Average Catastrophic Injury Settlement in California (2024)

A catastrophic injury can severely impact your life and leave you with mounting medical bills and life-long consequences. If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to the fault of someone else, you might be entitled to significant financial recovery. The average catastrophic injury settlement in California depends on your specific injury claims and legal considerations, which can be discussed with a knowledgeable catastrophic injury attorney.

What Is a ‘Catastrophic Injury’ in California?

In California, a ‘catastrophic injury’ means an injury triggering permanent disability or disfigurement or a personal injury with life-altering consequences. Such injuries sometimes need large-scale medical treatment and may severely impact the quality of life of the catastrophic injury victim.

What Are Some Common Types of California Catastrophic Injuries?

In California, common catastrophic injuries include the following:

• Cognitive injuries involving brain damage affecting the ability to work, communicate, or form memories
• Spinal cord injuries
• Serious physical injuries like amputation, tissue damage, burns

If you believe you’ve experienced any life-altering severe injury, consult with an attorney to discuss your legal options.

What Impact Can a Catastrophic Injury Have?

A catastrophic injury can significantly impact someone’s life in many ways, including:

• Causing a permanent disability
• Affecting someone’s ability to work
• Causing necessary medical care and help for the remainder of their life
• Producing a need for prosthetics or devices to assist with daily living
• Triggering sensory loss
• Causing scarring or severe deformities
• Bringing about other serious changes in their life

There are other ways an injury may have impacted your life, and you might be entitled to recover financially for your catastrophic injury claims.

What Is the Average Settlement Amount for Catastrophic Injury Claims in California?

Each catastrophic injury claim is unique, and settlements vary depending on the injury severity, medical costs, and other important factors. Particularly serious cases, such as those involving spinal cord injuries, likely result in higher settlement recovery in California.

The details of each case typically impact the recovery amount.  It’s important to seek advice from a local personal injury attorney who can help make sure you get just compensation if you or a loved one has experienced a catastrophic injury.

What Can I Recover for My Catastrophic Injury Claim?

A knowledgeable attorney can help recover:

• Your medical expenses – for past, current, and future medical bills required due to your injury, plus any emergency care you required or occupational or physical therapy or medical expenses like a wheelchair or house accommodations you require
• Your lost wages or salary – for past and future income affected by your work capabilities and your diminished capacity for earnings
• Pain and suffering – an attorney can demand compensation for any physical and emotional distress your injuries caused, including compensation for any mental or emotional distress you experienced
• Other recovery you can additionally discuss with an attorney

Why Should I Hire an Attorney for My Catastrophic Injury Claim?

A catastrophic personal injury claim can be complicated and might feel challenging. An attorney with experience handling cases just like yours can significantly and positively impact the amount of recovery you can expect. A skilled attorney can help:

• Negotiate with insurance companies
• Gather important relevant evidence
• If necessary, represent you at appearances in court
• Include every relevant cost you are entitled to be compensated for
• Increase your opportunity to get full and fair compensation
• Provide necessary legal help throughout the case and answer questions you might have

Regardless of the amount you think you deserve through either a settlement or a California trial, an experienced attorney can help recover much more legal compensation than if you tried to navigate the personal injury process alone.

FAQs

What Amount Should I Consider a ‘Good Settlement’ Amount for a Catastrophic Injury in California?

Each catastrophic injury case is unique, so a settlement amount typically depends upon the details of your individual circumstances. In California, your recovery depends on the severity of your injury, the amount of medical expenses, wage claims, pain and suffering experienced, and other factors.

Since a catastrophic injury case is complex, it’s important to seek advice from a personal injury lawyer who can properly assess your injuries and demand fair compensation for your injuries.

How Much Can I Get for Pain and Suffering from a Catastrophic Injury in California?

In California, a catastrophic injury claim could result in financial recovery. Recoverable damages depend on the severity of your injury, the impact the incident had on your life, and other case specifics. If your injury involves permanent disabilities, severe emotional distress, or complex surgeries, your recovery for pain and suffering often reaches a higher range.

Pain and suffering recovery is subjective, and a qualified attorney can help determine an estimate of your potential claim value.

Should I Negotiate My Own Personal Injury Settlement in California?

In California, it’s technically possible to negotiate your own personal injury settlement; however, it’s usually not recommended.

For most cases, especially those involving complicated legal issues or catastrophic injuries, it’s important to seek advice from a knowledgeable local attorney who can calculate your total damages and demand a higher recovery amount than you might pursue on your own. Also, if liability is an issue, a lawyer can help argue you weren’t responsible and build a strong case.

What Is the Average Settlement Amount for a Rear-End Collision with Catastrophic Injuries in California?

In California, for a rear-end collision with catastrophic injuries (like a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage), the amount of recoverable damages depends upon the specific details of the case, as well as the long-term impact on the accident victim’s life. Extraordinarily severe accidents typically result in higher settlement amounts. A skilled California personal injury can help estimate a final settlement amount, fully explain your rights, and help maximize your potential financial recovery.

Contact Our California Office Today

With a severe accident involving catastrophic injuries in California, you can ensure a greater recovery with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney by your side. At the Corrales Law Group, we can help you or a loved one with your personal injury claim. Contact our office right away to schedule an initial consultation to discuss how we can help you move forward with your life.