The goal of personal injury litigation is to help an injured person pursue compensation from the at-fault party for all losses resulting from the harm sustained. However, financial recovery alone may not fully address the life-altering or potentially life-threatening consequences of another person’s negligence. In such cases, pursuing civil restitution proactively may be essential to preserving long-term quality of life..
If you sustained a permanent and debilitating injury in an accident caused by another party, it is important to consult a Huntsville catastrophic injury lawyer to evaluate the potential for a civil claim. A seasoned personal injury attorney could provide critical support at every stage of the process, from building a comprehensive case against all responsible parties to pursuing fair and full compensation for your losses.
Causes and Effects of Catastrophic Accidents
In legal terms, a catastrophic injury refers to a permanent loss of bodily function that is expected to persist for the remainder of the injured person’s life or directly contribute to an early death. Common examples of injuries that meet these criteria and frequently result from a third party’s negligence include:
- High-degree burns
- Spinal cord trauma
- Severe nerve damage
- Internal organ trauma
- Loss/amputation of limb
- Moderate to severe brain damage
- Bone fractures involving breaks in multiple places at once
Car crashes are a particularly common source of catastrophic injuries in Huntsville and throughout Alabama. However, trauma of this severity may also result from criminal assaults, falls from height or onto hard surfaces, medical negligence, or collisions during athletic activities. Regardless of the cause, an experienced attorney could assess who bears legal responsibility and pursue financial accountability for the substantial harm caused by their misconduct.
What Damages Are Recoverable Through Catastrophic Injury Claims?
A qualified lawyer could also work to incorporate both economic and non-economic losses into a lawsuit or settlement demand stemming from a catastrophic injury in Huntsville. On the economic side, a typical claim emphasizes both immediate and future medical expenses, including the cost of rehabilitative treatments and long-term disability management. It is also essential to account for lost income and diminished earning capacity, as well as out-of-pocket costs such as those required to modify a private residence—for example, installing a wheelchair ramp.
Non-economic damages typically address physical pain and suffering but may also include compensation for emotional distress, psychological trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life. In limited cases involving particularly egregious negligence or intentional misconduct, a court may impose punitive damages in addition to requiring the at-fault party to provide compensatory damages for the harm they caused.
Speak with a Huntsville Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today
Suffering a life-altering injury by no fault of your own can be devastating and infuriating in equal measure, and trying to navigate the civil court system in pursuit of financial compensation for that injury can be incredibly frustrating in its own right. Fortunately, you have support available to you from compassionate legal professionals who know exactly how to handle situations like yours and can give you the best possible chances of getting paid everything you deserve.
A Huntsville catastrophic injury lawyer from our firm could discuss your legal options with you in further detail during a confidential consultation. Contact us today to schedule yours.
