A catastrophic injury can completely change your life in an instant. If you suffered one that wasn’t your fault, an Aurora personal injury lawyer can help you seek justice.
An unexpected injury can lead to sky-high medical bills, time off work, and a variety of other unforeseen expenses. A catastrophic injury lawyer in Aurora from Therman Law can help you file a legal claim and recover compensation for your losses.
Benefits of Hiring an Aurora Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Filing a catastrophic injury claim without legal representation is risky. An experienced attorney can:
- Evaluate your case: Your lawyer will review the circumstances of your accident, medical records, and potential liability to determine the strength of your claim.
- Gather evidence: This includes medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert testimony.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Your lawyer will handle all communications with insurers and work to negotiate a fair settlement.
- Represent you in court: If negotiations fail, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent you in court to pursue the maximum possible compensation.
A catastrophic injury attorney in Aurora can handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on your recovery.
What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is more than just a serious injury—it compromises your ability to work, enjoy daily activities, or care for yourself. Common examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries: These injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis and often require lifelong care.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): These brain injuries can cause memory loss, cognitive impairment, and emotional changes.
- Severe burns: Extensive burns may require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and long-term rehabilitation.
- Amputations: Losing a limb can drastically impact your mobility and independence.
- Organ damage or failure: Injuries to vital organs may require ongoing medical treatment or transplantation.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Aurora
Some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries are:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Collisions involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, or pedestrians often result in serious injuries like spinal cord damage or TBIs.
- Slip and fall accidents: Dangerous conditions on public or private property can cause severe fractures, head injuries, or permanent disability.
- Workplace accidents: Injuries can occur at construction sites, industrial facilities, and other high-risk workplaces if safety protocols are ignored.
- Defective products: Faulty machinery, medical devices, or consumer products can cause life-altering injuries.
- Medical malpractice: Surgical errors, misdiagnoses, or medication mistakes can result in long-term disability or organ damage.
Potential Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries
If you sustained a catastrophic injury, a lawyer can help you pursue compensation for damages such as:
- Medical expenses: You can recover compensation for surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, medications, and ongoing care.
- Lost income: You can claim wages you lost due to your injury, as well as future earning capacity if you can no longer perform your previous job.
- Pain and suffering: You can receive compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Long-term care: You can seek compensation for in-home caregivers, assisted living, or specialized medical equipment.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Catastrophic Injury?
Catastrophic injuries often result from negligence or recklessness. Identifying who is legally responsible is crucial to recovering compensation. Parties that can be held liable include:
- Individuals: Drivers, property owners, or others whose negligent actions caused your injury may be personally responsible.
- Employers: If your injury occurred at work due to unsafe conditions, your employer or a third-party contractor could be liable.
- Manufacturers: Defective products or equipment can lead to catastrophic injuries, and manufacturers may be held accountable.
- Government entities: Public agencies may be responsible if hazardous conditions on roads or public property contributed to your accident.
- Medical professionals: Catastrophic injuries can result from surgical errors or medical malpractice, making healthcare providers liable.
Determining liability often requires a detailed investigation. Your lawyer will identify all possible defendants and work to hold them financially accountable.
Steps to Take After a Catastrophic Injury
After a severe injury, taking the right steps can improve your odds of a successful claim. Here’s what to do:
- Seek immediate medical attention: Your health is the top priority. In addition, proper documentation of injuries will be essential to your case.
- Document the accident: Take photos, gather witness information, and keep detailed notes about what happened.
- Avoid discussing the case publicly: Do not post on social media or provide statements to insurance companies without your lawyer present.
- Preserve evidence: Keep medical records and any other documents related to the accident.
- Contact a catastrophic injury lawyer: The sooner you involve an attorney, the faster they can investigate the incident, gather evidence, and help you put together a claim.
Contact a Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Aurora
A catastrophic injury can turn your life upside down, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. An Aurora catastrophic injury attorney from Therman Law can help gather evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, and pursue compensation that covers both your immediate and long-term needs.
Schedule a free consultation to take the first step toward justice.
