Accidents can happen anytime to anyone, and they can have many consequences. Some accidents may result in minor injuries requiring first aid, while others may cause catastrophic injuries and death in worst-case scenarios. When this happens, the affected party who sustains a catastrophic injury may be able to claim compensation. However, the tricky part is determining how catastrophic is a catastrophic injury.
In simple words, a catastrophic injury is something that stays with the affected party for the rest of their life. Catastrophic injuries can be devastating and life-changing, resulting in long-term or permanent disability. While it may seem straightforward, it’s often tricky to claim compensation because you need to prove that the injury is indeed catastrophic and that the other party is at fault. Different states have different regulations regarding this, and Florida is no exception. We will discuss the details in this article.
What Determines a Catastrophic Injury?
In the state of Florida, the term “catastrophic injury” is defined by an injury to:
- The spinal cord, brain, or other nervous systems or to the bones, joints, or connective tissue resulting in a significant limitation of the use of at least one extremity
- The inability to ambulate effectively or an injury that results in severe restriction in one or more bodily functions or systems
- Severe burns
Catastrophic injuries often require extensive and expensive medical treatment, and the victim may never be able to return to work or live a normal life. If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in an accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.
What Causes a Catastrophic Injury?
Many different types of accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and falls
- Sports injuries
- Workplace accidents
- Product liability accidents
- Criminal assaults
- Medical malpractice or birth injuries.
Claiming Compensation
If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, you should contact a catastrophic injury lawyer. You should contact a catastrophic injury lawyer to help establish the compensation amount you are entitled to. Compensation is based on the degree of injury suffered and the amount of financial loss you have incurred due to the accident.
The victim of an accident is entitled to claim compensation for:
- Pain and suffering the affected party experienced as a result of the accident.
- Medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident.
- Loss of earnings as a result of the accident.
- Loss of earning capacity as a result of the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life as a result of the accident.
- Loss of consortium as a result of the accident.
The Difference between Personal and Catastrophic Injury
It’s widely believed that there’s no distinction between personal and catastrophic injuries. However, there is a difference between the two.
Personal injuries are typically less severe and don’t result in long-term damage. They can include things like bruises, cuts, and scrapes. On the other hand, catastrophic injuries are much more severe and can result in long-term damage or even death.
Hiring a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
When looking for a catastrophic injury lawyer, you don’t just hire the first one you see because you must consider several factors. These include:
Experience
An experienced catastrophic injury lawyer will know what to do when you come in and what type of information is needed. They will also have experience dealing with insurance companies and know what to do when talking to them.
Reputation
Reputation matters because you want to hire a lawyer with a good reputation in the legal community. You can check with the local bar association to see if there are any complaints against the lawyer you’re considering.
Cost
You should always talk with your lawyer about how much you will be charged. You should be able to get an estimate of how many hours of work your case will require and what additional expenses you might incur along the way.
Conclusion
A catastrophic injury may seem like the end of the world, but you can recover your losses and get your life back on track with the help of a personal injury attorney. Since these cases can take a long time to resolve, you must hire an attorney who will be able to handle your case and keep you informed of your options. It is important to ensure that an experienced attorney represents you to ensure you’re adequately compensated for your injuries.
If you’re looking for catastrophic injury lawyers in Tampa, Mendes, Reins & Wilander can help you! A catastrophic injury is something you don’t easily recover from, so our legal experts will ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Simply go to our website to request a free case evaluation!