What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury is a life-altering injury that affects the victim’s ability to go on with their normal daily functions. These injuries can include traumatic brain injuries, spine and neck injuries, limb loss, disfigurement, burns, and/or injuries that result in blindness or deafness. They are incredibly serious and often require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to another party’s negligence, it is important to understand your legal rights and seek professional legal representation from an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Why Catastrophic Injury Cases Are Difficult but Worth Pursuing

Catastrophic injury cases can be complex and difficult cases to manage because of the long-term effects these types of incidents can have on the victim. As such, it is important for injured individuals and their families to understand their legal rights and options when dealing with catastrophic injuries caused by someone else's negligence.

The following types of accidents are more likely to result in catastrophic injury:

  • Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
  • Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
  • Construction site accidents
  • Heavy machinery accidents
  • Birth injury accidents

While pursuing any type of claim can be daunting, it is essential for victims of catastrophic injuries to know when they have the right to seek compensation for the immediate and long-term costs associated with their accident (i.e., medical bills and lost wages due to the inability to work).

Keep reading for more information on what compensation may be sought and how to pursue a claim.

Types of Compensation Recovered in Catastrophic Injury Cases

After suffering a serious personal injury, seeking compensation through the courts may be your best option for protecting your financial stability and providing for your recovery journey. Not only can this provide much-needed support for medical costs or other losses related to the accident, but it can also be a powerful asset in helping you reclaim a sense of justice after such an emotionally difficult event. When a person has suffered a catastrophic injury caused by someone else's negligence, several kinds of compensation may be recovered.

This includes compensation for:

  • Current medical expenses
  • Future medical costs, such as physical therapy or rehabilitation services
  • Compensation for lost wages due to an inability to work or earning capacity losses
  • Pain and suffering compensation
  • Reimbursement for home modifications
  • Disability-related expenses
  • Survivor benefits in wrongful death claims
  • Punitive damages in some cases

This is just an example of some of the things compensation may be recovered for in a catastrophic injury claim. To understand what options are available to you in your specific case, consult with one of our catastrophic injury attorneys at Golomb Legal, P.C.

Statute of Limitations on Bringing Personal Injury Claims in PA

Pennsylvania has a general two-year statute of limitations on bringing personal injury claims, meaning that claims must be filed within two years of the date of the incident or when the injured party reasonably discovered it. This applies equally to most types of personal injury cases, including those involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death claims.

However, there may be exceptions to this two-year limit, and the statute of limitations on personal injury cases varies by state. Consequently, it is important for individuals considering filing a claim to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible so that all applicable deadlines are met.

Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle Your Catastrophic Injury Case

Nobody ever expects or plans on becoming catastrophically injured due to another person's negligence, but unfortunately, these things do happen every day. When seeking an attorney for your catastrophic injury case, it is important to look for someone who has experience handling these types of cases specifically because they involve unique challenges that require specialized knowledge. An experienced attorney will also have access to resources such as expert witnesses who can help strengthen your case against negligent parties responsible for your harm.

Here at Golomb Legal, P.C., we offer free initial consultations so that you can get an idea about how we might approach your case before deciding whether we are the right fit for you and your family’s needs.

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