Personal injuries are an unfortunate fact of life. Everyone, at some point in their lives, will be injured due to their own or another party’s carelessness, but most of these are thankfully not severe. By contrast, a catastrophic personal injury isn’t one the injured person simply walks away from with no damage. In these cases, a person’s life is irrevocably altered. Some of the things one may expect with a catastrophic injury are a changed and usually diminished quality of life, the need to consider a new means of making of a living, or even loss of life or limb.
A catastrophe is defined as an event or accident that leads directly to great, usually immediate, suffering. The loss of a loved one or having to have one’s arm amputated would be considered a catastrophic injury, as would an accident or mishap resulting in a person who is confined to a wheelchair due to a spinal injury. Tragically, these types of events happen daily, and the victims often did nothing wrong. Being rear-ended by a careless driver, suffering an occupational injury because of improper maintenance or safety practices, or even losing one’s life are all-too-frequent occurrences.
After an accident, a great deal of paperwork is generated as various parties try to determine who was at fault, why, and what the short-term and long-term damage is likely to be. In these cases, insurance adjustors will typically be involved. It is important to remember, if you’ve been injured because of someone else’s carelessness or negligence, that the insurance adjustor is not on your side. They want you to settle your case as quickly and for as little as they can possibly manage. They may rely on veiled threats, an “I’m your friend” approach, or pretend your injury or loss is not as severe as it really is. While the amount an adjustor may offer seems attractive in the short term, it may prove to be as little as ten to fifteen percent of what your claim could have been worth. Sadly, once you settle, the case is closed and the insurance company is considered to have no further obligation.
Retaining a qualified attorney as quickly as possible after an accident resulting in catastrophic damage is the first and most important step in making sure your rights are safeguarded through every phase of the injury, recuperation, and remuneration. Your attorney’s job is to ensure you are compensated fairly for your pain, suffering, loss of lifestyle, and medical expenses. They can help you navigate the convoluted and often frustrating red tape that surrounds catastrophic injuries and help you get the care you need to take back as much of your life as you possibly can.
Accidents are an unfortunate reality of our modern world, but suffering a catastrophic injury doesn’t have to mean losing everything you worked so hard for. If you or a loved one has suffered a life-altering or life-ending accident, contact a personal injury attorney right away and protect your rights.
