Catastrophic injuries can cause overwhelming physical, financial, and emotional challenges. Individuals who suffer catastrophic injuries will usually experience long-term or permanent disabilities. Brain injuries, amputations, burn injuries, and spinal cord injuries are all considered catastrophic injuries. 

Catastrophic injuries can significantly impact a person’s life by requiring lifelong medical care and painful rehabilitation. At Dell & Dean, PLLC, we have a longstanding record of pursuing and obtaining successful client verdicts and settlements. With decades of experience, we’ve dedicated our law firm to helping victims seriously injured by others’ negligence. 

What Are Catastrophic Injuries?

A catastrophic injury is a severe injury that prevents a person from being able to engage in activities he or she once enjoyed. Individuals who suffer catastrophic injuries are usually not able to return to work and provide for themselves and their family members. They may experience significant deformities and experience symptoms that make it necessary for them to receive around-the-clock medical attention. Many different types of injuries could fall into the category of catastrophic injuries, but some of the most common examples include the following:

Catastrophic Injuries Are Frequently Caused by Accident

It only takes seconds for another person’s negligence or recklessness to cause a devastating accident that forever changes a victim’s life. Nearly any type of accident can cause catastrophic injuries, but the following types of accidents are some of the most common:

Catastrophic Injuries Can Result in Costly Medical Expenses

Survivors of catastrophic injuries will usually need extensive medical treatment. Even when a Survivor has health insurance, deductibles and uncovered treatment costs can quickly add up. A person may face over a million dollars of medical and rehabilitative expenses over their lifetime. At the same time, those with catastrophic injuries are usually not able to return to work. 

Reaching out to an attorney after you’ve experienced a catastrophic injury is an important way to move forward and pursue compensation for all of your medical expenses. Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance claim can help you recover the compensation you need for your medical treatment and therapy.

How Much Is My Catastrophic Accident Case Worth?

The value of your case will depend on several different factors. Generally, the more debilitating and long-lasting your injuries are, the higher the value of your claim for compensation. Victims of personal injury accidents can pursue economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are easy to quantify and include the following types of expenses:

  • Medical expenses related to hospital stays, doctor’s visits, assistive medical devices, surgeries, and other medical treatment
  • Future medical care and rehabilitative treatment
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced earning capacity due to disability
  • Personal property damage

In addition to easily quantifiable damages, victims can pursue non-economic damages for the pain and suffering caused by their catastrophic injury. These types of damages include compensation for pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of companionship, disability, disfigurement, and inconvenience. 

When the at-fault party acted with willful disregard for other people’s safety, the victim may be able to recover additional punitive damages. The attorneys at Dell & Dean, PLLC will work with you and financial and medical experts to carefully determine the full value of your claim so we can pursue the maximum compensation in your case. 

Proving Liability in a Catastrophic Injury Claim in New York

As with all personal injury claims, winning a catastrophic injury claim requires proving the at-fault party’s liability. As the injured plaintiff, you and your attorney must prove that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care and breached that duty through negligence. Negligence means the failure to act reasonably under the circumstances to protect others from becoming injured. Negligence can include acting unsafely, unreasonably, or failing to act reasonably. 

Suppose a drunk driver has injured you. When you can prove that the driver’s intoxication caused the car accident that resulted in your catastrophic injuries, you will be able to prove liability. Suppose you were injured by a dangerous condition on another person’s property, such as a dangerous staircase. In that case, you may be able to prove the owner is liable because they failed to take steps to make the staircase safe or warn you of the dangers. 

The damages in catastrophic injury cases are usually significant. Insurance companies and defendants will be motivated to deny your claim for compensation or dispute their liability. They may offer you a settlement amount that is far too low to cover all of your current and future medical expenses. When you work with Dell & Dean, PLLC, we will immediately begin pursuing the full compensation you deserve by investigating your case and developing an effective legal strategy to prove liability. We will handle all negotiations with the insurance company so you can focus on your recovery. 

Get in Touch with a Catastrophic Injury Attorney Serving New York & Long Island

When you work with Dell & Dean, PLLC, you can rest assured that we will use our resources and experience to handle every aspect of your claim while you focus on your recovery. Our compassionate attorneys understand how devastating it can be to suffer a catastrophic injury because of someone else’s negligence. You have limited time to pursue the compensation you need and deserve. Don’t hesitate to contact Dell & Dean, PLLC to schedule a complimentary case evaluation and learn more about your legal rights and options.

Dell & Dean, PLLC handles claims throughout Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island as well as the boroughs of New York City, and the surrounding areas.