If you or someone you love has suffered severe injuries in an accident due to another party’s negligence or carelessness, the award-winning team of 500+ legal professionals at Wilshire Law Firm is here to hold them responsible. Our catastrophic injury lawyers have the talent, resources, and experience you need to get the care and compensation you deserve. You have suffered enough—call (800) 501-3011 today or fill out our online contact form to get started with your FREE case consultation.
What is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?
Catastrophic Injuries are injuries that severely (often permanently) affect a victim’s bodily functions and health. Returning to work can be out of the question for survivors, with they and their families suffering a significant decline in well-being and quality of life. Most catastrophic injuries will fall into 1 of 3 different categories:- Serious Injuries to the Head, Neck, or Back—Spinal Cord Injuries, Paralysis (Paraplegia, Hemiplegia, Quadriplegia), Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), Skull Fractures, and Whiplash
- External injuries—Disfigurement from Amputations or Burn Injuries, Road Rash, and Scars
- Internal injuries—Internal Bleeding, Broken Bones, Nerve Damage, Loss of Eyesight, and Hearing Loss
What Are Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries?
Catastrophic injuries frequently occur abruptly and without warning. Often the result of another party’s negligence or recklessness, the common causes of catastrophic injuries are:- Motor Vehicle Accidents (Including Car Accidents)
- Premises Liability (Including Slip and Fall Accidents)
- Dangerous or Defective Products
Who Can Be Found Liable for Catastrophic Injuries?
As a result of California’s comparative negligence laws and statutes, several parties may share responsibility when reckless or negligent actions lead to catastrophic injuries. It’s important to have a catastrophic injury law firm conduct a thorough investigation of your case – without one, all the individuals or entities who contributed to the injuries may not be held responsible for their actions.- Drivers — Because catastrophic injuries commonly occur during motor vehicle crashes, the other driver (or drivers) involved may be negligent.
- Vehicle Owners — Think twice before letting your friend borrow your car. As the vehicle’s owner, if your friend gets into an accident, you may still be found liable in a catastrophic injury case.
- Employers — If a victim is injured by an employee who was on-the-clock, their employer may have contributed to the circumstances leading to the catastrophic injuries.
- Landowner or Tenant — Premises liability and slip and fall claims often arise from the negligent actions of businesses, homeowners, and renters.
- Manufacturers — Any company responsible for the manufacturing, transportation, and retailing of a defective product that causes catastrophic injuries may ultimately be found responsible.
What Is the Cost of a Catastrophic Injury?
Following a catastrophic accident, a life care plan that lists a victim’s current and future medical needs and costs is developed. The specific needs of the injured victim are laid out, along with descriptions of the services, support, equipment, and cost of care resulting from the survivor’s injuries. The costs of catastrophic injuries, which are covered in a life care plan, are as follows:- Present and Future Medical Care
- Present and Future Mental Health Services
- Home Healthcare Expenses
- Home Modifications such as Wheelchair Accessibility
- Transportation Expenses such as a Handicap-Accessible Van
- Medical Equipment such as a Wheelchair
- Other Special Aid, Devices, and/or Accommodations
What Compensation Is Available to Catastrophic Injury Survivors?
The compensation available to catastrophic injury survivors is likely to be substantial when the injuries are caused by another person or entity’s negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct. Don’t let the insurance company undervalue your claim! Depending on the facts of your case, the following compensation may be available to you:- Specific Damages—Past and future medical care, past and future wage losses, necessary repairs, renovations, replacements, and home or vehicle modifications.
- General Damages—Physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of consortium.
- The defendant owed you a legal duty of care.
- The defendant breached that duty of care.
- You suffered harm as a result of the defendant’s conduct.
