While some injuries may be brushed off as superficial, others may alter the course of a victim’s life. When people suffer catastrophic injuries due to the negligence of another, they could require drastic medical procedures and long-term rehabilitation, or have to change their way of living to conform to the injury.
If you or a loved one experienced life-altering losses because of someone else’s reckless or careless behavior, it may be best to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. A Florence catastrophic injury lawyer could help you pursue the compensation you deserve for medical and other expenses.
Defining Catastrophic Injuries
Most catastrophic injuries harm the spine or brain, meaning the victim’s ability to move, think or communicate becomes permanently compromised. While not all critical injuries involve the nervous system, all catastrophic injuries should be regarded seriously. Common examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Coma
- Amputation
- Loss of sight or hearing
- Severe burns
- Internal injuries
- Multiple fractures
These horrific injuries often require long-term hospitalization, ongoing rehabilitation, and drug treatment. It is not uncommon for those suffering from a catastrophic injury to develop additional physical or mental issues relating to an injury.
The long-term effects of an injury on an individual might vary. Some people may need extensive modifications to their home to continue living in it, or they may have to move to a nursing home or similar long-term care facility. Those coping with a catastrophic injury often permanently use a wheelchair or may require prosthetics or other treatment options.
Because of the severity of injuries and how often patients must accommodate themselves or loved ones because of an injury, taking legal action against the party responsible for causing it is often warranted. When doing so, it is usually in a victim’s best interest to contact an experienced Florence catastrophic injury attorney for representation.
What are the Recoverable Damages in a Car Accident Case?
Compensation for catastrophic injury victims and their families, known as damages, typically falls into one of two categories: economic and non-economic damages. The former category includes objective financial losses like lost wages from being unable to work and past, present, and future medical expenses, while the latter deals with subjective losses like pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
If the victim dies from an injury, damages may include funeral and burial costs. In other circumstances, punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are meant to be punishment for the responsible party in cases where the catastrophic injury resulted from especially egregious actions. For help with calculating and recovering damages, reach out to a seasoned attorney.
What are the Statute of Limitations?
Under South Carolina Code §15-3-530, a person has three years from the date of their catastrophic injury to file a lawsuit and seek recovery of damages. While that may sound like ample time, it is typically important to contact a catastrophic accident lawyer in Florence as soon as possible so they may begin work on the case. Waiting too long may mean it becomes harder to collect evidence and interview witnesses, and exceeding the deadline set by this statute of limitations may result in a case being time-barred by the court.
Contact a Florence Catastrophic Injury Attorney
It is only right that you are able to recover compensation after another negligence has caused you to suffer an injury. If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury, you may want to retain the services of an experienced Florence catastrophic injury lawyer. Call today to arrange a confidential consultation, review your case, and discuss your options going forward.
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