While there isn’t a thing “good” injury, but a catastrophic injury could be the most severe. These kinds of injuries often result in more complications than physical impairment. Most of the time, these injuries need ongoing physical therapy as well as medical expenses that may exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of the person’s life.
Understanding what you should do next and the best way to make payments after suffering a severe injury causes anxiety and stress. If you’ve suffered from such an injury, then you may not be capable of returning to your workplace for months or even years. Wade Law’s South Fulton catastrophic injury lawyers can assist you to get back to stability. This is why we make sure that the person responsible for your injury is also the one who pays the expensive medical costs.
Our experienced attorneys have the knowledge and experience to establish liability in Georgia. We have practiced law for over 60 years and have helped clients get compensation for a variety of personal injury cases. We are there to assist clients with the emotional and financial burden of catastrophic injuries.
For a free assessment of your case involving a catastrophic injury call us by calling 770-282-1188.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury case is different from a normal personal injury lawsuit based on the severity of the incident and the lasting impact of the accident. A catastrophic injury is usually not legally recognized and has distinct guidelines. But, Georgia law does outline the definition of catastrophic injuries under workers’ compensation law. It is possible to use identical criteria to define these types of injuries that are not related to work and also.
The following injuries are classified as catastrophic under workers’ compensation law:
- Any injury that leads to the need to amputate the foot, leg, hand, or arm.
- A sprain that causes the functional loss of a leg, foot, hand, or arm.
- Any spinal cord injury that results in paralysis of the limbs or torso.
- Third-degree and second-degree burns affecting more than 1/4th of the body.
- Third-degree burns that cover more than 5 percent of the face.
- Any injury that causes total blindness.
- Any brain injury which results in the loss of communication or brain function, or results in ongoing neurological disorders.
In general, an injury is categorized as catastrophic because and causes the loss of an important aspect of your character. It may affect your vision, mobility as well as your limbs. These injuries can be life-long, and you may not experience a complete recovery.
The extreme nature of these injuries as well as the treatment they require are not just debilitating, but also very expensive. It’s a good idea to claim compensation for any injuries.
Catastrophic Injury Statistics
These kinds of injuries are much more frequent than we’d like to observe. Nearly 166 people are killed each day as a result of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The majority of TBI patients recover within five years. A longer recovery time means higher medical bills, and a higher need to seek compensation. TBIs can cost patients more than $1.5 billion each year combined.
Although the amount of spinal cord injuries (SCIs) is much lower than what was expected, it’s nevertheless alarming. The experts estimate that up to 17900 cases of SCI are reported each year. A similar study shows that 78 % of SCI victims are male. The majority of spinal cord injuries are caused by vehicle accidents with a large portion occurring in the workplace.
Traumatic amputations are not planned medical procedures that are often the result of a catastrophic injury. At least 30,000 traumatic amputations occur in the United States every year. Like SCIs, the majority of amputations are due to vehicle injuries with the second-highest percentage occurring at work. 70 percent of all traumatic injuries impact the upper limbs. Nearly 80 percent of all traumatic amputation patients are male.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Catastrophic Injuries?
The severity of this varies greatly based on the type of 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 injury type. They include:
Long-Term Financial Loss
In-continuous medical treatment and physical therapy for decades are standard. These costs can quickly add to become overwhelming in just a few months.
Career Change/Loss
There is a good chance that you’re not going to be working for some time following being injured in a major way. You may eventually be capable of returning to the job you were employed at or you might not be able to continue in that same line of work. After making good progress in recuperation, many patients choose to change jobs.
Lifestyle Changes
These injuries may affect your movement, thinking, and senses. These injuries can require regular treatment and medication. Chronic pain can hinder the types of activities the patient can engage in. This can lead to significant modifications to lifestyles for the majority of patients.
What Are My Rights If I’m the Victim of a Severe Injury?
You can sue. Georgia does not differentiate between standard and catastrophic injuries except when the injury is part of a workers’ comp claim. Similar to what you’d normally do have to do, you may file a personal injury case. Georgia also follows the modified comparative negligence rule. It means you can sue for damages even if you are partially liable for the incident.
Why Do I Need a South Fulton Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?
These are the top reasons to hire a seasoned attorney to take care of a case that involves catastrophic injuries.
Gather Evidence
As lawyers, one of our primary jobs is to collect the evidence necessary to prove liability. We must prove that the person who caused the injury is responsible and accountable for any costs.
Find a Way to Negotiate an Out of Court Settlement
Ideally, we want to settle claims out of court to ensure that you are able to collect the amount you deserve faster. When it comes to catastrophic injuries, insurance companies are not always willing to make concessions. But we won’t stop fighting until we’ve reached a reasonable settlement that covers your expenses.
Advocate for You If Your Case Goes to Trial
Sometimes, the insurance company may fight back and refuse to pay for damages as long it is possible. This is why we bring the case to court to present our case before a judge and jury. If the insurance company can’t think that there is a reason for it you can be certain that a jury will.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover in a Catastrophic Injury Claim?
The three types of damages that are available are the same for the typical personal injury case. They include:
Economic Damages
These losses can be verified using financial records such as receipts or statements, bills, and various financial documents. This includes lost wages, medical expenses, and physical therapy costs.
Non-Economic Damages
They cannot be quantified by financial calculations. They include mental anguish, loss of reputation, and other intangible damages.
Punitive Damages
The monetary damages are applied to punish the defendant. They don’t need to be in conjunction with any loss that the victim suffers. They are usually enforced only when the defendant has acted in a clearly risky or reckless way.
Contact Our South Fulton Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Today
Are you dealing with an injury that could change your life? It might seem as if things aren’t improving in the present. However, Wade Law is available to assist. We are here to help you with the financial challenges which can result from serious injuries.
Do not allow the party responsible to escape liability while you are still paying your ongoing medical expenses. Contact us at the number 770-282-1188 to schedule a complimentary assessment of your South Fulton case.
