Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Arlington, VA
Our catastrophic injury lawyer Arlington, VA trusts from The Law Offices of Ryan Quinn, PLLC knows that most people are not expecting to be the victim in a catastrophic injury accident. We all know that car accidents are common or slip and fall accidents are common, but most people would expect to walk away with minor injuries they can quickly recover from. However, even if you are in something as seemingly simple as a car accident, you can still suffer from catastrophic injuries. If you would like to learn more about how our law firm can help you when you are suffering from these injuries, call our office now.
What does it mean to suffer from a catastrophic injury?
When you suffer from a catastrophic injury, you likely are not going to feel fully recovered any time soon. Catastrophic injuries can leave you permanently disabled without any hope of returning to your normal way of living. This means you may need help getting out of bed, using the restroom, and may not be able to return to work. Our Arlington, Virginia catastrophic injury lawyer knows that this can be incredibly difficult to live with for the rest of your life. Common examples of catastrophic injuries are:
- Traumatic brain injuries,
- Spinal injuries,
- Amputations, and
- Burns
These injuries can happen as a result of defective products, medical malpractice, car accidents, and even accidents at work. The sooner you contact an attorney regarding your injuries, the sooner your attorney can work to get you compensation.
When will I know how much my claim is valued at?
While we cannot guarantee you any number until we reach a settlement or go to court, catastrophic injury claims usually come with substantial compensation due to the nature of the injuries. Because you may not be able to return to work and you may have a harder time living life, you could be looking at compensation for things like pain and suffering, lost future wages, and medical bills. Many people who suffer from catastrophic injuries must get one or more surgeries as well.
Physical Consequences of a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can be devastating. Rarely can a patient fully recover from a severed spinal cord, and at this time, there is no cure for a fully severed spinal cord between the brain and body. Depending on the severity of the damage, the victim might suffer from:
- Loss of movement or sensation
- Paralysis of the lower limbs
- Paralysis of all limbs
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Difficulty speaking
Physical Consequences of a Burn Injury
Third and fourth degree burns can pose a very challenging and long recovery period. Treating these burns is often very painful. Many victims will be left with permanent nerve damage, disfigurement, loss of range of motion, scarring, inability to sweat, and chronic pain. Multiple operations, skin grafts, physical therapy, and medication may be required for several months, years, or the rest of the victims’ life.
Physical Consequences of a Brain Injury
As a catastrophic brain injury lawyer in Arlington, VA might tell you, traumatic brain injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. It contributes to nearly 30 percent of all injury-related deaths in the country. Many are the result of negligence and involve vehicular accidents, workplace accidents, construction accidents, falls, and more. A TBI can leave lasting effects on the life of a victim. Depending on the circumstances, a TBI might lead to:
- Cognitive impairments
- Speech problems
- Sensory abnormalities
- + More
When blunt force trauma to the head occurs, the victim may need intensive treatments and invasive surgeries. These are high risk treatments that could result in a:
- Bone infection
- Nerve damage
- Bleeding on the brain
The Psychological Repercussions of a Catastrophic Injury
Physical harm is not the only damage a TBI can do. Our Arlington, VA catastrophic injury lawyers know of many clients who also suffered from psychological repercussions, including:
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Irritability
- Depression
- PTSD
- Insomnia
- Inability to focus
- Withdrawal or isolation
Psychiatric disorders are frequent after a person suffers a catastrophic brain injury. When negligence is a factor, a lawyer should review the full extent of damage to determine whether it will be included in your claim.
The Financial Impact of a Catastrophic Injury
According to Johns Hopkins University, the annual cost of chronic pain is as much as $635 billion per year. This is beyond the costs for cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. The financial impact of catastrophic injuries is often significant. Immediate needs, notwithstanding any prospective or long-term expenses include:
- Medical care, including surgery
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- Mobility equipment
- Adaptive equipment
- Home or vehicle modifications
- Prosthetics
The Importance of a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Arlington, Virginia
Ideally, a catastrophic injury claim will cover the losses that were a result of the accident. To recover these damages, an investigation will need to take place. These cases can be rife with challenges and involve many complications. Having a lawyer on your side is recommended.
No one expects to be in this situation. Catastrophic injuries can overwhelm a person, their loved ones, and even the strongest support system. If you are dealing with this situation, you should call a catastrophic injury lawyer in Arlington, VA as soon as possible.
Why You Need To Hire an Attorney To Manage Your Personal Injury Claim
When someone’s negligence causes your injury, you might neglect your rights while focusing on your recovery. Perhaps you feel that your injuries are not severe and don’t realize their future ramifications. Contacting a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident can help you recognize and obtain the damages you deserve.
An Attorney Can Help You Obtain Necessary Documentation
The adjuster working for the other party’s insurance carrier will want to review various documents before offering you a settlement. Contacting a personal injury attorney as soon as possible can help you understand what kinds of records you will need and prevent you from having to backtrack to acquire them. The documents an insurance company requires may include:
- Hospital invoices
- Doctors’ statements
- Ambulance receipts
- Police reports
- Witness statements
An Attorney Can Help You Negotiate Your Settlement
Adjusters working for insurance companies will typically make the lowest possible offer to claimants. People who are inexperienced in negotiating with adjusters may not know that they can refuse a settlement offer until they receive one that they consider fair. Allowing a personal injury attorney to handle all communication with an insurance provider can also prevent you from inadvertently saying something that might negatively impact your case.
An Attorney Can Keep The Claim Process Moving
Insurance adjusters use many tactics to avoid processing claims and making settlements. These include:
- Infrequent communication
- Delays sending payment
- Avoiding inquiries
- Asking for duplicate paperwork
Personal injury attorneys are familiar with all the ways insurance adjusters avoid paying claims. Relying on an attorney to handle all communication with an adjuster can ensure that your case does not stall unnecessarily and that you have someone on hand to advocate on your behalf.
An Attorney Can Reverse a Claim Denial
Failing to establish liability to an insurance company’s satisfaction could be a reason it denies your claim. A personal injury attorney can rely on many resources to help prove liability and may even discover that multiple parties are at fault for your injury.
An Attorney Can Value Your Case Realistically
Personal injury attorneys have considerable experience understanding all the variables that could determine the value of a case. They can advise you about your case’s strength and offer you a realistic expectation of the damages you can expect to receive.
If you experience a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence, contact a personal injury attorney to handle your settlement so that you can focus on healing.
When you want to make sure you are doing everything you can to get the most out of your claim, you will want to hire an attorney who understands the severity of catastrophic injuries and how they can impact your life. If you would like to learn more about catastrophic injury claims, reach out to our reliable Arlington, VA catastrophic injury lawyer now.