Pinellas County Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
It only takes a moment to happen, but suffering from a catastrophic injury can lead to lifelong struggle and long-term disability. Catastrophic injuries are permanent, disabling, or disfiguring injuries that can require prolonged and difficult medical treatment.
Many individuals who have suffered a catastrophic injury are legally entitled to recover significant amounts of money in order to cover medical treatment or lost wages. It is also possible to obtain compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the injury.
As there are legal time limits associated with bringing a personal injury lawsuit, it is best to contact a Pinellas County catastrophic injury lawyer as soon as you are able. An experienced injury lawyer will be your best asset moving forward.
Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries
There are some common injuries that tend to be catastrophic and for which a victim can seek significant compensation in court. Examples of these injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Burns and scarring
- Trauma to the spinal cord
- Paralysis
- Injury requiring amputation
Any of these injuries can be devastating— both physically and emotionally—to a victim and their family. A successful personal injury claim can result in compensation for past as well as anticipated medical expenses; physical or emotional pain and suffering; loss of past and future income; and diminished earning capacity.
A Pinellas County catastrophic injury lawyer can try to help an individual maximize their chance of financial recovery.
Common Defenses to Catastrophic Injury Lawsuits
Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means that in personal injury law, both the plaintiff and the defendant are assigned a proportion of fault for the accident. While a plaintiff who is partially at fault for an accident may still recover financial compensation, the recovery will be diminished proportionately.
For example, a plaintiff may be found to be 25 percent at fault during a car accident with the defendant, who is found to be 75 percent at fault. If plaintiff’s damages total $100,000, they will collect $75,000. Thus, a defendant may attempt to prove a high percentage of fault on the part of the plaintiff in order to avoid significant financial liability. This is why it is important to have a strong and experienced catastrophic injury lawyer in Pinellas County.
Another defense available to the defendant is to argue that the plaintiff’s injuries were not caused by the accident. One way to do this is to claim the plaintiff had a pre-existing injury at the time of the accident.
Fortunately for plaintiffs, a pre-existing injury is not a bar to recovery if the injury was aggravated or exacerbated by the accident.
Contact a Pinellas County Catastrophic Injury Attorney
If you or someone you love has experienced a catastrophic injury due to an accident or someone’s wrongful act, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Nothing can undo your injury, but obtaining financial compensation to help you and your family can make a very big difference in your lives, and ease at least some of your burden.
A good lawyer will strike the right balance: compassion for you and your family as well as an aggressive tenacity in the fight for justice. If you would like to learn more about how a Pinellas County catastrophic injury lawyer can help you, contact today.