comparative negligence state. This means that you can sue even if your accident was partially your fault.
Why Do I Need a Lovejoy Catastrophic Injury Lawyer for a Claim?
Here are a few of the most compelling reasons to employ an experienced attorney in cases of catastrophic injury.
Gather Evidence
As lawyers, our main duty is to gather the evidence required to prove that you are not responsible. We seek to prove that the person who caused the injury is liable and accountable for all the damages.
Negotiate an Out of Court Settlement
In the ideal scenario, we would like to settle our claims out of court so that you receive the money owed faster. Insurance companies aren’t always cooperative regarding the substantial amount of compensation needed for a catastrophic injury. We won’t stop fighting for you until we’ve secured a reasonable settlement that covers your loss.
Assist You If Your Case Goes to Trial
Sometimes the insurance company could resist and not pay for damages as long as it’s possible. This is why we take the case before a judge and present our evidence to the judge or jury. If the insurance company doesn’t understand the logic, then we know that a jury of your peers will certainly.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Catastrophic Damage Claim?
The three kinds of damages available are the same for an ordinary personal injury claim. They are:
Economic Damages
We can prove the loss with financial records like bills, receipts, and statements. They are medical expenses as well as physical therapy expenses, as well as lost wages.
Non-Economic Damages
The worth of these damages isn’t established by the use of financial calculations. They include mental anguish, loss of reputation, as well as other damages intangible.
Punitive Damages
The damages are able to be used as punishment against the defendant. They don’t have to be associated with losses to the victim. They are often enforced when the defendant acted in a clear risky or reckless manner.
Get in Touch With Our Lovejoy Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Today
Are you the victim of a tragic injury that could alter your life forever? It could seem like things aren’t improving at the moment. Wade Law can help. We want to put our expertise in law to good use by helping you to overcome the daunting legal hurdles that can arise following a serious injury.
Don’t allow the person at fault to escape responsibility while you are paying for your medical bills for the rest of your life. Contact our team at 770-282-1188 to schedule a complimentary assessment of your Lovejoy, GA case.
