Certain types of accidents are so severe that they cause life-altering injuries. These catastrophic injuries can prevent you from going to work or participating in recreational activities. Your medical condition may even limit your ability to perform daily activities such as walking, getting dressed, and bathing. When an accident causes a life-changing injury, your first priority should be getting the medical treatment you need. The more proactive you are in seeking medical care, the better your chances for a full medical and financial recovery.
Once your immediate medical needs are met, you should immediately start thinking about your legal options. If your accident happened because of another party’s reckless or careless conduct, Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can file a lawsuit for your injuries and losses. In multiple catastrophic injury cases handled by Jon Ostroff, as soon as the firm was hired, they filed emergency motions in court that prevented the defendant trucking company and busing companies from modifying critical evidence. Ostroff was able to use this preserved evidence in these cases to win a verdict in excess of $5 million, settlements for other clients totaling in excess of $21 million in a Union County bus crash case, and $10 million in a truck crash case. Without this quick action and critical evidence in these matters, the odds against winning were remote.
In another catastrophic case, our legal team represented an interstate trucker who sustained a crushed pelvis in a massive highway pileup on I-80 during a snowstorm. This severe collision involved over 60 trucks and cars. Our skilled personal injury attorneys hired experts to reconstruct the accident and determine fault.
In yet another matter, Jon Ostroff obtained a key statement from the at-fault trucker only two days after this crash and before his trucking company and lawyers were able to shield him from admitting his fault. This case resulted in a settlement of over $3 million for Jon’s seriously injured client.
Jon Ostroff, Managing Partner Rich Godshall, and our Lewisburg catastrophic injury lawyers have years of experience with severe accident claims. If you are dealing with the aftermath of a life-threatening incident, we can help you by aggressively building the case against the responsible parties.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
State law does not offer a specific definition of a “catastrophic injury”. In the legal context, the term usually means an injury that leads to a permanent change in your ability to work, live independently, or care for yourself. Injuries that might be considered catastrophic include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Injuries causing blindness or deafness
- Paralysis
- Organ system damage
- Injuries requiring the amputation of a limb
- Severe burn
Secondary Health Issues
Catastrophic injuries often lead to many other secondary health complications. For example, if you are struggling with severe burns, you might suffer lifelong pain and have trouble regulating your body temperature. If you have a spinal cord injury, you may be at high risk of developing paralysis, deep vein thrombosis, bladder and urinary tract infections, pressure sores, and stroke. If you had a limb amputated, you might develop phantom pain, chronic wounds, or infections at the stump.
Psychological Consequences of a Life-Altering Injury
Catastrophic injuries almost always have an impact on your mental health. Depression and anxiety might develop or worsen. Suicidal thoughts are not uncommon. Getting appropriate mental health support is critical to your recovery. Because of these additional issues, it is crucial to work with a skilled attorney in Lewisburg who can help you get the mental health support you need from a licensed therapist and/or psychiatrist, who can help you support you through your catastrophic injury claim.
Seeking Compensation After a Severe Accident
When an accident causes a catastrophic injury, your attorney will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident. The purpose of the investigation is to identify any parties whose conduct might have contributed to the accident and gather evidence establishing their negligence.
42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §5524 gives you two years from the date you developed your injury to bring a lawsuit. However, settlement negotiations could begin before a lawsuit is even filed. If the at-fault party offers an adequate settlement, we are often able to resolve your case before it gets to trial. When negotiations are unsuccessful, a seasoned lawyer can help you gather evidence and present your case in court.
Damages for Catastrophic Injuries
If your case goes to court, a jury will decide on the amount of damages you should receive. Damages refer to the payment you collect from the at-fault party for your injuries, harm and losses. An award of damages could cover all your past and future expenses related to your injury, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Medical costs
- Property damage
- Costs of home accessibility modifications
- Embarrassment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of life’s pleasures
As a family member, you can seek damages for the loss of your loved one’s support and companionship. In rare cases where a defendant’s actions were malicious, intentional, or outrageous, a jury can award punitive damages. Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers has been successful in obtaining punitive damage verdicts for our clients. Talk to one of our experienced local lawyers about the damages typically available in a life-altering accident case.
Work with a Lewisburg Catastrophic Injury Attorney
Learning to cope with a catastrophic injury can be challenging for you and your loved ones. Having a knowledgeable ally to turn to for advice and support could make a significant difference in your case.
Our Lewisburg catastrophic injury lawyers at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can help your family through this tragedy and prepare you to move forward. Schedule a free consultation today.
