Suffering a severe injury because of another person’s wrongful conduct can lead to life-changing consequences. Your quality of life may suffer while medical bills pile up. It’s only natural that you might wonder about your options and whether you should contact a Los Angeles catastrophic injury lawyer.
This is especially the case if the person hasn’t stepped up to take responsibility for their actions. Even if they have, they could offer much less than your case is worth. This is why it’s so important to consult an attorney before deciding how to proceed.
How Salamati Law Can Help with Your Catastrophic Injury Case
Catastrophic accidents can have a dramatic impact on your life. Whether accidents happen at work, at play, or on the road, they can lead to physical, emotional, and financial challenges. You should not have to shoulder that burden alone, especially if someone else’s negligence is to blame.
When you hire a Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorney from Salamati Law, we evaluate the effects of the accident and injuries on your life or that of your loved ones. We then document these effects to help you secure compensation via a private settlement or, if needed, we’ll take the catastrophic injury lawsuit to trial.
Our legal team is well-versed in personal injury litigation across various cases, such as DUI accidents, construction site injuries, and premises liability. We ensure our clients have access to top healthcare providers while gathering evidence and building the most robust case possible. By collaborating with leading experts in the medical and forensic fields, our attorneys can uncover the truth, establish liable parties, and prove your claim.
Our team further strengthens your case by investigating the initial incident that led to the accident. The sooner you contact us, the fresher the evidence will be, and the easier this step may be. Over time, evidence deteriorates, and witnesses become less likely to step forward or are harder to find. There is also the statute of limitations, which is generally two years from the injury or one year from discovery if it wasn’t discovered immediately.
What is a Catastrophic Injury in California Personal Injury Law?
In California, a serious injury is defined as any harm that results in any of the following:
- Death
- Dismemberment
- Disfigurement
- Permanent damage of an organ
- Loss of a fetus
- Permanent limitation of use of a body organ or system that prevents the victim from performing normal daily activities following the accident or impairment
In other words, a catastrophic injury entails extensive hospitalization, permanent disfigurement, or disability. It also undermines a person’s ability to maintain gainful employment or live a regular life.
Examples of Injuries Considered Catastrophic
This is not an exhaustive list of catastrophic injuries. Still, it does provide a starting point for someone trying to determine whether they have a qualifying injury:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Brain injuries can result in physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments that may require lifelong medical care.
- Spinal cord injuries: Severe spinal cord injuries can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis or other mobility limitations. Victims may also experience loss of sensation and chronic pain.
- Severe burns: Severe burns can result in permanent scarring, disfigurement, and potential nerve damage that affects movement and function.
- Amputations: Losing a limb due to an accident can significantly impact a person’s daily life and ability to work. Prosthetic limbs are expensive and require ongoing maintenance.
- Neck Injuries: Severe neck injuries, including damage to vertebrae, can lead to chronic pain, restricted movement, and sometimes permanent disability. Treatment may require surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term pain management.
- Head Injuries: Head injuries can range from concussions to skull fractures, often resulting in cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments. Recovery may require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and ongoing support.
- Paralysis: Paralysis can result from spinal cord or brain injuries, impacting an individual’s ability to move or feel parts of their body. This condition often requires lifelong medical care, assistive devices, and home modifications.
- Broken Bones: Serious fractures, particularly compound or multiple fractures, can lead to long-term mobility issues, chronic pain, and potential complications like infections. Recovery may involve surgery, physical therapy, and extended rehabilitation.
- Burn Injuries: Severe burn injuries can damage skin, nerves, and muscles, resulting in permanent scarring and loss of function. Victims may require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and prolonged rehabilitation to manage pain and restore mobility.
- Birth Injuries: Injuries sustained during birth, such as cerebral palsy or brachial plexus injuries, can cause lifelong physical and developmental challenges for the child, often requiring extensive medical and therapeutic interventions.
- Wrongful Death: In cases of catastrophic injuries resulting in death, surviving family members suffer emotional and financial hardship. They may be entitled to pursue compensation for medical costs, lost income, and loss of companionship.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
People can sustain catastrophic injuries in various circumstances, which may require special knowledge and experience in certain types of personal injury law. Here are some examples:
- Workplace Injuries: Some jobs have a high risk of catastrophic injuries, such as firefighting, agriculture, fishing, and construction. In these vocations, workers risk life and limb regularly. However, even in-office jobs can lead to work-related injuries, such as someone slipping and falling down the stairs.
- Traffic Accidents: A car accident, motorcycle accident, bicycle accident, or truck accident can lead to catastrophic injuries. They can result in severe brain trauma, spinal cord damage, paralysis, or death. A pedestrian accident is the most likely to involve severe injuries because pedestrians have little or no protection.
- Defective Products: A defective product that malfunctions during use can cause serious harm to the user. Examples include a poorly designed toy, faulty machinery on a construction site, or a malfunctioning car part.
- Premises Liability: Property owners must maintain safe conditions for visitors. Failure to do so could lead to severe injuries like slips and falls or dog bites. Suppose a property owner was aware of a dangerous situation and failed to address it. In that case, they may be held liable for any resulting catastrophic injuries.
Catastrophic Injuries Cause Long-Term Damage
Many catastrophic injury victims face lifelong medical expenses, including rehabilitation, therapy, medication, and specialized equipment. These costs can quickly add up and strain the victim’s finances. For example, researchers estimated a total lifetime recovery cost of up to $3 million for TBI patients in 2015.
In addition to the financial burden, catastrophic injuries can also result in the loss of employment or a significant decrease in earning capacity. This can be devastating for both the victim and their family, who rely on their income to maintain their quality of life. When the primary breadwinner is the impacted person, it could take years for the family to recover financially. Some never do.
Catastrophic injuries may also lead to a loss of consortium or companionship for loved ones. Suppose a spouse or parent is unable to perform everyday tasks, participate in family activities, or provide emotional support due to their injuries. In that case, it can significantly impact the entire family’s well-being.
Average Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries
Because of the impact of catastrophic injuries, compensation values are usually higher than in other personal injury cases. Average compensation usually falls within the $20,000 to $75,000 range. However, more severe injuries can lead to six-figure settlements. For example, we won $5 million for a motorcycle accident involving a rider hit by a bus and $1.95 million for a slip-and-fall accident.
After the wrongful death of a loved one, insurance companies generally try to pay out as little as possible. Salamati Law has decades of experience representing Southern California families who have lost loved ones or sustained serious injuries. We know the tactics insurance companies use and how to counter them.
Our team is here to provide honest, compassionate guidance through the complicated legal process of filing a personal injury claim.
The Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Los Angeles Trusts
Salamati Law has a proven track record of winning complex catastrophic injury cases. Protect your rights to compensation by partnering with a Los Angeles-based personal injury law firm that’s bent on getting justice for you and your family. The more serious your injuries, the more likely it is that you need an attorney who can level the playing field against large corporations with well-funded legal teams.
Here are some of the top reasons Californians have continued to rely on our team since 1995:
- Aggressive, results-oriented representation
- Personal attention to your needs
- Proven case results
- Skilled negotiators
- Quick answers to questions and concerns
- Compassion and respect for your time
- No retainer, no out-of-pocket legal costs
- Dedication to achieving maximum legal recovery
While many catastrophic injury cases are resolved out of court, we never back down and are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. Schedule a consultation with Salamati Law to get started.
Los Angeles Personal Injury Law Blog
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- Injuries After School-Sponsored Athletics
- How COVID-19 May Impact Your Personal Injury Lawsuit
- What are the Most Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents?
Additional Resources on Catastrophic Injury Law:
- US Legal, Serious Injury Law and Legal Definition https://definitions.uslegal.com/s/serious-injury/
- California State Compensation Fund, Serious Injury Reporting to Cal/OSHA https://content.statefundca.com/safety/News/2015Issue2/ManuSeriousInjury.asp
- WorkSafe, What is Serious Injury http://www1.worksafe.vic.gov.au/vwa/claimsmanual/Content/13Entitlements_CommonLaw/1%204%20What%20is%20serious%20injury.htm