Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in Chino Hills Obtaining Justice For Victims of Life-Altering Injuries
If a medical professional has informed you that you have catastrophic injuries, chances are that your life may never be the same again. It is likely that the effects of the substantial injuries that you have suffered will last throughout the rest of your life.
Our personal injury attorneys in Southern CA at The Paris Law Firm have a vast amount of experience in dealing with cases in which the injuries that the victim has suffered have been deemed to be catastrophic. In cases such as these, it is imperative that you seek legal representation as quickly as possible. Waiting could negatively affect your case and your ability to receive essential compensation for your injuries.
In an effort to get compensation for the necessary medical treatment that you will require, you need to speak with a qualified personal injury attorney. Our law offices in Chino Hills, CA, have skilled attorneys with the qualifications necessary to handle a case where the victim has sustained injuries that will alter the course of their lives.
What is California’s Legal Definition of “Catastrophic Injuries”?
Although there is no official legal definition in the State of California as to what catastrophic injuries entail, these types of injuries are considered to be permanent or long-term in nature. The pain involved with these injuries is severe and may involve the permanent loss of an organ or limb.
Some of the common types of injuries considered to be catastrophic in nature include the following:
- Loss of a limb
- Loss of use of a limb
- Loss of an organ
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Paralysis
- Severe or disfiguring burns
- An injury that results in deafness or blindness
Due to the permanent nature of these types of injuries, often, the only way to hold the responsible party accountable is to file a personal injury lawsuit. This may be the only recourse that you as a victim have in being able to ensure that you have the necessary financial means to pay for ongoing long-term care.
Who Can Be Held Liable For Catastrophic Injuries?
Under California law, you may be entitled to file suits against every individual who may be responsible for your injuries. Of course, in order to successfully accomplish this, you will need the help of a skilled attorney who understands the intricacies of catastrophic injury law.
For example, if you were injured due to the negligence of an employee at a business, you have the potential to file a lawsuit not only against the employee themselves but also against the owner of the business. The business owner can be held legally responsible for the acts that their employee committed that caused your injuries.
If you sustain catastrophic injuries due to a defective product, then you may be entitled to sue not only the manufacturer but also the distributor and the entity that sold the product.
The Paris Law Firm of Chino Hills, California, has personal injury attorneys who have extensive experience in dealing with cases in which the victim has sustained catastrophic injuries. We will thoroughly review your case and make a well-informed decision as to who needs to be held accountable for the harm that you have sustained.
Is There a Statute of Limitations on How Long I Have to File a Claim for my Injuries?
Typically, California law allows an individual up to two years from the date that the injury occurred to file a lawsuit. However, based on individual circumstances, there may be what are known as “exceptions” to the statute of limitations.
Delayed discovery: This rule applies if you did not immediately realize that you were injured or that your accident was caused by another individual’s negligence. In these types of scenarios, the statute of limitations begins when you first discover that you are injured or become aware of how the negligent actions affected you.
The defendant leaves the state: If the individual believed to be responsible for your injuries leaves the state of California, an extension is issued that temporarily puts the statute of limitations on hold. The hold is placed on the time limit because it is first necessary to serve the would-be defendant with legal paperwork in order for a lawsuit to proceed.
What Type of Compensation Can I Receive for my Catastrophic Injuries?
It should be noted that each personal injury claim involving catastrophic injuries is different due to the individual factors that are involved. Nevertheless, there are certain damages that you may be qualified to receive. They are as follows:
Economic Damages: These are damages that the court may award you for the money that you have had to spend due to being injured in an accident.
- Past and future medical bills and other associated costs: This includes hospital bills, prescription medications, physical or occupational therapy, and long-term care.
- Loss of past and future wages: This includes the money that you lost due to your injury and future earnings because of your inability to work.
- Loss of earning capacity This compensation allows for the fact that due to your catastrophic injury, you most likely may never be able to work again.
Non-economic damages: These types of damages are thought to be more subjective in nature.
- Mental suffering: Compensation for the mental trauma that you have had to endure as a result of your injuries.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Your inability to enjoy the activities that you participated in before the accident.
- Past and future pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and other physical sufferings that you have had to withstand due to your injuries.
If you have been seriously injured in an accident and have been told that you have catastrophic injuries, it is imperative that you speak with a qualified personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Do not leave your future to an inexperienced attorney. Due to the extreme nature of your injuries, you will need to file a claim as soon as possible in order to receive the financial compensation you will need to sustain your life.
The Paris Law Firm is dedicated to helping individuals who have had their lives forever changed due to their injuries. Contact us today by calling (909) 325-6185 and scheduling a free initial consultation and case review.