Charlotte Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Charlotte, NC Catastrophic Injury Attorney

Being involved in a car accident or any other type of accident can be scary, and sometimes it is also catastrophic and life-threatening. Although many people are fortunate enough to get out of an accident with a few bumps and bruises, others are left with injuries that leave them changed forever. When this happens, a Charlotte catastrophic injury lawyer can help.

It is important that you act quickly to hire legal counsel from a caring Charlotte personal injury lawyer. If you were left permanently disabled because of another party’s negligence, they should be held responsible.

Our attorneys at Elam & Rousseaux, PLLC, have more than 90 years of combined experience, and we are committed to providing quality representation.

What Are Catastrophic Injuries And Accidents?

A catastrophic accident is one that leaves you with life-altering injuries. This type of injury is one that completely changes your lifestyle and your ability to work or continue your chosen profession, and sometimes it can also be one from which you will never recover. These are very common in automobile accidents but can also occur as results of workplace accidents, construction accidents and a variety of other circumstances.

A few common examples of catastrophic injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Brain and neck injury
• Burns
• Paralysis
• Quadriplegia
• Paraplegia
• Organ damage

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries have many different causes. They do not just happen on the road. Some common causes of catastrophic injuries include:

• Motor Accidents: This is one of the most well-known causes of catastrophic accidents. Motor accidents include car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and even bike and pedestrian accidents.
• Workplace Accidents: Workplace accidents are also common causes of catastrophic injuries. For example, falls are common workplace accidents in the construction industry. Unfortunately, a good portion of them are avoidable. If the fall was a result of company error or negligence (such as a slippery surface or a faulty ladder), the injured worker may be able to file a claim.
• Sports Injury: Sports always carry the risk of energy, especially in sports that require a lot of contact with others. Examples of sports injuries include skull fractures or sudden cardiac arrest that results in permanent or long-term disability.
• Medical Malpractice and Birth Injuries: Sometimes, injuries happen in the hospital that are due to the negligence of a medical professional. If a person goes to the hospital for extensive care, such as surgery, there will always be some type of risk involved.
  However, it is considered medical malpractice if the injury results in a medical professional’s negligence. If the negligence results in a permanent injury, the patient may be able to file a claim. An example would be if a doctor gives incorrect anesthesia or medication, and it results in organ damage or paralysis in the patient. This also covers birth injuries that could occur in both the mother and the baby.

With this in mind, a catastrophic injury can be caused by a number of people in Charlotte, NC. This could be your employer, your doctor, a nurse, a coach, or another driver. You may be entitled to a claim if the act was caused by negligence, defective products/manufacturer, or intentional acts.

Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries

If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury, you may be able to receive financial compensation for damages incurred due to the injury. Compensation typically covers both economic and non-economic damages like medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages, loss of future earnings, physical therapy, prescription/medication, PTSD, mental suffering, and loss of quality of life.

Catastrophic injuries are considered a type of personal injury. In personal injury cases, there are numerous factors that go into the amount of compensation a person will be awarded. Typically speaking, the more severe a person’s injuries are, the more likely they will be awarded.

However, when it comes to compensation, the person filing the claim must prove the accident occurred due to negligence, and they must show proof of many of the things they are claiming. For instance, they must show their medical bills if they want to be compensated for them. Noneconomic damages tend to be tougher to prove, so your legal team will have to show that the injury has caused the suffering that is outlined in the claim.

Medical and economic professionals will be key in making statements in these kinds of cases, as both sides must have a clear understanding of the effects of the accident. For example, a medical examiner can give a knowledgeable insight into the extent to which a person’s injuries will take for recovery. Sometimes, it may seem like an injury will be lifelong, but a medical professional can declare, through their own judgment, if the injury will instead just require a lengthy recovery process.

Do I Need a Lawyer?

Suffering a catastrophic injury can drastically, and sometimes permanently, change a person’s life, as well as their loved ones. It can hinder you from doing the same things you were able to do before, but it can also leave you needing extensive medical care, which can become costly.

Having an attorney on your side can help you seek compensation to alleviate the medical costs associated with such a devastating injury. In addition, an attorney who knows the law can inform you of your rights and other forms of compensation that you may be entitled to, such as pain and suffering. A lawyer will calculate the amount you can file based on your case. They can also investigate your case thoroughly while you focus on recovery.

FAQs About Charlotte, NC Catastrophic Injury Laws

What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury?

An event that causes a life-changing injury that will change a person’s ability to work, live, and generally enjoy life as before qualifies as a catastrophic injury. Typically, the event causes a person to lose functionality in one of their body parts. The injury will likely require surgery, in addition to other forms of care, such as physical therapy. Most catastrophic injuries fall into these main categories: spinal cord injuries, physical injuries, and cognitive injuries.

What Is a Typical Contingency Payment for Attorneys in Accidents That Involve Damages?

A typical contingency payment for attorneys in accidents that involve damages is 33% or ⅓ of your awarded compensation. This option is in place for those who are in need of representation but may not have the financial means to pay for an attorney upfront. With contingency payment agreements, the attorney usually does not charge anything upfront, with their only fee being the percentage of awarded damages.

How Do You Deal with a Personal Injury Claim?

When dealing with a personal injury claim, first, you will want to seek medical attention. Then, you will want to contact an attorney. They will give you all the information you need, as well as any requirements and necessary documentation that you will need to file the claim and make the case. You will want to gather all evidence surrounding the injury. This could be police reports, eyewitness testimony, and medical information.

What Are the Most Common Catastrophic Injuries?

The most common types of catastrophic injuries are physical injuries, which commonly include burns and amputations; cognitive injuries, which center around brain damage and include the loss of ability to speak and affect the brain’s memory; and spinal injuries, which affect a person’s mobility. Sometimes, spinal injuries can result in permanent paralysis.

Dedicated Legal Representation In Charlotte, NC

If you or a family member or loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries in an accident, you should hire a Charlotte personal injury lawyer right away. Every situation is different, and our compassionate and experienced attorneys have the resources and knowledge to build a strong case on your behalf. We have successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients over the years.