Colton Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Colton Catastrophic Injury Attorney

Dealing with a catastrophic injury can be one of the most difficult things you have to do in your life. Apart from the lasting physical trauma, the mental and emotional trauma you can receive from such a debilitating injury can cause serious ongoing issues. If you ever suffer a catastrophic injury, you may want to consider seeking personal injury compensation from the responsible party. A Colton catastrophic injury lawyer can help you figure out a plan.

Dealing With a Catastrophic Injury

A catastrophic injury is generally any serious injury that results in permanent or long-term damage, whether it be physical damage or mental damage. A catastrophic injury can have a terrible effect on your quality of life, forcing you to adapt to a new normal that you never expected. The ongoing damage can be even more devastating, especially with the possibility that you may not fully heal from your injury.

These injuries almost always result in serious life alterations, permanent disabilities, brain damage, disfigurement, and other cognitive impairments. Catastrophic injuries are difficult and sometimes impossible to heal from, and while you may heal partially, a full recovery is all but improbable. Instead, you may want to consider taking legal action against the party who caused your injury and resulting damages. This may provide you with some semblance of closure.

In order to move forward with a legal case against the right people, you will need to prove that negligence was a factor in your case. Proving negligence is not always an easy task, and it can be even harder in a catastrophic injury case since the stakes are so high for both parties. To prove negligence, you will need to establish the following elements in your case:

• You were owed a certain duty of care by the defendant in question.
• The defendant breached that duty of care through their negligent behavior.
• That breach caused your catastrophic injury.
• Due to your injury, you sustained damages in the form of medical costs and other expenses.

Statute of Limitations

When you decide that pursuing legal action against the negligent party in Colton is the route you would like to take, it is vital to your case that you adhere to the state of California’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including catastrophic injury cases. You will generally have two years to put together your claim, fully develop your case, gather the evidence you need, consult with a catastrophic injury lawyer, and file a claim for compensation.

If you cannot bring your claim within two years, there is a strong chance it will be completely dismissed, and you won’t be able to pursue compensation at all. It can take a lot of time to build a solid injury case, so you should start putting yours together as soon as you can. If you are worried your case isn’t strong enough, you can bring what you have to an injury lawyer and have it assessed.

Common Catastrophic Injuries

There are many types of catastrophic injuries one can sustain due to an accident or an intentional act. Recognizing a catastrophic injury can be good for your claim. Here are some of the more common ones that affect people every day:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Whenever you suffer a serious blow to the head, you run the risk of developing a traumatic brain injury (TBI). If left untreated, a TBI can quickly develop into a severe catastrophic injury that affects your entire body. A significantly hard hit in the head can cause your brain to rattle inside your skull, resulting in a potential concussion, among other brain injuries.
• Spinal Cord Trauma: An injury to the spinal cord has the potential to cause irreparable damage to your body. The spinal cord is responsible for sending signals from the brain to the rest of the body, as well as receiving signals. If the spinal cord is totally severed, that signal is lost forever, and you will likely be paralyzed below the injured area.

FAQs About Colton, CA Catastrophic Injury Laws

What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Catastrophic Injury?

The long-term effects of a catastrophic injury largely depend on the injury sustained. Every type of catastrophic injury has different symptoms; some are short-term, while others may last the rest of your life. Generally, the most common long-term effects of a catastrophic injury are a permanent loss of some bodily function, an inability to maintain gainful employment, and ongoing medical care needs.

How Do You Treat a Catastrophic Injury?

The way you treat a catastrophic injury depends entirely on the type of injury you have sustained. All catastrophic injuries are going to require immediate medical attention and a comprehensive treatment plan from your doctor that must be followed. You will likely require medication and ongoing medical care for years to come. Healing may be a long process, but a full recovery may be unlikely.

What Is Catastrophic Coverage?

Catastrophic coverage is a type of health insurance coverage that helps you pay for sudden, unexpected medical costs related to an unexpected injury you may have suffered. It helps you cover exorbitant medical bills you otherwise might not be able to handle on your own. It can also help you with some medical essentials, such as vaccinations and birth control.

What Are Punitive Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Case in California?

Punitive damages in a catastrophic injury case in California are sometimes awarded to the plaintiff in cases where it is clear that the defendant acted out of extreme malice and should be further punished for their actions. In these cases, a court may award the plaintiff punitive damages to deter similar behavior in the future and make it clear that the defendant’s actions were abhorrent.

Reach Out to an Injury Lawyer Today

The legal team at the Corrales Law Group understands the kind of legal assistance you will need in a catastrophic injury case. We can help you further develop your case, communicate with insurance companies, and keep you from being taken advantage of. Contact us to speak with a valued team member.