No one should ever suffer any kind of physical injury solely because someone else around them was reckless or careless, and certainly not an injury resulting in permanent and debilitating harm. Unfortunately, that latter scenario happens in Arizona almost every single day, and there is only so much that civil restitution can do in a situation like this to make up for the damage this sort of injury causes.
That said, demanding fair financial recovery for specific losses stemming from your catastrophic accident can still be key to protecting your best interests in the long term, as can working with a seasoned personal injury attorney who is unafraid to take your case all the way to trial if necessary. From initial settlement negotiations to a final court verdict, your Gilbert catastrophic injury lawyer could be an irreplaceable ally fighting tenaciously to get you paid what you deserve.
Examples of Common Catastrophic Injuries
A catastrophic injury can occur in a variety of scenarios, including car accidents, motorcycle wrecks, commercial truck collisions, pedestrian accidents, medical malpractice, slips and falls, dog bites, workplace injuries, and more. In the context of civil litigation, legal professionals and court officials generally understand “catastrophic injury” to mean one that is expected to cause a loss of bodily or cognitive function in the injured person that will result in severe disruption to their daily life and which is expected to last for the rest of their life. The archetypal example of an injury that meets these criteria is a spinal cord injury resulting in permanent and total paralysis below the injury location, but other injuries that could be definable as catastrophic include:
- Internal organ damage
- Moderate to severe brain trauma
- Certain medical conditions like strokes
- Any injury resulting in deafness or blindness
- Any injury resulting in the loss or amputation of a limb
- High-degree burns covering a substantial amount of the body as a whole and/or sensitive areas like the hands, face, or groin
It is worth emphasizing that this is not an exhaustive list. A seasoned Gilbert catastrophic accident attorney from our firm could provide vital help filing suit over any injury expected to cause long-term harm that stems from another person’s reckless or careless conduct.
Unique Aspects of Catastrophic Injury Lawsuits
In Arizona, designating an injury as “catastrophic” does not cause any dramatic changes to the procedural steps the injured person must take to formally file suit and demand civil compensation for their injuries and losses. Doing this can, however, be crucial to recovering fairly for the long-term effects of the injury since courts and insurance companies understand that “catastrophic” injuries will require substantially more compensation to account for long-term financial and personal harm compared to a minor personal injury that will heal with time.
It should be noted as well that the “statute of limitations” for personal injury claims codified under Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542 applies equally to virtually all claims, no matter how severe or long-lasting the injury in question is. This means that people who suffer catastrophic injuries generally have two years at most to begin filing any lawsuit they ever intend to pursue over that injury. Working with a Gilbert attorney as early as possible after sustaining catastrophic harm is the best way to ensure all applicable deadlines are met, and the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Work With a Gilbert Catastrophic Injury Attorney
Catastrophic injuries demand a different approach to civil litigation built around them compared to what you might expect for a less severe injury. Even if you have pursued a personal injury claim successfully in the past, you will almost certainly need assistance from legal counsel if you want a fair shot at getting the restitution you need.
A Gilbert catastrophic injury lawyer from the Phillips Law Group could explain your rights and possible recovery options in further detail during a private consultation. Schedule yours by calling today.
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