Any injury sustained in an accident will undoubtedly feel severe when it occurs to you or a loved one. However, a “catastrophic” injury causes significant, irreversible disability. A catastrophic injury will alter your life irrevocably. Along with the physical discomfort, it also prevents you from working. Numerous catastrophic injuries result annually in the U.S. from vehicle or truck accidents, work-related accidents, sports injuries, or other serious situations for which you may be eligible to receive monetary compensation if you become severely injured due to no fault of your own.
Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ are aware of the seriousness of catastrophic injury cases and the significant risks associated with them. In circumstances where clients have suffered catastrophic injuries due to another’s negligence, our personal injury attorneys provide knowledgeable legal counsel and work with insurance companies to achieve the best results for our injured clients. Call us immediately for a free case evaluation if you or someone you love has suffered a catastrophic injury.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury frequently necessitates ongoing medical care or daily care requirements for the victim. It can also be described as an injury that keeps you from performing any gainful work activities for the rest of your life.
Catastrophic injuries may include:
- Severe neck or back injuries
- Loss of hearing or sight
- Severe burns
- Paralysis
- Permanent impairment or functional decline
- Lost limb(s)
- Scarring or deformity
- Spinal cord damage
- Brain injury
- Amputation
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding, internal injuries, and organ damage
- Loss of sight or hearing
- Ruptured spleen, liver, kidneys, or bowels
This list is not exhaustive. Call us today to discuss the unique circumstances surrounding your case in a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.
Catastrophic Injury Facts
Below, find some facts surrounding catastrophic injuries sustained within the U.S.:
- On average, around 17,810 Americans on average experience a spinal cord injury each year.
- In the US, 2 million people have lost limbs.
- Every year, there are 185,000 amputations in the US.
- The number of Americans receiving burn injury treatment in hospitals yearly is 500,000.
- Annually, around 2.8 million Americans require hospitalization due to traumatic brain injuries.
Economic Damages
A catastrophic injury is more likely than other types of injuries to require lengthy and pricey medical care due to its severity. It can entail a prolonged hospital stay, surgeries, a lengthy recovery period, continuous therapies, and the installation of essential assistive equipment or home or vehicle adaptations. These are considered monetary losses. The total amount of all of your monetary losses resulting from the accident will comprise the total value of your economic damages in which you may be eligible to receive compensation for.
Since being unable to work is one aspect of a catastrophic accident, other economic damages include lost pay. You may suffer further financial losses in addition to your own inability to work if a spouse or other family member is forced to give up their job and become a full- or part-time caretaker.
Non-Economic Damages
Your household’s financial condition can be impacted in a number of different ways, so it’s not always just about your salary. Pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and other losses without a defined monetary value are examples of non-economic damages that you may sustain after an accident and may be eligible to receive compensation for.
Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
A catastrophic injury may occur in a number of different ways. But here are a few of the most typical ways in which a person may sustain a catastrophic injury:
- Vehicle or truck collisions (or other motor vehicle accidents, like bike accidents or motorcycle accidents)
- Accidents at work, such as construction-site accidents
- Drowning pool accidents
- Defective products
- Sports injuries
- Birth Injury
- Slip and fall accidents (or other premises liability)
- Medical malpractice
Contributory Negligence Laws in North Carolina
You must demonstrate that someone was irresponsible and that their conduct led to your injury to win a catastrophic injury claim anywhere in the U.S. However, North Carolina has slightly more complicated liability laws than most other states. Speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to learn what legal options may be available following a catastrophic injury accident.
What To Do Following a Catastrophic Injury
Receive Medical Attention
The first thing you should focus on following a serious accident or injury is your physical recovery. Before you worry about anything else, find out what you can do to hasten your recovery by visiting a doctor and following all actions recommended by your physicians.
Save the Evidence
A trusted friend or family member might be able to assist you in obtaining evidence if you are unable to do so after a major accident. If you were in an area where there was security video or witnesses, you want to make sure that any evidence is preserved until your lawyer can evaluate it.
Speak with a Lawyer
Find a lawyer to represent you in discussions and communications before approaching an insurance company. A catastrophic injury is serious and will cost a lot to treat. Your attorney will be a skilled negotiator who will attempt to keep you from being held accountable for the accident and secure the largest settlement or damage award feasible for you.
Justice for Victims of Catastrophic Injuries
Through a personal injury lawsuit, victims of catastrophic injuries brought on by another person’s negligence can seek justice. These legal actions aim to make victims whole for the damages they suffered due to the harm brought onto them by a catastrophic injury accident. In certain circumstances, guilty parties may also be required to pay punitive damages, to punish them for their negligence.
How to Prove Negligence
A personal injury case requires proof of four key factors. These are the legal factors that are required to be proven for a successful claim:
- The plaintiff is required to establish that the defendant owed them a duty of care. A duty of care might, for instance, entail giving the plaintiff top-notch medical attention.
- It must also be demonstrated that the defendant violated the responsibility they had to the plaintiff. This requirement in an automobile accident case could be met by evidence that the driver was texting and driving.
- The plaintiff must establish both that they suffered harm as a result of the incident in question and that they suffered financial damages as a result.
- For a personal injury claim to be successful, the plaintiff’s injury must have been directly resulting from the breach of duty.
For someone who is already struggling, having to prove so many different things may feel overwhelming. A personal injury lawyer can help by gathering the right paperwork, talking to witnesses, and negotiating on the client’s behalf to get the best possible result for the case.
North Carolina Statute of Limitations
When timing is crucial, you must make sure that you file a case before your window of opportunity closes. Most personal injury claims in North Carolina must be filed within three years, but there are several details to be aware of before that time period expires. You forfeit your right to bring a claim for damages if you don’t file before the deadline. Time is of the essence when it comes to legal claims, so don’t delay speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney to see what they can do to assist you.
Call Tatum & Atkinson, Your Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in North Carolina
We at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ are aware of the gravity of your claim for catastrophic injuries. If someone else’s negligence led to your injuries, you have the right to financial compensation for your damages. Here at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters’, we are passionate about fighting for just compensation on behalf of catastrophic accident injury victims. Call (800) 529-0804 or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation today.
