Injuries are considered catastrophic if they permanently prevent the injured person from working and participating in activities he or she once enjoyed. When a catastrophic injury results from someone else’s negligent action or inaction, the injured person could pursue monetary damages.
An Augusta County catastrophic injury lawyer could help you and your family build a case for damages. A dedicated local attorney at The Warren Firm could identify potentially responsible parties, negotiate with insurers, and if necessary, take a case to court.
Spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, irreparable organ system damage, and other injuries that lead to a permanent inability to function as you once did could all be considered catastrophic injuries. A person who suffers a traumatic injury may require care for the rest of his or her life, be confined to a wheelchair or a bed, unable to perform activities of daily living unassisted, and unable to earn a living.
The most common cause of catastrophic harm in the United States is motor vehicle accidents. Other common causes include:
The injured person’s right to compensation will depend on the circumstances of the accident. If the injury occurred in a car crash, for example, a traumatic injury attorney in the area could investigate to determine who was at-fault for the accident and hold him or her legally liable.
Recovering from, and living with, a catastrophic injury is extremely expensive. People seeking damages might need help from an Augusta County attorney to calculate all the costs they have incurred and will incur to cope with the devastating injury and its after-effects. A fair and reasonable damages award could ensure that the injured person receives the care he or she requires for the rest of his or her life.
Economic damages include all costs of medical, rehabilitative, and supportive care. This could include surgeries, therapy, durable medical equipment, necessary adaptations of a home or vehicle, and other related expenses. Lost wages and diminished earning opportunities are also included in an economic damages award.
Non-economic damages compensate an injured person for the harm’s emotional impact, the deterioration of his or her quality of life, and physical pain. Non-economic damages could be awarded for pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of ability to enjoy life, loss of consortium, and other human losses.
Virginia Code §8.01-243 allows people two years from the date of their accident to bring a personal injury action. If someone misses this deadline, the law bars him or her from bringing a lawsuit regardless of merit. It is crucial to work with a capable catastrophic injury lawyer from the area to avoid this harsh result.
Matters are even more urgent if the Commonwealth or a local government might have some liability for the accident. A unit of government could be a defendant
if:
When the Commonwealth is a potential defendant in a lawsuit, the plaintiff must file a notice of claim within one year of the event that triggered the claim. If a county or municipality is a potential defendant in an action, the plaintiff must file a claim within six months.
Seeking damages for a life-altering injury should be handled by a professional. Potentially responsible parties and their insurers will not hesitate to take advantage of an injured person trying to negotiate a settlement on his or her own.
Call on a capable Augusta County catastrophic injury lawyer to oversee the process of securing a fair settlement. Schedule a consultation as soon as possible after an accident to ensure the preservation of all your rights.
