Those who suffer life-changing injuries in accidents are often left reeling from the aftermath of their ordeals. A catastrophic injury goes well beyond simple trauma. A catastrophic injury has long-lasting effects that are frequently irreversible.
A car crash, an accident at work, or a mistake made by a doctor can all change the way a person lives in an instant. The victims’ loved ones will have to figure out how to pay for the victims’ long-term care and sky-high medical expenses.
A catastrophic injury lawyer in Lebanon can help you get the compensation you need if you’ve been seriously injured. You can rely on the personal injury law firm of Vaughan & Vaughan to defend your rights and hold negligent parties accountable for their wrongdoing.
The Challenging Nature of Catastrophic Injury Cases
The law takes a slightly different approach to catastrophic injury claims than it does to personal injury cases. First, your attorney will work to have your injury recognized by the court as catastrophic. With such high stakes monetarily, this may be more challenging than it seems at first.
Because it is commonly necessary to make a significant monetary claim, your lawyer will help you demonstrate that a catastrophic claim is appropriate. Victims of catastrophic injuries require sufficient funds to cover their long-term medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress.
Since catastrophic injury claims tend to go to trial, it’s crucial to have legal representation from someone who is familiar with their unique complexities. Since there is a lot of money at stake, insurance companies rarely make fair settlement offers and would rather battle.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
The Insurance Company Will Try to Minimize Your Claim
In order to avoid paying out claims, insurance firms have the incentive to shift the blame to the victim or to third parties. As time goes on, you have mounting medical and living costs but no reliable source of income.
Blaming the victim as part of a defense strategy to challenge your claims of responsibility may put your compensation at risk. You need a catastrophic injury attorney in Lebanon if you want to fight these claims.
Your personal injury lawyer is capable of obtaining the testimony of credible experts and can use that information to strengthen your case. Occupational therapists and other medical specialists can confirm the victim’s inability to return to work or maintain their independence due to the accident.
There is no fee
unless you win
How a Lebanon, Indiana Catastrophic Injury Attorney Can Help With Your Claim
The procedure can seem daunting if you have never dealt with a personal injury claim. But knowing what to expect and having a powerful legal representative on your side can make the process a lot smoother. The first step is to figure out what led to your accident.
Your attorney will conduct an investigation to determine all sources of liability. Witness accounts, medical records, police reports, photographs of the accident scene, and other documentation may all be considered. We will handle all communications with the insurance company and other involved parties.
We use this information to craft a compelling argument. Then, we work to settle your case with the insurance company or the liable party on your behalf. If a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to file a catastrophic injury lawsuit to obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Claim
Calculating compensatory damages after a serious accident can be complex. A catastrophic injury lawyer in Lebanon may work with professionals in various fields to determine the value of a personal injury claim.
An attorney with our firm will:
Assess Ongoing Medical Costs and Other Living Expenses
Identify the severity of the injuries and how they will affect the victim’s life. This may entail speaking with medical professionals and getting a life care plan that details the victim’s ongoing medical requirements and costs.
Calculate Economic Damages
Your lawyer will gather information to determine the victim’s economic damages. Healthcare costs, lost wages, benefits, property damage, and future potential earnings are all part of this category.
Evaluate Non-Economic Damages
It can be more challenging to calculate non-monetary losses. Pain & suffering, emotional anguish, and a loss of enjoyment of life are all examples. These compensation amounts reflect the negative effect the victim’s injuries have had on his or her standard of living.
Personal injury attorneys may employ several approaches, such as the “multiplier method” or the “per diem method,” to determine the amount of non-economic damages. The economic damages of a victim are multiplied by a number that stands in for the seriousness of their injuries in the multiplier approach.
The per diem method entails valuing the victim’s non-economic damages every day and multiplying that value by the number of days the victim will be incapacitated as a result of their injury.
Putting a price tag on a life-changing injury can be a time-consuming and complicated procedure. Victims should choose seasoned lawyers who are familiar with the system and know how to fight to get the compensation they are entitled to.
How Is a Catastrophic Injury Determined?
Amongst attorneys, the term “catastrophic injury” refers to a serious injury that leaves the victim permanently or substantially impaired in their daily activities. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputated limbs, severe burns, and loss of vision or hearing are all examples of the types of injuries that fall into this category.
When deciding if an injury is considered catastrophic, a few key things are usually taken into account:
- The severity of the injury and the degree to which it compromises a person’s ability to function in daily life. Life-threatening injuries and those that leave their victims permanently disabled fall under this category.
- Whether the victim’s ability to go about their daily activities is severely hampered. Some examples are being unable to walk, work, or take care of oneself.
- The length of time they will need medical care, rehabilitation, or assistive technology after suffering the injury.
A catastrophic injury lawyer in Lebanon will listen to your story to understand how the injury has impacted your life. With this information, an attorney can work to build a compelling case to present to the insurance adjusters, judge, and jury.
Examples of Catastrophic Injuries
In Indiana, catastrophic injuries may include:
- Damage to internal organs
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe burn injuries
- Crush injuries
- Loss of limb
Cases involving catastrophic injuries warrant extra care and attention because of the extent of their impact. Victims of catastrophic injuries may incur astronomical medical bills and experience a drastic decline in quality of life.
Because of the long-term effects of a catastrophic injury, it is crucial that you consult with a law firm that is knowledgeable about personal injury law and catastrophic injury in this state.
Contact a Catastrophic Injury Law Firm in Lebanon, Indiana Today
Workplace accidents, truck accidents, auto accidents, defective products, and medical negligence can all result in catastrophic injuries, and many of these could have been prevented. If you or your family’s financial security is at risk, it’s important to seek legal counsel to get the highest possible compensation.
Get in touch with us today for a free case evaluation to find out more about how we may be able to help you. The personal injury attorneys of Vaughan & Vaughan may be able to represent you in a claim to get the compensation you need.
