Rancho Santa Margarita Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Rancho Santa Margarita Catastrophic Injury Attorney

A catastrophic injury typically ends in life-altering results. If you or a family member is a victim of a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s actions, you might be able to recover financial damages. A Rancho Santa Margarita catastrophic injury lawyer can help you navigate this type of complex injury, address any legal questions you have, work to build a strong personal injury case, and pursue the financial support you’re due.

Understanding What ‘Catastrophic Injury’ Means in California

In California, a ‘catastrophic injury’ is an injury that significantly disrupts or permanently impairs someone’s life. They typically require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and long-lasting care to help with their catastrophic injuries.

Some more common California catastrophic injuries are the following:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain injuries
• Serious burns
• Amputations
• Cognitive injuries that affect the victim’s work capabilities, ability to communicate, or ability to form memories
• Severe tissue damage
• Any injuries that result in a wrongful death

Catastrophic injuries can impact both the physical well-being of the victim and their mental health. They may notice significant changes to their ability to work, their family life, and the trajectory of their future.

More Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

In California, serious catastrophic injuries occur due to different types of accidents, including:

• Car or other vehicle accidents, especially those involving high-impact crashes
• Commercial vehicle and truck accidents, as these collisions often result in serious physical and property damage
• Motorcycle accidents, as the drivers of a motorcycle often face a higher vulnerability on the road, and their protective gear doesn’t always stop serious harm from occurring while on freeways
• Accidents in the workplace, because many workers in high-risk jobs often face hazards that could result in catastrophic injuries (like dangerous substances, equipment malfunction, or substantial falls)
• Accidents involving premises liability, such as when a property owner doesn’t maintain a safe property for visitors that result in severe accidents like falls and slips
• Medical malpractice, when mistakes and negligence in medical care lead to serious issues, such as a surgical error or a missed diagnosis
• Product defects, because dangerous products can malfunction and cause serious injuries with items like electronics or auto components for a vehicle

An attorney can help investigate your factual circumstances and hold negligent parties accountable for contributing to your accident. If you believe you’ve experienced a catastrophic injury, an attorney can further discuss your legal options and financial recovery.

Many Types of Compensation Are Available for Catastrophic Injury Claims

After a catastrophic injury, victims are often left with severe financial burdens. They may face ongoing medical care needs, an inability to earn a living, and mounting medical bills. In this type of case where someone is responsible for causing the incident, victims are typically entitled to compensation for many types of damages, such as recovery for:

• Medical expenses for past, current, and future medical care related to the catastrophic injury, which may include treatment, rehab, and assistive devices as necessary
• Potential loss of future earning capacity and lost wages since many people are unable to return to their jobs, either for a period of time or permanently
• Pain and suffering as non-economic damages that are subjective and provide for mental anguish and demonstrable physical pain
• Adaptive medical equipment and home accommodations/modifications that can help accommodate a disability following a catastrophic injury
• Other damages that can be addressed with a knowledgeable attorney, such as punitive damages (a penalty payment designed to punish someone’s action and prevent a similar accident from occurring again)

Of note, in the unfortunate California circumstances where a victim’s catastrophic injury leads to their untimely death, their family can elect to pursue compensation for their loss with a wrongful death claim.

The legal team at Corrales Law Group can evaluate your specific case and catastrophic injuries. They are then able to provide advice regarding the full extent of financial compensation you might be entitled to, based on your individual injuries and the extent of your damages.

FAQs About Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Catastrophic Injury Laws

What Can I Recover for a Catastrophic Injury Case in Rancho Santa Margarita?

In a catastrophic injury case in Rancho Santa Margarita, you can typically recover financially for different types of damages such as:

• Medical care expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Reduced earning capacity
• Demonstrable emotional distress
• Costs for future care

An attorney can help you recover financially after a serious injury. Since they’re complex cases, it’s important to consult an attorney with experience resolving catastrophic injury cases.

Is PTSD a Catastrophic Injury?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is usually considered a catastrophic injury for personal injury law purposes, especially when serious physical trauma results in long-term mental impairment that requires treatment and impacts someone’s daily activities. PTSD can be part of the full picture of a catastrophic injury, and an attorney can address the types of financial recovery available for someone dealing with PTSD that stems from a major physical injury.

What Impacts My Settlement Recovery Amount?

The settlement recovery amount for a California catastrophic injury is impacted by the following:

• Injury severity
• Amount of medical treatment necessary
• Any future medical costs
• Lost wages or salary
• Demonstrable pain and suffering
• General impact the accident had on your quality of life

An attorney can discuss any additional factors that might impact your recovery amount for a catastrophic injury case.

What Is the Average Personal Injury Settlement in California?

In California, personal injury settlements vary significantly, depending on the type of accident involved, the injury severity, and other facts specific to the individual case. More severe injuries and higher medical treatment typically result in higher settlement amounts. An attorney with experience handling California personal injury cases like yours can discuss the details of your case and estimate what you might expect to recover in your specific case.

Consult An Experienced Attorney for Your California Catastrophic Injury Case

Catastrophic injuries can result in immense emotional, physical, and financial strain. When dealing with such complex injuries, it’s vital to have substantial support from an experienced legal team.

When you need a Rancho Santa Margarita catastrophic injury lawyer, Corrales Law Group can help with your recovery and answer any questions you might have. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and protect your future.