Charlotte Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Charlotte, NC

Helping Accident Victims Recover Compensation

It only takes a split second for a life-altering injury to occur. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe burns, and amputations necessitate extensive medical treatment and wholesale changes to a person’s lifestyle. That is why it is important to retain an experienced Charlotte catastrophic injury lawyer to help you get the compensation you need to begin moving forward with your life.

If you’re looking for a skilled Charlotte personal injury lawyer, you’ve come to the right place. At the law firm of DAS Law Group, we act as dedicated advocates for those who suffered serious injuries due to the reckless or negligent behavior of another person. We understand the impacts that catastrophic injuries have not only on you but on your loved ones as well.

With the potential for mounting medical bills, loss of work, and changes to your lifestyle, the last worry you should have is whether the attorney you hire has your interests in mind. Our team has decades of experience and is ready to work for you.

Catastrophic Injuries in Charlotte, NC

Injuries can happen to anyone at any time, but understanding different types of injuries can help you identify the potential future care that you or an injured loved one may need. It can also help you look in your search for a knowledgeable and experienced attorney in Charlotte, NC.

Like other personal injury experiences, claims can be filed against the negligent party in court for those injuries that are deemed catastrophic. The claim-filing process is the same for any type of personal injury. However, catastrophic injuries are those in which the victim is unlikely to fully recover from the injuries suffered. These claims can be complicated because such injuries often require:

• Long-term medical care
• Possible home modifications
• Rehabilitation
• Limitations on the type of work, if any, that the injured party can perform

When filing claims for these types of injuries, your attorney must take into account these long-term ramifications. In such claims, the injured party is entitled to medical coverage, compensation for past and future lost wages, and much more. A skilled attorney can use their resources to thoroughly investigate each of these areas, thus maximizing the clients’ recovery.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

While any injury can be life-altering, injuries deemed catastrophic often impact parts of the body that influence a person’s physical and motor functions. Types of catastrophic injuries that one may experience could include:

• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain injuries
• Burn injuries
• Hearing loss
• Vision loss
• Paralysis
• Crush injuries
• Internal injuries
• Amputations

These injuries are examples of those that one could suffer, but this is not an extensive list.

Catastrophic Injury Laws

A common misconception is that a personal injury is the result of some major experience, such as a devastating car accident on Interstate 77. However, injuries can occur for any number of reasons, including something as simple as a careless mistake or a defect in a product.

No matter how your catastrophic injury is caused, you may be entitled to compensation from the negligent or liable party involved. Sometimes, more than one party may be at fault. Our attorneys are skilled and experienced in investigating all possible sources of recovery.

To hold another accountable for your injuries under the law, you must prove that there was a breach in an individual or entity’s obligation to care for the safety and protection of others and that they failed to reasonably do so. For example, suppose you are involved in a car accident.

The car that hit you was operated by a driver who may have been looking at their phone instead of the road. They failed to reasonably protect others on the road by failing to abide by safe driving protocols.

In any catastrophic injury case, the burden of proof must include five elements for it to be a successful claim. The five elements include:

1. Duty: In many cases, there is an obligation for one person or entity to protect others, more commonly referred to as a duty of care. In the above example of the car accident, there is a clear duty of care by the operator of the motor vehicle. Anyone who operates a motor vehicle is responsible for doing so in a way that does not put others at risk of injury.
2. Breach: A breach occurs when the person who has a duty of care chooses an action or fails to take an action, causing harm to others. In the example, the person choosing to look at their phone instead of the road chose an action that caused a failure in their duty of care.
3. Cause: This is the plaintiff’s claim and presentation of proof that their injuries were caused by the failure in the duty of care. Unfortunately, some personal injury cases may be met with resistance by some entities, such as insurance companies, who will want to argue that the injuries were pre-existing. However, in catastrophic injury cases, there is a higher likelihood that this argument will not occur, as the cause of such injuries is more evident.
4. Scope: This refers to the predictability of injuries given the circumstances of the cause. In a car accident, the injuries suffered due to the collision of two vehicles fit the scope of potential injuries that could occur.
5. Damages: This is what you may be seeking as a result of the physical injuries that you suffered. When calculating damages, you will take into consideration your current lost wages, future lost wages, long-term healthcare needs, changes in lifestyle, and more.

For those who suffer catastrophic injuries and hope to recoup damages resulting from them, North Carolina has very strict policies on contributory negligence. This means that even if you can successfully prove the other party was at fault, the defendant is able to argue and provide evidence that you also were negligent and, therefore, contributed to your injuries.

If you were also at fault, you will not be entitled to damages. Therefore, it is important that, when speaking with your personal injury attorney, you are honest and forthcoming with all the details of your case so that your attorney understands the circumstances. The largest challenge is proving that the other party was 100% responsible for the injuries you suffered.

Whether you were the victim of a motor vehicle accident, have suffered harm as the result of medical malpractice or hospital negligence, or have been hurt as the result of a defective product, our North Carolina injury lawyers will act as strong advocates in your case. We know how to pursue full and fair compensation that you need to address any immediate issues, as well as help you plan for the future.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Charlotte and Who Can Be Liable

Catastrophic injuries can occur in a variety of instances, ranging from devastating car collisions to workplace accidents. Despite the cause of your catastrophic injury, it’s crucial that you work with a skilled personal injury lawyer who can help you determine liability and hold negligent parties accountable for the harm they’ve caused. The following are the most common causes of catastrophic injuries:

• Large commercial vehicle crashes
• Motorcycle crashes
• Pedestrian and bicycle crashes
• Falls from heights
• Industrial accidents
• Equipment failures
• Medical errors

Because motor vehicle accidents produce many of the catastrophic injuries seen in today’s hospitals, determining liability can often be complicated, especially when multiple parties are at fault. In addition to the main driver who caused the accident, parties that can be held liable for catastrophic injuries include:

• Employers of negligent commercial drivers
• Trucking companies
• Property owners or maintenance vendors
• Product manufacturers and distributors
• Contractors or subcontractors
• Healthcare providers
• Government entities

Why Hire a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?

In 2023, the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations in Mecklenburg County was unintentional falls, with over 9,330 hospitalizations. Another 417 people died from their injuries, and a total of 92,005 people went to local emergency rooms for falls. Poisonings, motor vehicle crashes, and firearm injuries all caused numerous hospitalizations and deaths, as well, with many related to catastrophic injuries.

It doesn’t matter how you sustained your severe injury. If you were hurt by another person’s negligence, you can hire a catastrophic injury lawyer to help you hold that person accountable and get compensated for your pain and suffering. A passionate lawyer from DAS Law Group, PA, can:

• Fill out and file important paperwork and claims.
• Keep track of strict deadlines.
• Gather and analyze evidence.
• Collect professional witnesses.
• Negotiate with insurance companies.
• Provide courtroom representation.

FAQs

What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury in Charlotte?

A catastrophic injury in Charlotte is a severe, typically sudden, injury that causes long-term functional impairment or permanent disability. Some catastrophic injuries also cause significant disfigurement, further impacting a victim’s life. Most catastrophic injuries require lifelong care and prevent gainful employment. Common examples include spinal cord injuries, TBIs, severe burns, amputations, and vision or hearing loss.

How Much Is Pain and Suffering Worth in a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Charlotte?

How much pain and suffering is worth in a catastrophic injury claim in Charlotte will vary depending on the specifics of your case and the severity of your injury. If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury, the damages associated with pain and suffering could be significant, as the impact your injury has on your day-to-day life will be considered. To get a better understanding of how much pain and suffering may be worth in your case, you should consult a skilled lawyer.

What Is Criteria 6 for Catastrophic Impairment?

Criteria 6 for catastrophic impairment refers to the American Medical Association’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. This guide defines permanent impairment, which involves a combination of physical issues that result in an overall impairment of 55% or more. The criterion focuses on the long-term impact of physical injuries, including severe back, neck, and extremity injuries.

What Is Catastrophic Injury Law?

Catastrophic injury law is the field of personal injury law that allows victims to seek accountability and compensation after suffering severe damage. Catastrophic injuries include any injury that causes severe, lifelong impairment. The focus of catastrophic injury law is to hold those responsible for causing these life-altering impairments accountable for their actions or negligence.

Charlotte Catastrophic Injury Attorneys

Catastrophic injuries are life-altering. The team at DAS Law Group, understands these challenging and difficult circumstances. Our team advocates for the needs of our clients to help them recover any damages they may be entitled to.

Whether residing in Charlotte or elsewhere in North Carolina, our attorneys have the skill and experience to help you with your catastrophic injury claim. While we cannot undo the accident, we approach your case with the compassion and empathy you deserve. Contact our offices today and speak with one of our attorneys. We offer an initial consultation to help you make sense of your catastrophic injury claim.