After an accident, a lawsuit may be necessary if another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions resulted in physical injuries. It is more likely that a lawsuit will be necessary if the accident causes catastrophic injuries. These types of injuries, including spinal cord injuries, amputations, significant burns, and traumatic brain injuries, have major effects on the victim’s life and may even cause permanent damage.
If you have suffered a catastrophic injury, you need the support of an attorney to advocate for you during your personal injury lawsuit. A Ponchatoula catastrophic injury lawyer has the skills and experience to collect evidence, collaborate with specialists, and develop compelling arguments to secure the compensation you deserve. This compensation could cover everything from previous and future medical costs to lost income and damages for your pain and suffering.
Accidents That Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are life-altering and often permanent. They typically occur in accidents that involve high levels of force, severe impacts, or dangerous conditions. One of the most common causes is motor vehicle collisions, particularly those involving commercial trucks, motorcycles, or high-speed impacts. These accidents can result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or multiple fractures.
Catastrophic injuries may also occur in pedestrian accidents, where a person’s body is completely unprotected against the full force of a vehicle. Falls from significant heights, such as in construction or workplace incidents, can lead to paralysis, severe head trauma, or internal injuries.
Fires, explosions, and exposure to toxic chemicals, whether in industrial settings or residential environments, can also cause devastating harm, including severe burns or respiratory failure. Regardless of the cause, these injuries require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and often, a complete adjustment to a new way of life. A Ponchatoula attorney could help you determine your legal options after a catastrophic injury.
Filing a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit
As your Ponchatoula attorney may explain, catastrophic injury claims are a subset of personal injury law. However, these cases often present greater legal complexity due to the substantial nature of the claims. Both the necessary evidence and the sought-after damages are more extensive in these cases, reflecting the profound impact of the injury on the individual’s life.
Though these cases may be more complicated, they still follow the same general procedures as other personal injury cases under state law. As the injured party, you are the plaintiff, who files suit against the defendant or defendants whose behavior caused your injury. With few exceptions, you must file the suit within two years from the date of the accident.
Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Case
When filing a personal injury lawsuit involving catastrophic harm, determining the full scope of damages is a crucial step. The court may award special damages, which compensate for direct and measurable financial losses. These include medical expenses, the cost of prescription medications, rehabilitation or physical therapy, property damage such as vehicle repairs, and lost wages resulting from time away from work.
In addition to special damages, you may also seek general damages, which compensate for non-economic harm such as physical pain, emotional suffering, and diminished quality of life. In cases where the defendant’s behavior was especially egregious, either reckless or intentional, the court may also award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
Catastrophic injury cases often involve long-term or permanent consequences. You may be entitled to additional compensation for future medical care, in-home assistance, assistive devices, or necessary home modifications. You might also seek damages for a shortened life expectancy or the emotional trauma associated with a dramatic change in physical or cognitive ability. As your legal advocates in Ponchatoula, we can present medical records, expert testimony, and economic analysis to ensure the court understands the full impact of your injuries and the damages you are owed.
Contact Our Ponchatoula Lawyers for Help With Your Catastrophic Injury Claim
If someone else’s careless, reckless, or deliberate actions caused your severe injuries, state law provides you the right to seek financial recovery for your damages. You may need assistance not only to heal but also to adapt to the significant life alterations resulting from your injury. Legal compensation could help you navigate these challenges and recover your losses.
A Ponchatoula catastrophic injury lawyer could provide essential support and guidance during your medical recovery and legal proceedings. Call Tomeny | Best today to speak with our experienced attorneys about your case. We could advocate for you by handling all aspects of your case, from filing to proving causation and negotiating a just settlement, allowing you to concentrate on healing.
