The unfortunate reality is that any unexpected accident could leave an individual with life-altering injuries. Their condition might improve slightly over time, but the way they must live their life usually changes due to impairment or disfigurement.
If someone else’s carelessness caused the accident that led to your serious wounds, you could likely seek compensation from the negligent parties with the help of a a seasoned personal injury attorney from Kirk Law Firm, PLLC. A Houston catastrophic injury lawyer could assess your case, outline your options, and provide personalized support.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
The term “catastrophic injury” does not have a widely accepted definition. However, in general, any wound that causes long-term or permanent symptoms, requires extensive medical intervention, or results in a significant change in the individual’s daily life could be considered drastic.
Some injuries are always classified as catastrophic, such as those that result in severe disfigurement, permanent paralysis, loss of a limb, greatly diminished ability to see or hear, impaired cognitive function, or significant disruption of a bodily system. Any of these conditions might permanently impact an individual’s ability to earn a living, participate in activities they enjoy, or engage in a full family life.
Meanwhile, other injuries might be catastrophic to one person but not to another. For example, some individuals could adapt to losing a finger without a significant change in lifestyle. However, the impact of a lost finger on the career and mental health of a professional pianist, guitarist, or trumpet player could be devastating. One of our compassionate attorneys in Houston understands the potential subjectivity of catastrophic injuries and could fight to make sure a plaintiff collects adequate compensation for their unique losses.
Negligence as a Cause of Catastrophic Injuries
Many different accidents could result in life-changing wounds, but some patterns emerge upon examining statistics. According to the National Safety Council, falls are the leading cause of non-fatal severe injuries in the United States. Motor vehicle accidents are the next most common cause. Other situations that might cause catastrophic wounds include deep lacerations, fires, or being struck by heavy objects.
Many of these injuries are preventable; they only occur because of someone’s negligence. A plaintiff has a legal action for negligence if someone’s failure to exercise reasonable care causes the plaintiff’s harm. Our savvy lawyers in Houston could assess an accident and determine whether another party’s negligence was primarily responsible for the client’s catastrophic injury.
Damages Awarded in Severe Injury Cases
Unfortunately, catastrophic injuries usually require extended medical care and leave a plaintiff with other costly bills. Thankfully, a severely wounded plaintiff can usually move forward to collect compensatory damages for their injuries after they prove a defendant’s negligence. In catastrophic injury cases, common examples of financial compensation include reimbursement for:
- All injury-related medical care
- Rehabilitation expenses
- In-home health services
- Injury-related incidental costs
- Future projected medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Necessary home renovations to account for impairment
In many cases, monetary damages also acknowledge and compensate the non-economic impacts of an injury. For instance, an injured plaintiff can usually collect additional compensation that reimburses them for suffering, physical disability, pain, and diminished capacity to participate in activities they once enjoyed.
Regardless of the scope of compensation a plaintiff needs to fully recuperate from their catastrophic injury, our tenacious Houston attorneys could fight to maximize a settlement from a negligent defendant.
Contact a Houston Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today
If you have been affected by a life-changing injury, you need a competent legal representative from our firm to help you seek justice. The stakes are far too high to proceed without assistance. Attempting to negotiate with a defendant or their insurance company might significantly complicate your case.
Our Houston catastrophic injury lawyers have the knowledge and skills necessary to secure an appropriate settlement or take the case to court. Call our office today to schedule your initial consultation.