If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic or serious injury in or around Durham, let us help you. No one should have to face financial struggles while living with severe, life-altering, and often permanent injuries which resulted from someone else’s negligence. Sadly, anyone can become a victim of a catastrophic injury. Although no amount of compensation can change what happened, our experienced catastrophic injury attorney can help you seek justice and maximize your award. At the Law Offices of Naomi Ellis, PLLC, we are devoted to empowering wronged individuals to fight for justice and help them on their road back to recovery. Our Durham serious injury lawyer is here to take your call.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is a medical and legal term used to describe an injury or illness where victims suffered serious, life-altering, and even permanent injuries that affect their functionality and ability to be gainfully employed. Catastrophic injuries result in significant losses and often require a lot of money to keep up with expenses and medical treatments. And these expenses mount at a time that victims are likely unable to work. The responsible party should be held accountable if you have sustained a debilitating injury due to their negligence.
Catastrophic Injury Examples
Common examples of injuries that would be considered catastrophic or severe include the following:
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis, paraplegia, and quadriplegia.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI), permanent brain damage.
- Permanent disfigurement.
- Amputation and loss of limbs.
- Loss of bodily or organ function, including vision loss, hearing loss, and organ damage.
- Severe burns.
- Permanent nerve damage.
- Medical malpractice and birth injuries.
- Multiple broken bones and orthopedic injuries.
There is no one-size-fits-all for serious or catastrophic injuries; even a relatively minor accident can result in significant harm.
Damages in Catastrophic Injury Cases
In a catastrophic injury case, your damages can easily exceed six or seven figures. If you can successfully prove your case, you will be entitled to damages meant to compensate you for your economic and non-economic losses.
Examples of damages in a serious or catastrophic injury case include the following:
- Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, surgeries, inpatient hospital stays, rehabilitation, and prescription costs.
- Assisted living.
- Home healthcare expenses.
- Past and future lost income.
- Cost of home modifications.
- Transportation expenses.
- Medical equipment.
- Pain and suffering.
- Mental anguish.
- Loss of consortium.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Depending on the circumstances, you may also be awarded punitive damages. Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are meant to punish a defendant for particularly egregious misconduct. Punitive damages are awarded on a much more limited basis but may nevertheless be warranted in your case.
Catastrophic Injuries Often Require Significant Resources
If an accident leaves you with catastrophic injuries, you will likely face many changes in your life. We are sympathetic to the emotional turmoil you endure as a victim. You grieve the loss of your old way of life while simultaneously trying to advocate for your health, financial stability, and overall well-being. At the Law Offices of Naomi Ellis, PLLC, we will fight for the compensation you deserve and also assist you with creating a thorough and functional life care plan.
Life Care Plan
Life care plans are essential for two reasons. First, they ensure you receive the support you need moving forward. Second, they help you assess and plan for the necessary associated costs. Creating an individualized life care plan can help you determine anticipated costs for treatments and assistance that will maximize your quality of life. Some life care plans can be relatively straightforward, while others can be much more complex depending on the extent of the injuries and disabilities. A life care plan can be emotionally taxing and difficult to discuss. We promise to prioritize your comfort throughout the process. It is challenging to face and adapt to changes due to a catastrophic injury. Let us assist you.
Serious Injury Lawyer in Durham, NC
Despite the severity of your injury, you generally only have three years from the date of the accident to file a civil lawsuit for damages. In a wrongful death claim, that timeframe is shortened to two years. If you or a loved one suffered a severe or catastrophic injury, you should speak with our injury attorney immediately. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced and compassionate serious injury lawyer.