Catastrophic Injuries

We Understand The Severity of Your Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are sometimes difficult to define. That is because by nature, determining what kind of an injury would be “catastrophic” would be entirely subjective. Nonetheless, when your life has been dramatically altered and impacted due to the persistent issues arising from an injury, you deserve to speak with a legal team that has had great success dealing with catastrophic injury cases.

When you have suffered a catastrophic injury, there are many measures that should be considered from the onset of your case. Due to the catastrophic nature of your injury, a defendant and their insurance carrier may recognize immediately they face significant exposure from the claim that you are bringing against them. The tactics that the employ to limit your recovery and reduce their exposure are often done swiftly after your injury.

What Kind of Injuries May Be Considered “Catastrophic?”

As previously mentioned, the determination of whether an injury should be deemed “catastrophic” would be very subjective. Each injury will impact each person differently. However, the legal team at Fletcher Law has encountered reoccurring injury cases that consistently would fall into the “catastrophic injury” group. Some of these kinds of injuries may include:

1. Severe burns;

2. Spine injuries;

3. Brain injuries;

4. Paralysis;

5. Internal organ injuries;

6. Disfigurement;

7. Injuries that cause cognitive issues;

8. Injuries leading to an amputation; and

9. Wrongful death.

While it would be difficult for a listing of catastrophic injuries to be exhaustive and complete, an attorney is also able to make that determination by examining some of the conditions that arise surrounding such an injury. For instance, an injury may sometimes be considered catastrophic by means of the medical treatment that was required after the injury. If an injured victim is completely prevented from returning to their normal job permanently than that may be another fact that is considered in evaluating their case as a catastrophic injury case.

Complexity In Catastrophic Injury Cases

Due to the elevated nature of injuries in catastrophic injury cases, there are certain measures that an injured plaintiff or their attorney must consider undertaking in determining their plan to proceed. There are actions that can be taken soon after a catastrophic injury accident that may prove immensely beneficial later on in the case. In some instances they may completely alter the progression of the case and provide the injured plaintiff with protection against some tactics used by the defendant or tortfeasor to limit the amount of compensation that they receive.

Accident Reconstructionist

Often in catastrophic injury cases, the defendant or tortfeasor may try and dispute liability for the injuries with the argument that they cannot be held liable for the accident itself. In other words, that it was not their “fault.” The plaintiff and their attorney may consider bringing an accident deconstructionist on to review the incident and form an opinion based upon the experience in the field. If the expert returns an opinion that is favorable to the plaintiff’s theory of liability, this may prove to be very helpful in fighting back against the attempts to limit recovery on the basis that the defendant or tortfeasor was not at fault.

Expert Witness

In a catastrophic injury case, the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries and what has caused them will almost always be called in to question by the defendant or tortfeasor. By disputing the severity of the injuries, the defense seeks to limit the exposure faced for a significant recovery being awarded to the plaintiff. If a catastrophic injury case makes its way before a jury, both the plaintiff and the defendant will like put forth testimony from an expert witness that presents their interpretation or opinion on the injuries of the plaintiff. For the plaintiff, it is beneficial to make this determination early in their case, as to whether or not they will be hiring an expert witness and if so, identify that expert early.

Call An Experienced and Talented Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today

After you have sustained a catastrophic injury, it is important that you be proactive about your approach to the legal case that may follow. The legal team at Fletcher Law has the experience and skill needed to handle Catastrophic Injury cases. Call us today at 816-631-2868 so that we can begin evaluating your case and provide our input on how to proceed.