Philadelphia Catastrophic Injury Lawyers
Philadelphia’s urban environment serves as a beacon to residents and tourists, but it also helps create situations that could pose dangers to them, whether through industrial work sites or busy city streets. Understanding the circumstances surrounding a serious accident often requires professional insight from an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help injury victims pursue compensation after they are injured due to the negligence of others.
An experienced Philadelphia catastrophic injury lawyer from Cousin Benny Personal Injury can investigate the accident, preserve valuable evidence, and fight for the compensation you will need to make it through the next chapter of your life. Your personal injury lawyer can act swiftly and take prompt legal action to protect your legal rights. Contact us today for a free case review.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
There is no universal definition of a catastrophic injury. However, many sources emphasize the permanent or long-lasting nature of the injury and its severe effect on the victim. The National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research defines catastrophic injuries as “fatalities, injuries that result in permanent functional disability and serious injuries that result in temporary functional disability with full recovery. Examples include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain bleeds
- Skull fractures
- Heat stroke
- Sudden cardiac arrest
- Internal organ injuries
- Exertional sickling
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Commotio cordis”
Serious accidents that result in catastrophic injuries can occur in the workplace, on the road, or on other people’s property.
Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries can take many forms, including:
- Birth injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations
- Organ damage
- Severe burns and scarring
- Spinal cord injuries
- Loss of vision or hearing
If you or a loved one suffered any of these injuries in an accident caused by someone else, contact our personal injury law firm for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries can occur in various scenarios. Philadelphia’s urban environment makes it ripe for serious accidents that can result in life-changing injuries, such as:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Other traffic crashes
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and fall incidents
- Recreational or sports accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Medical malpractice
- Vacuum and forceps errors
- Construction accidents
- Premises liability accidents
- Work injuries
- Defective products
- Nursing home abuse
- Dog bites
Each of the above types of personal injury accidents requires a unique knowledge of the various laws and regulations that affect that type of case. For example, motor vehicle accidents in Pennsylvania may be covered under full tort or limited tort laws, so you need a lawyer who is knowledgeable about this aspect of your case.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help After a Catastrophic Injury?
Legal counsel is crucial in catastrophic injury cases because they are complex and often involve significant damages. These complicated cases may require navigating intricate tort laws, including those involving negligence and damages.
Insurance companies often attempt to deny liability in these cases or minimize payouts, as they are aware of the high value of catastrophic injury claims. Your personal injury attorney is your legal advocate who will strive to secure maximum compensation for your claim. They can help throughout the personal injury filing process by:
- Explaining the law to you and how it applies to your case
- Answering any questions that arise during the legal process
- Investigating the accident and reviewing available evidence, such as police reports, photos, surveillance video, and medical records
- Visiting the construction site accident scene or the scene of an automobile accident to gather additional evidence
- Reviewing insurance policy information
- Communicating with insurance companies on your behalf
- Compiling evidence to establish fault and the full extent of your damages
Why Should I Choose Cousin Benny Personal Injury to Handle My Case?
Choosing the right lawyer for a catastrophic injury case is crucial. So much is on the line. You will need to secure significant compensation that properly reflects the damages you and your family have incurred due to the negligence of another party.
You should look for a law firm with a proven track record of success in these types of cases and who have a strong understanding of Pennsylvania’s legal system.
The trial lawyers at Cousin Benny Personal Injury represent individuals in product liability cases, motor vehicle accidents, and other personal injury incidents. We have a history of securing maximum compensation and several multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. We do not settle cases for less than they are worth and ensure that any award ensures you are compensated for your pain and suffering.
Most importantly, our lawyers provide personalized attention to every client. We give you the respect and dignity that you deserve and treat all clients like family. Coupled with this is our clear and regular communication we offer to clients, so they never have to worry about where their case stands.
Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay anything up front to retain our legal services. Instead, we get paid as a percentage of the financial recovery we make on your behalf. A Philadelphia personal injury lawyer from our law firm can review your case for free and explain your legal options to you.
Long-Term Complications Associated with Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries can have profound effects on injury victims. Long-term complications can include:
- Loss of mobility
- Reductions in cognitive function
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
- Loss of sexual function
- Permanent disability
- Permanent impairments
- Psychological distress
You may face substantial financial hardship due to ongoing medical treatments, in-home care, rehabilitation, and nursing assistance. You may also have to rely on your loved ones for your basic care needs, which can alter your relationships with them and cause an altered lifestyle.
You can address these challenges by taking legal action against the party or parties responsible for your injuries.
Compensation You Can Recover After a Catastrophic Injury
Catastrophic injuries can affect every aspect of your life. They can cause mobility issues, cognitive impairment, and physical and emotional impacts that drastically decreased your quality of life. You may also be dealing with chronic pain and may be struggling to deal with the trauma of the accident.
Through a personal injury lawsuit, you can demand compensation for all of your accident-related injuries and losses, such as:
- Medical bills, ongoing medical treatment, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced or lost earning capacity if you are unable to return to work or must minimize your working activity to protect your health
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages, if the defendant’s actions were malicious, willful, reckless, demonstrating a wanton disregard for the safety of others, or were fueled by an evil motive
Cousin Benny Personal Injury’s focused attention and knowledge of catastrophic injuries are valuable in achieving favorable outcomes for injured parties that accurately reflect the serious nature of the injuries they suffered. We know that serious injuries can affect your life for years to come, and we want to ensure you have the resources you need during this time.
Call us today
How Does My Own Negligence Affect My Compensation?
Under Pennsylvania’s law on modified comparative negligence, if an accident victim contributed to the accident, their damages are reduced by the degree of fault attributed to them. For example, if you were 20% responsible for the accident, your damages would be reduced proportionately by 20%. If your fault was greater than the defendant’s fault, you cannot recover any compensation.
Who Is Responsible for My Damages?
The party that is responsible for paying for your damages will depend on the specifics of the case. For example, if a landlord’s negligence in not removing snow and ice led to a slip & fall accident, the landlord might be responsible for paying for your damages.
Oil and natural gas companies could be responsible for fires and explosions when they are negligent. Trucking companies can be responsible for truck accidents their drivers cause. Medical professionals can be held liable in birth injury lawsuits and complex medical malpractice cases.
An experienced attorney can investigate your case to determine who is responsible for your injuries. They can gather evidence such as photos and videos of the accident, medical reports, accident reports, and witness statements to help establish the defendant’s fault.
What Is the Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Pennsylvania
The statute of limitations to file most personal injury lawsuits in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of the accident. If you don’t file your case within this limited time period, you can forfeit your right to recover compensation through the Pennsylvania civil courts. Protect your rights by reaching out to an experienced personal injury attorney today.
Contact Us Today to Discuss Your Case in a Confidential Consultation
If you were injured in a car accident, slip and fall accident, or other type of personal injury incident and suffered a catastrophic injury, you do not have to deal with the legal process alone. An experienced attorney from Cousin Benny Personal Injury can help build a tailored legal strategy to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.