Serious Injuries Attorney

There Is Help for Anyone Who Has Suffered a Catastrophic Injury

There is help available for anyone who has suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else's negligence. This can be done by filing a personal injury lawsuit. A lawsuit can help those recovering from a catastrophic injury claim the compensation they need to pay for the high medical costs and other expenses related to the injury. It can also help accident victims maintain their dignity and reclaim their independence.

Those suffering from this type of injury should know that they do not need to file a lawsuit, and try to prove it, all on their own. An experienced personal injury attorney can help them through the process and give them the best chance at recovering the compensation they deserve. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, don't hesitate to contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.

California Catastrophic Injury Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accident injuries are now the third-leading cause of death in the United States. And, when it comes to catastrophic injuries, California leads the nation. There are many different types of catastrophic injuries, but some of the most common include brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and burn injuries. These types of injuries can have a devastating impact on the victim and their family, both emotionally and financially.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident that resulted in a catastrophic injury, it's important to understand your rights and options. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you seek the compensation you deserve.

The CDC reports that there are approximately 2.5 million ER visits, 1 million hospitalizations, and 225,000 deaths resulting from accidental injuries each year in the United States.

• Accidental injuries are the leading cause of death for people ages 1-44.
• In California, there were 8,935 unintentional injury deaths in 2016.
• Of those unintentional injury deaths, 3,382 were due to falls, 2,867 were due to motor vehicle accidents, and 886 were due to poisoning.
• Brain injuries are one of the most devastating types of catastrophic injuries. They can occur as a result of a fall, a car accident, or even a sports-related accident.
• According to the Brain Injury Association of America, there are approximately 2.87 million people living with a brain injury in the United States.
• In California, there are an estimated 1 million people living with a brain injury.
• Approximately 564,000 of those people require some type of assistance to perform activities of daily living.
• Spinal cord injuries can also be extremely debilitating. They often result in paralysis, which can impact the victim's ability to work and enjoy their life.
• According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, there are an estimated 17,730 people living with a spinal cord injury in the United States.
• In California, there are an estimated 4,053 people living with a spinal cord injury.
• Approximately 2,102 of those people require some type of assistance to perform activities of daily living.
• Burn injuries are another type of catastrophic injury that can have a lifelong impact on the victim.
• According to the American Burn Association, there are approximately 486,000 burn injuries requiring medical treatment each year in the United States.
• Of those burn injuries, approximately 3,275 cases result in death.
• In California, there were 1,518 burn injury deaths in 2016.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident that resulted in a catastrophic injury, it's important to understand your rights and options. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you seek the compensation you deserve.

At ME Lawyers, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers has helped countless accident victims and their families recover the compensation they need to get their lives back on track. We have a proven track record of success in cases involving all types of catastrophic injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and burn injuries.

Types of California Catastrophic Injuries

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Many different types of catastrophic injuries can occur in California. Some of the most common include:

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Traumatic brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries are a result of blunt force trauma to the head. After a traumatic brain injury, a person’s brain could begin swelling, bleeding, bruising, and otherwise suffering from inflammation. The symptoms experienced shortly after the injury can range from mild to severe, and may include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, sleep problems, and more. In some cases, a traumatic brain injury can lead to long-term or even permanent cognitive impairments.

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Skull fractures: A skull fracture is a break in one or more of the bones that make up the skull. A skull fracture can be classified as either closed (simple) or open (compound). An open skull fracture is more serious, as it may also involve a laceration of the brain. Skull fractures can cause severe pain, bruising, and swelling around the injury site. In some cases, they can also lead to unconsciousness or even death.

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Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries are a result of damage to the spinal cord, which is the main conduit between the brain and the rest of the body. Spinal cord injuries can vary in severity, from mild (temporary paralysis) to severe (permanent paralysis). In some cases, a spinal cord injury can also lead to paralysis below the level of the injury (e.g., paraplegia) or above the level of the injury (e.g., quadriplegia).

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Amputations: Amputations are the removal of a limb or other appendage from the body. They can be partial (e.g., the removal of a finger) or complete (e.g., the removal of an arm). Amputations are often the result of severe trauma, such as a car accident. In some cases, they may also be necessary to prevent the spread of infection.

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Burn injuries: Burn injuries are a result of contact with heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation. They can vary in severity from first-degree (redness and swelling) to third-degree (charring and destruction of tissue). Burn injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts and surgery. In some cases, they can also lead to disfigurement or even death.

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Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in California

Most catastrophic injuries are preventable, and a result of an accident caused by another person's negligence. Negligence is a legal term referring to a reckless or careless act carried out by one or more people, with little to no regard for the safety of others.

While any accident has the potential to cause a catastrophic injury, some accidents are more commonly seen than others in these types of cases.

Auto accidents: When an auto accident occurs, it can seriously injure those involved. Motorcyclists who are thrown from their bike in the event of an accident are likely to sustain catastrophic injuries, as are pedestrians who are hit by a car.

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Slip and fall accidents: These accidents can occur anywhere, from a grocery store to a friend's house. They are often caused by wet or icy conditions and can result in serious injuries like broken bones or head injuries.

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Workplace accidents: Many people are injured every year in workplace accidents. These accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, such as dangerous equipment or hazardous conditions.

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Sports injuries: Though they are not always catastrophic, sports injuries can sometimes lead to permanent damage. Injuries sustained while playing contact sports are particularly prone to causing long-term problems.

Catastrophic injuries can have a devastating impact on the lives of those who suffer them. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, it is important to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. An experienced California personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Liability for Catastrophic Injuries in California

When a person or entity acts negligently and that negligence results in injury to another person, the injured individual can hold the negligent party liable under California law. This is true even if the injuries are catastrophic in nature. Negligent parties can include other individuals, employers, companies, insurance companies, or other entities. In many cases, more than one person or entity is often considered liable for damages. This is the case, for example, in car accidents that involve multiple vehicles and drivers.

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Determining liability is not always easy. Those who have suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence should seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure that their rights are protected. An experienced attorney can help investigate the accident, identify all potential liable parties, and negotiate with insurance companies to get the compensation you deserve.

Comparative Negligence in California Catastrophic Injury Cases

In a catastrophic injury case, all liable parties are taken into consideration. This includes the injured victim. When someone becomes injured during an accident, and they were partially at fault for that accident, they often think they cannot receive any compensation. This, however, is not true.

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In California, we follow a rule known as comparative negligence. This means that each party involved in an accident is responsible for their own actions, and they will be held liable according to the percentage of fault they hold. So, if you are injured in an accident, and you are found to be 20% at fault, you can still recover compensation, but it will be reduced by 20%.

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This rule is important because it allows injured victims to get the compensation they deserve, even if they were partially at fault for the accident. If you have been injured in an accident, and you think you may be at fault, don't assume that you cannot recover any compensation. Contact an experienced attorney to discuss your case and find out what your options are.

Calculating Compensation in California for Catastrophic Injuries

After sustaining a catastrophic injury, one of the first things on your mind is likely to be how much compensation you will receive. The amount of money you are entitled to receive depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the impact they have had on your life, and the state in which you live.

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In California, compensation for catastrophic injuries is divided into two categories: compensatory and non-economic damages.

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Compensatory damages are designed to reimburse the injured party for their actual losses. This includes things like medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of future medical care. These damages are relatively easy to calculate, as they are based on specific receipts and invoices. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are more difficult to quantify. These damages are intended to compensate the injured party for more intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Because these damages are more subjective, they are often calculated as a percentage of the compensatory damages.

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In California, there is no cap on the amount of compensatory or non-economic damages that an injured party can receive. This means that, in theory, an injured individual could receive millions of dollars in compensation for their injuries. However, it is important to keep in mind that most personal injury cases settle out of court for much less than the full value of the claim. If you have been catastrophically injured in an accident, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to help you understand your rights and options, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Catastrophic Injuries in the California Workplace

When a worker in California suffers a catastrophic injury, they are protected by workers' compensation laws. These laws provide benefits to injured workers, including coverage of medical expenses and lost wages. If you have been injured in a workplace accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Once you have been seen by a doctor, you should then contact an experienced workers' compensation attorney. An attorney can help you navigate the workers' compensation system and ensure that you receive the benefits you are entitled to.

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Catastrophic injuries in the workplace are unfortunately all too common. In California, every employer with at least one employee must carry workers’ compensation insurance. In the event of a workplace accident that results in catastrophic injury, the employee must go through this insurance to receive accident benefits.

This limits their ability to sue their employers. However, there are five instances in which employees can file a lawsuit against their employer. These include:

• When the employer caused the injury by a willful act.
• When the employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance.
• When the injury was caused by a third party.
• When the injury was caused by defective equipment.
• When the injury was caused by toxic exposure.

If you have suffered a catastrophic injury in the workplace, it is important to speak to an experienced attorney who can help you determine if you are eligible to file a lawsuit against your employer.

Why Catastrophic Accident Victims Need to Contact an Attorney

Catastrophic accidents can have a devastating impact on victims and their families. In addition to the physical and emotional injuries suffered, these accidents can also result in significant financial burdens. While many accident victims believe that their insurance company will provide the benefits they need, this is often not the case, particularly when the injuries are categorized as catastrophic. Insurance companies are businesses, and as such, their primary goal is to make a profit. This means that they will often do everything they can to minimize the amount of money they have to pay out on claims.

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If you or a loved one has been involved in a catastrophic accident, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. An attorney can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. They will also be able to take your case to court if necessary. While no amount of money can undo the damage caused by a catastrophic accident, it can help to ease the financial burden and allow you to focus on your recovery.

If you have been involved in such an accident, do not hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you get the compensation you deserve.

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