Suffering any personal injury is a serious matter that requires a person’s full attention. However, most people are still fortunate in that they will make a total or almost total recovery.
Sadly, some injuries are so serious that a person will carry them for the rest of their life. These are injuries that affect a person’s ability to work and enjoy life. They may also threaten a person’s vital bodily functions and require long-term medical treatment. These are catastrophic injuries.
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury because of the actions of another party, you have the right to seek out compensation. A Federal Way catastrophic injury lawyer could help you to understand your legal rights and pursue lawsuits and insurance claims that seek out fair payments for your losses.
What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?
There is no strict definition of a catastrophic injury. Even so, understanding this as a general concept can be useful in understanding how and why these injuries are so severe and the impact that they have on a person’s present and future.
A catastrophic injury is permanent. It is also one that significantly limits a person’s ability to live their lives as normal or carry on with their day-to-day activities. Common examples include:
- Brain damage
- Amputations or loss of limbs
- Organ failure
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Widespread, serious burns
- Paralysis
A claim for compensation after a catastrophic injury must examine the totality of the injury. This means that a demand for payments should include past costs as well as an estimation of the impact of the injury on a person’s future. For example, a claim may demand the payment of past medical bills as well as estimated lost earnings for the future. A Federal Way catastrophic injury attorney could help to evaluate the true value of a claim for damages.
Proving Fault for a Catastrophic Injury
There is no doubt that catastrophic injuries are serious matters. Thankfully, proving fault for an accident or an act of violence has nothing to do with how serious the resulting injuries are. The law states that parties who are at fault for an incident are liable to provide compensation no matter how severe the resulting injuries. As a result, proving liability for a catastrophic injury is the same as in any other personal injury case.
Unfortunately, this also means that the severity of an injury is no guarantee of success. Considering that a catastrophic injury can happen at almost any time and in any scenario, this can be especially daunting. Car accidents, slips and falls, defective products, and medical malpractice could all result in catastrophic losses.
Attorneys can also ensure that a case progresses on time. Under the Revised Code of Washington § 4.16.080, injured people have only three years from the date of injury to seek payment in court. Considering that these cases can be extremely complex, protecting your legal rights may require swift action.
Let a Federal Way Catastrophic Injury Attorney Take the Lead
It is an unfortunate fact that almost any of our daily activities can result in a catastrophic injury. Merely getting into one’s car to go to work or shopping for groceries exposes us to the negligence and carelessness of others. If those actions result in an injury, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses.
This especially applies in cases involving catastrophic injuries. These injuries are permanent and may impact your ability to live a healthy, safe, and enjoyable life. A Federal Way catastrophic injury lawyer may be able to help you to pursue the lawsuits and claims that seek fair payments. These include payments for medical bills, lost income, and reductions in your quality of life. Contact an attorney today for your free consultation.