Severe & Debilitating Injury Claims

While any injury has the potential to change a person’s life, some injuries are so severe, they leave victims facing permanent, irreversible impairment. These injuries are known as “catastrophic injuries,” and they present numerous challenges to both victims and their loved ones. Families are often left dealing with massive medical bills and lost income when catastrophically injured individuals are unable to return to work and earn a living. Not to mention, they may need to enlist the help of in-home caregivers, make modifications to their homes to accommodate new disabilities, and will almost certainly face a lifetime of future challenges.

At Jones & Hill, we understand the significant impact of catastrophic injuries on victims and their families. For over 35 years, our firm has been helping clients in our community protect their rights against the best interests of large corporations, insurance companies, and their defense teams. Our Louisiana catastrophic injury lawyers provide caring, client-focused representation and personal attention every step of the way. We are happy to discuss your options and inform you of your rights during a free, confidential consultation.

Get in touch with us today at 1-888-481-1333 or submit a free online case evaluation form to request a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.

What Is a “Catastrophic Injury?”

There is no set definition of a “catastrophic injury,” but most experts agree that any injury that results in significant impairment and/or temporary or permanent disability is “catastrophic” in nature.

Some examples of injuries that are commonly catastrophic include:

• Amputation
• Blindness/loss of vision
• Brain injuries
• Burns
• Hearing loss
• Internal organ damage
• Loss of limb/extremities
• Soft tissue injuries
• Spinal injuries

These types of injuries typically result in some form of impairment, leading to numerous other physical, financial, and emotional challenges for victims. If you or your loved one suffered a serious, catastrophic injury and you believe someone else is to blame, you could have grounds for legal action. By filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party, you could recover financial compensation for your losses resulting from the injury.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

In some cases, catastrophic injuries result from illnesses, genetics, medical conditions, and other uncontrollable factors. However, they most commonly result from the negligent and wrongful conduct of others. In other words, most catastrophic injuries are entirely preventable.

Some of the leading causes of catastrophic injuries include:

• Car, motorcycle, and other automobile accidents
• Large truck and commercial vehicle collisions
• Falls, including falls to lower levels and slip and fall accidents
• Workplace and work-related accidents/injuries
• Offshore injuries, agricultural accidents, and other industrial accidents
• Criminal acts and violence, including assault
• Sports- and recreation-related accidents
• Medical malpractice and negligence

Regardless of how you or your loved one’s injuries occurred, you should not have to simply deal with the consequences of someone else’s reckless, careless, or intentional actions on your own—and Jones & Hill can help. Our Louisiana catastrophic injury lawyers are ready to fight for the maximum recovery you are owed so that you can get back on your feet and move forward.

What Makes Catastrophic Injury Claims Different from Standard Personal Injury Cases?

Although they share many similarities, standard personal injury claims and those involving catastrophic injuries are different in one key way: the complexity of catastrophic injury cases makes them somewhat more challenging than other claims involving less-serious injuries.

These complexities can be seen in the following ways:

• The Severity of the Plaintiff’s Injuries: Severe injuries typically require more extensive medical attention than less-serious injuries. A catastrophic injury victim may require various forms of treatment, as well as future or even lifetime care. As such, calculating the full cost of the plaintiff’s medical expenses can be difficult in catastrophic injury claims. It is critical that catastrophically injured victims receive proper medical care, and an attorney with experience in this area can help connect you with the right medical team.
• The Extent of the Plaintiff’s Damages: Catastrophic injuries also tend to lead to more extensive damages. Not only will medical costs be high, but the plaintiff is also likely to suffer lost income/wages, as his or her injuries may result in a disability that prevents the plaintiff from returning to work or obtaining any gainful employment whatsoever. Additionally, the value of the plaintiff’s physical and emotional pain and suffering is likely to be immense. All of this makes it more complicated to calculate the full extent of the plaintiff’s economic and non-economic losses.
• The Value of the Claim: Generally speaking, catastrophic injury claims tend to be high in value due to the significant costs associated with diagnosing, treating, and managing severe injuries. The value of these claims is also driven up by the high costs of lost wages, pain and suffering, lost enjoyment of life, and other economic and non-economic damages. Because of this, insurance companies are more likely to dispute, devalue, and deny catastrophic injury claims. Their goal is to lower costs and avoid paying out high-value claims, which can leave victims and their families shouldering the burden.

At Jones & Hill, we have extensive experience navigating complex catastrophic injury claims. We understand the nuances inherent in these types of cases, and we know how to fight back against insurance companies’ attempts to reduce your recovery or deny you your rightful compensation.