When Do You Need a Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney for Catastrophic Injuries?
A catastrophic injury is something most people never plan for. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop them from occurring. These things will happen with no warning and no preparedness, and they often change your lives in dramatic ways.
Most of the time, these injuries are caused by car accidents or other accidents. You need a Sacramento personal injury lawyer on your side when something happens. Whether you are injured in a car accident, shopping, at work, in a government building, or hanging out with friends, you have options.
Personal injuries and catastrophic injuries are different. Check out this quick guide to learn when you might need to hire an attorney.
Catastrophic Injury Vs Personal Injury
A catastrophic personal injury is a form of personal injury. The difference between this category and others is that the injury and the long-term effects are more severe. The majority of personal injuries are mild, but a catastrophic injury will be major.
Here are a few examples:
- Near-death injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Loss of a limb
- Severe burns
- Spinal fractures
- Physical impediments (hearing, vision, mobility, etc)
- Partial or total paralysis
- Damage to internal organs
- Disfigurement
If the injury will prevent you from being able to work or requires you to be in long-term care or rehabilitation, it could be considered a catastrophic injury.
Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
By definition, a catastrophe is an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering. This is the case with most injuries – they occur suddenly and unexpectedly but leave behind immense damage.
Accidents happen for many reasons. It could be from a driver that failed to stop at a stop sign. But it could also be something like a building in disrepair that collapses or experiences major damage, leading to a personal injury.
The majority of catastrophic injuries are directly related to negligence on the behalf of an individual or business. When someone else fails to do what they should and it leads to a major injury, they could be held responsible for the injuries that occur.
If there is clear negligence that led to this catastrophe and injury, you may have recourse. The laws in California specifically allude to gross or ordinary negligence. Here are some examples the law provides:
- Collapsing buildings
- Equipment injuries
- Bikes or scooters on designated walking paths
- Sports injuries that occur in parks and fields
- Burn injuries from festivals, food trucks, or restaurants
- Off-roading or ATV-related injuries
- Some golf cart accidents (specifically on private property or golf courses)
This is not an all-inclusive list, but these are some of the most common sources. Take note that in recent years, the number of injuries from recreational activities and vehicles (such as ATVs, dirt bikes, etc.) has risen.
Alcoholic beverages also sometimes play a part and may lead to injury for the person who is inebriated. However, alcohol may lead to them causing the injury as well.
In addition to the circumstances described above, there are also catastrophic injuries that are work-related. Many times, these injuries fall under worker’s compensation claims.
Catastrophic Injuries Majorly Affect Your Life
When a catastrophic injury occurs, you will need a Sacramento personal injury attorney to help take on your case. Your life will likely be forever changed from this injury.
You may miss work while you recover, or even be unable to return to work. There will likely be extensive medical expenses to handle as well. Not only does the injured experience an income loss or reduction; they also have extra financial obligations related to the injury.
On top of the financial worries, you have insurance companies that will try to settle by paying out the bare minimum. Sometimes you have to fight with them to even get that. Meanwhile, your entire life has been thrown off-kilter and everything has changed. That single moment changed your lives forever.
Get a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer on Your Side
We never wish the worst to happen to anyone but if it does, you can take action. Don’t let yourself be pushed around by insurance companies or scrambling to figure out how to pay for everything.
The circumstances behind your injury were out of your control, but the rest doesn’t have to be. You deserve to take your life back. The best way to do just that is to hire a Sacramento personal injury lawyer.
Take care to use a firm with expertise in this area and a proven track record of success.