A severe injury that has long-lasting or permanent effects on someone’s physical, emotional, or intellectual abilities is considered a catastrophic injury. These injuries completely change the way the victim lives their life. For example, they might have to hire full-time nursing care and be unable to work, which may impede their standard of living.
If you sustained a catastrophic injury, you shouldn’t have to pick up the pieces and put your life back together alone. A Maryland personal injury lawyer can seek a financial award that covers the full extent of your injuries and damages.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Many different types of accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries, including:
- Slip and falls
- Boating accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Truck accidents
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Construction accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Defective products
A personal injury attorney can represent you in your case against the party who caused the accident and your catastrophic injuries.
Contact Us Today And Take The First Step Towards Justice In Your Case! Call (410)777-8960
Catastrophic Injuries Can Take Many Forms
A catastrophic injury can affect nearly every aspect of the victim’s life. The following are considered catastrophic injuries:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): According to the Mayo Clinic, a TBI occurs when someone sustains a strong blow or jolt to the head. These injuries range from mild to severe. In the case of the former, the brain cells are only temporarily affected. For the latter, the brain may sustain physical damage that leads to long-term complications.
- Spinal cord injury (SCI): The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) states that an SCI damages the bundle of nerves that makes up the spinal cord. The victim might sustain numbness in their hands and feet, weakness, or paralysis.
- Internal injuries: Sometimes, catastrophic injuries aren’t detectable right away. Organ damage and internal bleeding can be fatal if they are not promptly treated.
- Severe burns: Per Johns Hopkins Medicine, burns can range in severity from first-degree burns to fourth-degree burns. Third-degree burns severely damage the skin and nerve endings. Fourth-degree burns also affect bones, tendons, or muscles.
- Multiple broken bones: According to the Cleveland Clinic, depending on the severity of broken bones, victims might require surgery.
- Amputation: Losing all or part of an arm, leg, or other body part can severely affect your ability to care for your everyday needs.
We cannot stress the importance of getting immediate medical attention enough. If the ambulance didn’t come to the accident scene and take you to the hospital, please go yourself. A medical professional can start treating your injuries immediately and might even find injuries that haven’t manifested symptoms yet. Prompt medical care could mean the difference between life and death in some cases.
In addition, seeking medical treatments creates a paper trail connecting the accident to your injuries.
Securing Financial Compensation for Your Catastrophic Injury
There is no set amount that catastrophic injury victims can get in a settlement. Each case is different, so your unique damages will determine what your case is worth. However, compensation is usually available in two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are financial losses that injury victims incur. Common examples include:
- Past and future medical expenses: You might have bills for surgery, assistive medical devices, medications, physical therapy, follow-up doctor’s appointments, emergency transportation, and imaging scans.
- Property damage costs: If you were in a motor vehicle accident, your car was likely damaged or totaled.
- Loss of income: Catastrophic injuries can put you out of work for weeks, months, or the rest of your life.
- Reduced earning capacity: Your catastrophic injury might force you to work fewer hours or days or accept a different job that doesn’t pay as much as your previous one.
- Home renovations: You might have to change your house structure or appliances to accommodate the limitations your injuries have caused.
- Wrongful death: If your loved one suffered a fatal injury, a Maryland wrongful death lawyer can help you seek funds for their burial and funeral service, as well as their medical bills and loss of wages.
Non-Economic Damages
Your compensation should account for the physical and emotional effects the accident and your injuries have had on you. Your personal injury attorney can request compensation for:
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
You might be able to seek other forms of compensation not listed here. The attorneys at our personal injury law firm can review your personal injury claim and fight for a fair financial outcome on your behalf.
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Our Maryland Catastrophic Injury Attorneys Want to Help You
As a victim of a catastrophic injury, you probably aren’t in any place to build a case, negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company, and fight for fair compensation. You should instead put your energy toward your recovery.
Consider leaving the legal process to our attorneys at Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers. We can perform these functions for you:
- Requesting a copy of the police report
- Speaking to your medical team and collecting your medical records
- Creating an evidence file
- Fighting to hold the liable party accountable for your damages
- Speaking to and negotiating for a settlement with the insurance company
- Taking your catastrophic injury case to court, if needed
Please don’t wait to get in touch with our law firm. Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 5-101 (Maryland’s personal injury statute of limitations) and Md. Cts. Jud. Proc. Code § 3-904 (Maryland’s wrongful death statute of limitations) generally allow just three years to take legal action against the liable party. You might be unable to file after the deadline, which may leave you without any options for compensation.
If you inform us about what happened sooner than later, we can file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party before the statute of limitations expires.
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Get Help From a Maryland Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today
Our lawyers have helped many clients win the compensation they deserve. Consider checking out our client reviews to learn about their experiences working with us.
If you or a loved one recently suffered a catastrophic injury in a negligence-based accident, call Adam Smallow for a free initial consultation today.
Call or text (410)777-8960 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form