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Can I Receive Compensation After a Catastrophic Injury?

Can I Receive Compensation After a Catastrophic Injury?

Shapiro Law Team May 19, 2022 Personal injury

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A catastrophic injury turns your life and the lives of your loved ones upside down. Not only do you experience significant physical damages, but emotional and mental ones can result as well. At Shapiro Law Team, we specialize in personal injury. We help accident victims navigate the legal system and negotiate insurance claims.

Find out what designates an injury as catastrophic, learn when you should seek out compensation, and discover how damages for catastrophic injuries are calculated.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

Catastrophic injuries are classified as any serious or permanent ailment. This life-changing injury falls into one of three types: physical, spinal cord, or cognitive. Physical injuries affect orthopedic function. Spinal cord injuries lead to mobility issues. Cognitive injuries result in brain damage.

Examples of catastrophic injuries include but are not limited to:

  • Amputations
  • Severe burns
  • Brain trauma
  • Quadriplegia
  • Paraplegia
  • Organ damage

The impacts of a catastrophic injury are felt by the victim and their families and loved ones. When you’re devastated by an injury, you’re dependent on someone else. As you recover from surgery or go through physical therapy, you need your loved one’s physical and emotional support.

A catastrophic injury can have a wide range of consequences, including:

  • The inability to work
  • The need for a permanent caretaker
  • Lifelong medications
  • Permanent disability
  • Chronic pain
  • Prosthetics
  • Assistive devices for mobility

The consequences of catastrophic injuries can be severe. That’s why it’s so important for victims, or their loved ones, to contact a reputable personal injury lawyer. Litigation can feel intimidating, but an experienced personal injury attorney will guide you every step of the way.

When Do I Seek Compensation

If the catastrophic injury was caused by the negligence of another person or entity, the victim or victim’s family should seek compensation. Negligence refers to the failure to meet the duties of care expected in a situation.

The best way to know if you have a right to compensation is to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss the details of your specific case. Speaking with an attorney should be your first step, before talking with insurance companies. Your attorney will handle all communication and negotiations to get you the settlement you deserve.

How Are Damages for Catastrophic Injuries Calculated?

Damages for catastrophic injuries are calculated based on the type of injury sustained, whether the victim is put out of work, and for emotional damage caused. Compensation can include the following:

Income Lost

A catastrophic injury can impact the victim’s ability to work, resulting in a loss of current wages and impacting the victim’s ability to earn in the future.

Medical Expenses

The initial hospital stay following the accident can be expensive, and there could be multiple surgeries and ongoing treatment needed. Physical therapy might be necessary as well. All medical bills are taken into account to calculate damages.

Quality of Life

A physical injury can negatively impact your mental and emotional well-being and overall quality of life. Anxiety, chronic pain, depression, and sleep disorders can all be considered. Of course, the victim’s medical records are reviewed, and experts will determine these non-economic damages and the impact on quality of life.

Miscellaneous Expenses

Expenses, medical bills, and recovery care add up quickly. When determining your compensation amount, your miscellaneous expenses will be considered. These include but aren’t limited to the following:

  • Medications
  • Medical supplies
  • Medical equipment
  • Home modifications
  • Long-term care

Loss of Consortium

Loss of consortium relates to the impact the accident had on the victim’s personal relationship with their spouse. Examples of lack of consortium may include loss of the following:

  • Physical intimacy
  • Affection
  • Support
  • Parental guidance
  • Spousal services

Consult With Scottsdale’s Top Personal Injury Lawyers

If you or a loved one have suffered from a catastrophic injury, you need immediate help. Hire the right personal injury lawyer that will work tirelessly to get you the settlement you deserve. Reach out to the trusted and experienced attorneys at Shapiro Law Team for legal help. With decades of experience and personalized attention, we are the trusted personal injury lawyers in Scottsdale and Phoenix, dedicated to helping victims receive the maximum compensation they deserve.

Request your free consultation today or call the David Shapiro Law team at (480) 571-2375.

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