Milledgeville Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

There is no way to define a “good injury,” but in terms of severity, a catastrophic injury would be considered the worst. They can result in more than just physical disability. They usually need ongoing physical therapy and medical costs that can exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout the lifetime of the victim.

Stress and anxiety can come due to not knowing what you need to do next or the best way to pay after a serious injury. You may be unable to get back to work for a few months or even years after suffering such an injury. Our Milledgeville catastrophic injury lawyers at Wade Law are here to help you recover a bit of stability. That is why we make sure that the party responsible for your serious injury is also the person paying the medical charges.

Our skilled attorneys have the knowledge and experience to prove that they are liable in Georgia. Our lawyers have been practicing law for over 60 years. We have assisted clients to win compensation in a variety of personal injury lawsuits. We’re here to ease the financial and emotional burden of injuries that are catastrophic.

Contact us today at 770-282-1188 for a free evaluation of your case involving a catastrophic injury.

Table of Contents

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

A case of catastrophic injury is different from a personal injury case because of the severity and lasting effects of the injury. In general, the definition of catastrophic injury is not a specific legal word with a clearly defined definition. Georgia law does, however, provide for catastrophic injuries under the workers’ compensation law. These identical criteria define the types of injuries that occur that are not related to work and also.

These injuries are considered catastrophic under workers’ compensation law:

  • Any injury that demands the amputation of a leg, foot, arm, or hand.
  • Any injury that results in functional loss of a leg, foot, arm, or hand.
  • Any spinal cord injury that causes paralysis of the torso or limbs.
  • Second and third-degree burns that are more than 1/4th of the body.
  • Third-degree burns if they’re greater than 5 percent of the victim’s face.
  • Any injury that causes total blindness.
  • A serious brain injury that causes a loss of brain function, communication, or leads to ongoing neurologic disorders.

A catastrophic injury can cause the loss or destruction of some of the most important parts of your personality. It can affect your sight, movement as well as your legs. These injuries are often life-long and could not lead to a complete recovery.

These injuries are severe and require extreme care. It’s very costly. So, seeking compensation for the damages you have suffered is always recommended.

Catastrophic Injury Statistics

These injuries are much more common than we would like. Around 166 people die each day because of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). It’s estimated that only 26 percent of people suffering from a serious TBI will recover over the next five years. The longer recovery time means greater medical costs and a greater need for compensation. Patients suffering from TBIs spend over $1.5 billion each year.

The number of spinal cord injuries (SCI) every year is much lower but still alarming. Medical experts estimate that around 17900 new SCI cases will be reported each year. According to the same study that found 78 percent of SCI cases involve males. The majority of them are the result of vehicle accidents with a large percentage also occurring at the workplace.

Traumatic amputations can be unintentionally medical procedures, usually caused by a severe injury. Each year, there are approximately 30,000 traumatic amputations in the United States. Similar to SCIs, most of these amputations occur as a result of accidents in the vehicle, with the second highest proportion occurring in the workplace. 70 percent of all trauma injuries are involving the upper limbs. Around 80 percent of traumatic amputation victims are men.

What Are the Effects of Catastrophic Injuries?

It is different based on the kind of injury and affected region. However, there are some lasting effects that are shared by almost all patients regardless of the injury type. These are:

Long-Term Financial Loss

It is not uncommon to require continuous physical therapy or medical care for several years. The costs can quickly pile up and can become overwhelming in only a couple of months.

Career Change/Loss

If you suffer a serious injury it is likely that you will not return to work for a period of time. It is possible that you will come back to work or be able to work in the same industry. After a good start to recovery, many patients need to switch careers.

Milledgeville catastrophic injury lawyer meeting with client

Lifestyle Changes

These injuries may affect the way you move, think, and your senses. They may require medical treatment and ongoing therapy. Chronic pain can hinder the types of activities the patient is able to engage in. This can lead to significant lifestyle changes for most patients.

Do I Have the Right to Sue for a Catastrophic Injury?

Yes. Georgia doesn’t distinguish between injuries that are catastrophic and normal unless the injury is part of a workers’ compensation claim. In the same way, apply for a personal injury case. Georgia is also a modified comparative negligence state. You can also claim damages even if you’re only partially responsible for the accident occurring.

What’s the Goal of a Milledgeville Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?

These are the top reasons you should seek out an experienced attorney to take care of a case that involves severe injuries.

Gather Evidence

One of our main responsibilities as lawyers is to collect all the evidence required in order to prove the guilt of the defendant. We need to establish that the party responsible for the injury is liable and accountable for any costs.

Negotiate an Out of Court Settlement

We want to settle your claims outside of court so that you can get your money more quickly. When it comes to a catastrophic injury, insurance companies are not necessarily willing to negotiate. We will fight for your rights until you get an acceptable settlement that pays you.

Assist You If You Go to Trial

Sometimes the insurance company might respond and say that it will not make payments for damages as long the claim is in doubt. That’s why we take the case to court and present the case to jurors and judges. If the insurance company can’t be able to see the rationale, we are sure that a jury composed of your peers definitely will.

What Type of Damages Can I Recover in a Catastrophic Injury Claim?

These three types of damages are available in personal injuries. They are:

Economic Damages

These losses can be proved by using financial records, such as receipts or statements, bills, and other financial documents. These include lost income, medical expenses, and the cost of physical therapy.

Non-economic Damages

The damages cannot be quantified through financial calculations. The damages are mental anguish or loss of reputation and other intangible damage.

Punitive Damages

These damages are enforced to punish the defendant. They don’t have to in conjunction with any loss caused by the victim. They may be enforced if the defendant behaved in a clearly negligent or dangerous manner.

Contact Our Milledgeville Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Today

Are you the victim of a tragic accident that will alter your life for good? It might seem as if you’re not getting better at the moment. Wade Law can assist. We’d like to put our knowledge of the law to use in helping you get over the difficult financial hurdles that follow a serious injury.

Don’t allow the responsible party to escape the responsibility of paying for your lifelong medical expenses. Contact our expert team today by dialing 770-282-1188 and we’ll arrange an evaluation of your Milledgeville injury case for free.