Every day, accidents occur that leave victims permanently impaired or catastrophically injured. Catastrophic injuries are permanent bodily injuries that significantly impair a victim’s ability to function and engage in his or her day-to-day activities. When a person has a catastrophic injury, he or she will likely not be able to return to work, making it difficult to pay for expensive medical treatment.
If you or your loved one have become catastrophically injured due to another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. The Virginia catastrophic injury lawyers at Surovell Isaacs & Levy PLC can help you understand your legal rights and options. We have a proven track record of helping our clients obtain the most amount of compensation possible in catastrophic injury lawsuits. Contact our personal injury law firm today to discuss your case.
The Benefit of Consulting with a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Virginia
Experiencing a catastrophic injury is life-changing, and it can be challenging to know what to do after becoming injured. Speaking to an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer can help you understand all of your legal options. You only have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit in Virginia. The sooner you speak to a catastrophic injury lawyer, the more time your lawyer will have to prepare the evidence in your case.
Personal injury lawyers know how to seek the best possible outcome for their clients. If you are attempting to recover compensation through an insurance company, your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company and hold them accountable. If you are pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, your lawyer will be able to investigate your case and negotiate with the defendant.
In some cases, reaching a settlement agreement isn’t possible. In that case, your catastrophic injury lawyer will be able to litigate your case in court. It’s worth taking the time to discuss your case with a lawyer. Obtaining compensation through a personal injury lawsuit could allow you and your family to live comfortably. Many of our clients feel a tremendous sense of relief knowing that they can focus on their recovery while we handle every aspect of their case and protect their rights.
Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Accidents are the number one cause of catastrophic injuries. A catastrophic accident can occur to anyone at any time, and they happen in a wide variety of circumstances. However, these are some of the most common types of accidents that cause catastrophic injuries in Virginia:
- Violent crime
- Jet ski accidents
- Trampoline accidents
- Horseback riding accidents
- Skiing accidents
- Dangerously defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Explosions and fires
- Slip and fall accidents
- Falling from great heights
- Sports accidents, such as ice hockey, football, and cheerleading accidents
- Boating accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Car accidents
- Accidents involving semi-trucks
- Work-related accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Malfunctioning equipment
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
There are numerous causes of catastrophic injuries, but all catastrophic injuries involve serious bodily injuries that significantly impact a person’s life. Many victims of catastrophic injuries suffered multiple devastating injuries. For example, a pedestrian involved in a car accident may suffer a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) along with bone fractures and organ damage. Some of the most common types of catastrophic injuries include the following:
- Severe burns
- Amputation
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Coma
- Neurological problems
- Multiple bone fractures
- Complete or partial paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Hearing loss
- Vision loss
- Spinal cord injuries
Recovering Compensation After Becoming Paralyzed
Paralysis is one of the most devastating types of catastrophic injuries a person can experience. Spinal cord injuries can cause varying levels of paralysis. When a person’s spinal cord becomes injured, he or she may experience paralysis below the location of the spinal cord injury. When a person becomes paralyzed, they may become entirely dependent on other people for medical care and complete daily tasks. In some cases, people living with paralysis also have experienced a traumatic brain injury, making it difficult for them to communicate and understand their loved ones.
Paralysis can be temporary or permanent, and a person can experience partial paralysis, paraplegia, or quadriplegic. In addition to not moving or feeling sensation, individuals with paralysis also experience other painful and challenging symptoms. For example, individuals with paralysis often suffer from frequent bladder infections, tingling, headaches, fevers, and pain.
Patients with paralysis require significant medical care. The cost associated with treating paralysis over a person’s lifetime can exceed $2 million. If you or your loved one have become paralyzed in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to economic compensation. Recovering compensation through a personal injury lawsuit will allow you and your family to pay for all of the medical treatment you need now and in the future.
The Virginia Statute of Limitations for a Catastrophic Injury Claim
According to Virginia law, those who’ve been injured in a traumatic accident must file a claim within two years of the date they become injured. If your loved one passed away due to his or her injuries, you would have two years from his or her death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. There is an exception to the statute of limitations for medical malpractice victims who discover a foreign object in their body after a medical procedure.
In this case, victims have two years after discovering the for an object to file a personal injury lawsuit. Lawsuits involving catastrophic injuries are complex and require a significant amount of discovery. The sooner you speak to an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer in Virginia, the more time your lawyer will have to gather evidence and prepare your case.
Contact a Virginia Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Catastrophic injuries are devastating, and they change a person’s life forever. If you or your loved one have experienced a catastrophic injury, Surovell Isaacs & Levy PLC is here to help. Contact our experienced personal injury lawyers today to learn about your legal options.