Experiencing a catastrophic injury doesn’t just alter your physical well-being; it can reshape your entire life, including your emotional, financial, and social well-being. When seeking catastrophic injury compensation, building a solid case is crucial. Read on to learn more about types of severe injuries, how the claims process works, and why it’s important to hire an experienced lawyer to help resolve your claim.
What Injuries Qualify as Catastrophic?
Before diving into the nuances of maximizing compensation, it’s vital to understand what constitutes a catastrophic injury. Common examples of potentially catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)—a severe TBI can lead to cognitive, behavioral, and physical impairments, often requiring lifelong care;
- Spinal cord injuries—these can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring home modifications and extensive medical care for life;
- Amputations—the loss of a limb is physically challenging and poses emotional and psychological hurdles;
- Severe burns—third- and fourth-degree burns can result in disfigurement, scarring, and functional limitations; and
- Multiple fractures—multiple fractures can hinder mobility or require numerous painful surgeries.
It’s also possible that some seemingly less serious injuries may become catastrophic for certain victims. Someone with an existing injury who gets into an accident could have severe complications.
Factors That Affect Payouts for Catastrophic Injury Claims
Every catastrophic injury claim is unique. Different factors can impact catastrophic injury compensation in North Carolina. Some of these factors include:
- The severity of your injuries. The more severe your injuries are, the more your case could be worth.
- Determining who is at fault. Liability is a significant part of calculating case value.
- Your total damages. The higher your losses are, the higher your case value could be.
- Available insurance. The amount of available liability coverage also impacts your potential catastrophic injury benefits.
These factors impact your case differently, which is why two people with similar injuries could have varying settlement amounts. Generally, it’s not uncommon to see settlements and jury awards in the six and seven figures for catastrophic injuries. If you have questions about what your potential catastrophic injury claim could be worth, contact the Law Offices of Naomi Ellis, PLLC, today.
What to Do Following a Catastrophic Injury Accident
You must build a solid case with the strongest evidence possible to maximize your potential compensation. Preparing your case starts immediately after the injury happens. For example, you must contact the police if you’re in a car accident. You should request medical personnel to respond as well.
In severe injury cases, you might be immediately transported to the hospital. If you can do so safely, take photos of the scene, including damage, hazards, injuries, and anything that could help your case. If you’re unable to take photographs due to your injuries and you have a friend or family member on scene, ask them to take them for you.
Be sure to exchange information with any other involved parties. Were there any witnesses to your accident? If so, be sure to get their contact information. When speaking to people at the scene, be cautious of what you say. Something as innocuous as “I’m sorry” can be used against you.
If you don’t require emergency medical transport, be sure to seek medical treatment right away. You must follow your doctor’s orders and treatment plan. Otherwise, it could jeopardize your potential claim. Gather all medical records and bills, which are crucial for helping calculate possible catastrophic injury compensation. Any documentation regarding your losses is essential. You also need documentation showing time missed from work, out-of-pocket costs, etc.
Why Hire a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in North Carolina
Hiring a skilled catastrophic injury lawyer in North Carolina is crucial. You need a legal advocate who understands the nuances of these claims. When you present a claim, you will demand money from the at-fault party. Depending on the accident circumstances, it might be an insurance company, an employer, a corporation, or a government entity.
Your attorney might want to hire one or more experts. These experts will vary depending on your injuries and type of case. For example, it might be necessary to hire an accident reconstructionist to prove liability against the other driver. In cases involving significant injuries with future medical treatment, you might need a forensic accountant who can help calculate the value of your case.
If we cannot resolve your case through settlement negotiations, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf. Proceeding with litigation doesn’t mean your case will automatically go to trial. However, we will work tirelessly to build a strong case so we are prepared if we must go to trial.
Reach Out to the Law Offices of Naomi Ellis
Pursuing compensation for a catastrophic injury may take time and be fraught with challenges. Hiring a skilled lawyer allows you to concentrate on your recovery rather than battle with the responsible parties. When you hire the Law Offices of Naomi Ellis, you will work one-on-one with Naomi, and she will handle your case from start to finish. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can assist you.
My practice focuses exclusively on personal injury law, including cases involving motor vehicle collisions, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries. I understand the difficulties and stresses an accident and injury can place on a person’s life and I work hard every day to ensure my clients are fairly compensated for their losses.
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