Most injuries upset the life of the victim for a few weeks or even a few months, but catastrophic injuries leave behind lifelong disabilities and impairments that severely impact the victim’s life. An injury of this type leaves a permanent change in the victim’s abilities to function physically or even mentally.
Most people experiencing a catastrophic injury find themselves unable to hold down a job or to perform the same work they were doing prior to becoming injured. If someone else’s negligence caused your catastrophic injury, you have a right to collect damages from the at-fault party.
An experienced Philadelphia catastrophic injury lawyer at the Dan Doyle Law Group could help you recover maximum compensation for your suffering. Contact our office today for a free consultation where you can find out more about what your claim might be worth.
Many catastrophic injuries are injuries to the central nervous system, including the spinal cord or brain, although catastrophic injuries may also involve the loss of limbs or digits, the loss of eyes or vision, deafness, or even internal organ damage. Tissue damage due to severe burns or lacerations can also leave behind permanent scarring, disfigurement, and loss of sensation in affected areas.
Under the worst conditions, there are countless ways catastrophic injuries can occur. With that being said, there are some types of accidents that are known for producing catastrophic injuries in Philadelphia more frequently than others. Some of these include:
In the aftermath of a catastrophic injury, life is turned upside down for the victim. Most victims struggle financially with the loss of income, and they find themselves in need of assistance with basic living tasks. Some may require home health care, and others may need to stay in a rehab center to help them regain functionality or become accustomed to life with their new disability.
The victim’s home may require modification to be able to accommodate a wheelchair. So many things change after a catastrophic injury, and ongoing expenses are typically high. For these reasons, seeking out a qualified and experienced Philadelphia catastrophic injury attorney is important.
If you sustained a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence or poor judgment, then you may be able to hold the at-fault party accountable for:
If you hope to get the most out of your catastrophic injury claim, you may need to be prepared to file both insurance and civil claims. In filing a claim with the liable party’s insurance company, you may be able to recover specific types and amounts of economic damages.
These might include medical expenses, loss of income, and the cost of replacing or repairing your vehicle or other types of property damage. However, the insurance company is only required to pay out up to the limits of the policyholder‘s claim.
If your damages exceed these limits, to recover maximum compensation, you will need to be prepared to bring your case to the Philadelphia civil court system.
When you bring your case to court, you will have the opportunity to seek compensation for the remaining economic damages that are not covered by the insurance company, and any non-economic damages you may have suffered as well.
Sharing fault for your catastrophic injury will have an impact on the compensation you are awarded in your Philadelphia injury claim. Fortunately, Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence system under Section 7102 of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Here, sharing fault does not prohibit you from recovering compensation. However, you can only share up to 50% of the liability before being barred from financial recovery. Furthermore, if you share fault for your injuries, expect your injury settlement to be reduced accordingly. For example, if you are deemed 30% liable for your injuries, you can expect your injury settlement to be reduced by 30% as well.
Time is of the essence when it comes to filing your catastrophic injury claim. In the state of Pennsylvania, claimants have just two years from the date of injury to file any related claims. An exception to this is with medical malpractice, which allows two years from the date of the discovery of the injury.
Contact a knowledgeable Philadelphia catastrophic injury attorney at the Dan Doyle Law Group to discuss your situation right away following your injury. Our team can help you weigh your legal options and decide on the best path forward with your claim. When you are ready to get started on your case, complete our convenient contact form or give our office a call.