Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Jonesborough TN
Most individuals have heard of personal injury cases that involve different types of accidents, injuries, and repercussions for victims and their families. However, many personal injury lawyers distinguish the most severe cases, often referring to them as catastrophic personal injuries. What sets apart catastrophic injuries from other conditions is that they are usually permanent injuries that qualify for significantly greater compensation. For example, approximately 17,810 Americans suffer traumatic spinal cord injuries each year, often resulting in partial or complete paralysis that requires medical assistance for life.
A catastrophic injury can alter an individual’s existence in a moment. These injuries mean that a person is usually no longer able to work, and some level of life-long care, therapy, and treatment is needed. To ensure a victim is fully compensated for injuries and damages, it is critical to calculate all economic and non-economic expenses accurately. At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we have over three decades of experience in successfully helping victims who have suffered catastrophic injuries. We can help estimate the financial compensation that may be required for a long-term injury and tenaciously fight to secure the maximum compensation possible.
If you or a loved one suffered a life-altering injury, you need an experienced Jonesborough, TN personal injury lawyer that will fight to hold all responsible parties accountable and to get you the full compensation you rightfully deserve to care for your injuries and family.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is a serious injury to the brain, spinal cord, or spine. It also includes skull and spinal fractures. These injuries can necessitate years or even a lifetime of medical care, and often additional surgeries. Further, a catastrophic injury often results in permanent disfigurement, impairment, or disability.
Injuries this severe can lead to long-term pain and suffering, shortening a victim’s lifespan and even causing premature death. Examples of catastrophic personal injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputation/loss of limbs
- Paraplegia/quadriplegia
- Severe burn injuries
- Multiple broken bones/orthopedic injuries
- Severe nerve or ligament damage
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Chronic illnesses
What Are The Most Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries?
At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we represent clients in nearly every type of catastrophic injury case, including:
- Car accidents
- Sports Injuries
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Sports injuries
- Slips and falls
- Products liability
- Premises liability
- Defective medical equipment
- Defective pharmaceuticals
- Birth injuries
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Other accidents
No matter the size or type of case, Jonesborough personal injury attorney Mark Hurt stands ready to fight to hold those responsible accountable and to get you the compensation you and your family rightfully deserve.
What Is the Difference Between a Catastrophic Personal Injury and Personal Injury Claims?
The difference between a catastrophic injury claim and a personal injury claim is usually the scale and compensation amount. The following are just a few differences between catastrophic and traditional personal injury claims:
1. Scale of Damage
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- Catastrophic personal injury claims are typically higher in value because the injuries are much more severe. They usually require more compensation for expenses (such as medical treatment, prescriptions, lost wages, therapy, transportation, loss of enjoyment of life, and more) than typical personal injury cases.
2. Damage Duration
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- Catastrophic personal injuries often persist for significantly longer than typical injuries. In cases involving spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and paralysis, victims usually have medical conditions that require long-term or lifetime medical care. Hiring an experienced Jonesborough, TN personal injury lawyer may be critical to ensuring that a victim and their family have the financial means to secure the care they need.
3. Need for Greater Expertise
- Catastrophic personal injury cases usually entail more medical information than other matters. Medical specialists usually examine injuries and provide their opinion. They must also testify in court to illustrate the severity and scope of damages suffered by a victim. As a well-known Jonesborough catastrophic personal injury firm, we regularly work with renowned experts in various fields.
What Makes a Catastrophic Personal Injury Case Unique?
The following are a few things that make a catastrophic personal injury case unique:
1. Damage and Impact on Families
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- Since these injuries result in more severe physical harm than typical personal injuries, they pose a greater potential for lasting or life-long repercussions, such as slow and painful recoveries, impairments, and disabilities. While damages vary from case to case, almost all catastrophic personal injuries cause physical, financial, and emotional losses. Economic and non-economic damages usually include:
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- Current and future medical bills
- Lost income
- Lost future wages and earning potential
- Financial losses incurred by families
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
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2. Long-Term or Life-Long Repercussions
As illustrated by the damages above, victims who sustain severe injuries often suffer longer from damages such as:
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- Temporary, partial, or total disability
- Loss of sensory or body function
- Permanent disfigurements (such as scarring and amputation)
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3. Higher Stakes and More Challenges
Fighting a catastrophic personal injury case can be more challenging than a traditional personal injury matter. There are not only higher stakes for securing needed compensation but also some unique complexities that usually arise in these high-dollar cases, including:
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- Disputes from Defendants. Insurance companies want to pay victims as little as possible to protect their bottom lines. Since there is more potential compensation involved, there is also an increased likelihood of challenges from the defense, which may dispute not only fault and liability but also the scope of damages.
- Litigation. Due to higher stakes, it is more likely that a case will proceed to trial. While an out-of-court settlement is possible, often the defendants are not willing to pay full compensation. When this happens, it is critical to hire an experienced trial lawyer who has the resources and ability to represent you in court effectively.
- Expert Testimony. Both parties use experts when supporting and refuting claims. For example, in a construction accident, contractors may testify as experts. Alternatively, in a medical malpractice case, senior physicians may testify and share their opinion regarding an injury. We work with an extensive network of experts and can provide guidance regarding the professionals who may be needed to build a strong and persuasive case.
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4. Calculating the Full Value of a Case.
Injuries such as quadriplegia can result in a lifetime of care, which may last for decades. While a settlement offer in excess of $1 million may initially seem like a lot of money, the full cost of care may in fact exceed $10 million, if round-the-clock nursing or skilled care services are required.
Because there will only be one opportunity to recover the full compensation needed, it is critical to retain a tenacious and experienced trial lawyer, as many of these cases will go to trial.
Call The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation!
In a catastrophic personal injury case, the stakes are higher, so hiring the right personal injury lawyer may be critical to the success of your claim. At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, our experienced team has helped many victims secure fair compensation.
If you or your loved one have been involved in an accident that resulted in a catastrophic personal injury, call Jonesborough, TN personal injury lawyer Mark Hurt now regarding your legal rights.