A personal injury is never ideal. No matter how you are injured due to another party's negligence, you are entitled to be made whole for your damages. Personal injury cases vary from minor physical injuries to catastrophic injuries that can be life-altering. If you or a loved one has suffered what you believe to be a catastrophic injury, you need to work with a personal injury attorney who specializes in these types of cases. These cases can get complex. Here are the things you should know about catastrophic injury cases.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is an injury received that results in a major disability that is permanent. These injuries are associated with changes in lifestyle and standards of living.
These injuries can be the result of a fire, fall, car accident, manufacturers defect, or any other instance of negligence. Catastrophic injuries can include amputations, brain injuries, paralysis, and burns. These types of injuries can prevent a person from being able to work, take care of their own personal needs, care for loved ones, or function as they were able to prior to the accident.
Should You Settle Without an Attorney?
You need to hire an attorney to help you with a catastrophic injury case, even if the defendant is going to settle with you for your damages. Although you may believe you received a good settlement offer, chances are an attorney can help you get more. You may not know all of the legalities of the case or fully understand what you are entitled to for these claims. You also may not have thought ahead to how much your life or your loved one's life has changed and all the necessary accommodations that are now needed.
An attorney can fight for your medical expenses, lost wages, and future lost wages because you will no longer be able to work in the same way as prior to the accident, pain and suffering, and possibly punitive damages. You may also get compensation for mental and emotional damages as well.
In addition to legal assistance, an attorney can bring on a variety of specialists to provide testimony to the extent of your injuries to help prove the need to as much compensation as possible. Expert testimony can come from medical professionals, other legal professionals, career counselors, mental health experts, and the like. Never try to take on a catastrophic injury claim yourself without the assistance of an attorney.
For more information, contact a personal injury lawyer near you.