When an accident results in a severe, permanent injury, your life will never be the same. Dealing with high medical bills and lost income is just the beginning of the many things that will significantly disrupt your life. If you or a loved one were in a life-altering accident caused by a negligent party, a Bethlehem catastrophic injury lawyer can offer legal guidance.
Rich Godshall has represented thousands of accident victims suffering from severe injuries. Rich has spent the past 18 years focusing on multi-million dollar catastrophic injury cases.
In a past claim, our team represented multiple victims who suffered injuries in an accident involving a Greyhound bus. One of our clients suffered several injuries, including a severe neck fracture and injury. We obtained a verdict against Greyhound Bus Company and recovered over $4 million for this client.
Altogether, our legal team of personal injury lawyers won over $21 million on behalf of our clients who were injured in this Greyhound bus crash. We can help you obtain the compensation you need after a devastating accident.
What is a Catastrophic Injury?
Pennsylvania state law does not define the term “catastrophic injury,” but the general understanding is that these injuries require medical intervention, have a long recovery time, and have permanent consequences. Some of the common types of catastrophic injuries are spinal cord injuries, paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, severe burns, and loss of a limb.
There are many other life-altering injuries that may not be initially obvious. For example, an accident could leave you with internal organ damage that prevents you from holding certain jobs or engaging in activities you once enjoyed. An accident attorney in Bethlehem can review your medical records and help you prove your injury will have a significant long-term impact on your lifestyle.
Proving Another Party is Liable
In order to recover compensation, you must prove that another party was negligent and that their actions led to your injury. Negligence is failing to use reasonable caution to protect others from harm.
The steps you need to take to prove negligence depend on how your injury occurred. If you were in a car accident, proof of negligence may arise from the way a crash occurred, such as in a rear end crash. Alternatively, you can prove a party was inattentive, aggressive, or impaired as part of establishing their negligence.
Likewise, if a fall in a restaurant caused your injury, introducing evidence that the property owner knew of the dangerous condition, evidence of the owner’s failure to repair or protect against it can be used to prove negligence. An experienced local attorney in Bethlehem can present evidence to prove the other party is responsible for your catastrophic injuries.
Seeking Financial Recovery After an Accident in Bethlehem
The costs related to treating catastrophic injuries are steep. In addition to emergency medical care, you may require hospitalization, rehabilitative therapy, and long-term care. Covering all these expenses can seem impossible, especially if you cannot work due to your condition.
In a successful lawsuit, you can obtain financial compensation to cover your economic damages, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost income, including lost business and professional opportunities
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Loss of consortium with a spouse
- Cost of mobility aids and home accessibility modifications
After a catastrophic injury, a skilled attorney can help your family assess your losses and compile the documentation necessary to support a claim for damages.
Reach Out to a Bethlehem Catastrophic Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one were involved in a catastrophic accident, having a seasoned legal advocate on your side can make a huge difference for you and your family. Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers has the resources to build a strong case and help you get the compensation you need to cover your losses. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation with a Bethlehem catastrophic injury lawyer.