Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic Injury Attorneys in Melrose, MA

Obtaining Justice And Fair Compensation for Victims of Life-Altering Injuries

A catastrophic injury is life-changing and severe, not only for the victim but for their families as well. Catastrophic injuries frequently result in lifelong pain, permanent disability, rehabilitation, and long-term therapy. In addition, victims of catastrophic injuries have to deal with the fact that they will no longer be able to work or perform basic activities of daily living for themselves, resulting in a loss of quality of life. Furthermore, the victim and their family are faced with unmanageable and expensive medical bills, along with the emotional trauma they are experiencing as a result of their accident.

If you or a family member has suffered catastrophic injuries because of another individual’s negligent actions, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation. It is crucial that you hire an experienced lawyer to help you navigate the overly complex legal issues that accompany injuries of this nature. One of the last things you may want to do is deal with the insurance company, which will often try to pressure you into accepting a settlement that is far less than your claim is actually worth. The catastrophic injury attorneys of the Martino Law Group, LLC of Melrose, MA, are committed to fighting aggressively on your behalf in order to recover fair compensation for your injuries and hold the negligent parties accountable for their reckless actions.

Severe injuries can change your life. Let our Melrose attorneys fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a Consultation.

What are Catastrophic Injuries?

Catastrophic injuries involve any physical injury that is determined to be serious and, as a result, has life-altering consequences for the victim. In almost all cases, injuries of this nature require a tremendous amount of medical treatment and related therapies. Even when the victims of catastrophic injuries no longer need medical attention, they still suffer from the psychological impacts of living life in a lesser quality than before their accident.

Some examples of catastrophic injuries include the following:

  • Traumatic brain injury: A brain injury can cause the victim to suffer compromised speech and language ability, diminished motor skills, and permanent cognitive impairment. Long-term damages can include brain swelling and paralysis.
  • Back injuries: Injuries that involve slipped, ruptured, or bulging discs along the spine can cause debilitating pain and a serious lack of mobility. Some injured victims may receive relief from back surgeries, but for many more, there is no real method of permanent pain relief, meaning the victim will have to live with their pain and lack of mobility for the rest of their lives.
  • Spinal cord damage: This is one of the most serious injuries that an individual can sustain as a victim could potentially be paralyzed from the point of their injury down. Injuries that involve the spinal cord are irreversible, and consequently, the victim will require lifelong care and medical oversight.
  • Loss of limbs: Losing any limb can be devastating not only physically, as victims are prone to developing infections. In addition, injury victims who lose a limb often suffer from severe depression and mental anguish. Their ability to work or earn what they used to will likely never return.

What Types of Accidents Cause Catastrophic Injuries?

Unfortunately, catastrophic injuries can occur at any time in a variety of situations. The results of these types of accidents are devastating, but even more so if the accident was the result of another individual’s negligence. If you have sustained catastrophic injuries as a result of negligent actions, you may be able to recover financial compensation for your injuries.

Some examples of negligent actions that may cause catastrophic injuries are as follows:

It should be noted that not all of these types of accidents result in catastrophic injuries. However, if you have sustained life-altering injuries, it is crucial to your future and the well-being of your family that you obtain legal representation that can help you recover the financial compensation that you will need to care for your present and future medical and personal needs. Speaking with our experienced Melrose catastrophic injury attorneys can help you understand your legal options.

What Helps Build a Strong Personal Injury Claim?

Your claim will start from the moment you are injured. Even though you may not be aware of future legal claims, your actions after your accident will have an immediate impact on your personal injury claim.

In order to build a strong case, you should:

  • Seek immediate medical attention: Keep detailed documentation of your diagnosis, treatments, and long-term care. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Failure to do so can be damaging to your case.
  • Clear evidence of liability: Massachusetts follows comparative negligence laws, but minimizing your liability will maximize your claim.
  • Proof of long-term damages: Evidence that you face permanent disability, loss of earning capacity, or need lifelong assistance as a result of the accident.
  • Pain and suffering journal: Track how your life is affected by the pain and suffering as a result of the accident.
  • Family member and caregiver statements: Testimony from those close to you and the people responsible for your daily care will have a huge impact on your case.

When you remember that your case starts the moment you are injured, you will better understand how things you would not have thought of as evidence actually have a significant impact on your personal injury claim. One of the most valuable things you can do is speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible and follow their professional advice.

Who Can You Hold Responsible for My Catastrophic Injury?

One of the most critical steps involved in situations where catastrophic injuries have occurred is to first examine the facts that surround your case and identify the responsible party. If the injuries that you have sustained were directly caused by negligence or an intentional act, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit.

It is common in many catastrophic injury cases for more than one person to be responsible for the damage that has occurred. The responsible party could be your physician, nurse, other medical personnel, or the hospital. In addition, if your catastrophic injury was sustained as the result of a car accident, the driver of the other vehicle could also be held accountable. When you are involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, the other driver, their employer, and even the truck manufacturer could be the negligent parties.

It is vital to both your future and that of your family that you seek legal representation immediately. The Melrose catastrophic injury attorneys of the Martino Law Group, LLC can investigate the facts that surround your case and establish who may be held accountable for your injuries. Our legal team will guide you through the personal injury process and ensure your rights are protected.

What is Required to Recover Damages?

Several elements must be present in all personal injury claims, including catastrophic injury claims. These factors are essential to creating the legal framework that holds the negligent party accountable for their actions and allows you to seek compensation.

The elements that must be present include:

Duty to Exercise Reasonable Care

As members of society, we owe other people a certain amount of reasonable care. In order to establish a personal injury claim, you will need to prove that the person you believe is responsible for your injuries failed to exercise that reasonable care. Reasonable care is considered what a reasonable person would do in any given circumstance to avoid injuring someone else. For example, driving the speed limit, especially in inclement weather.

Failure to Exercise Reasonable Care

When the responsible party fails to meet their duties in regard to reasonable care, they may be responsible for the injuries or damages caused by their actions. Even if the responsible party did not mean to cause harm to another person, they may still be held liable for not exercising precautions.

Causation

Causation refers to the responsible party’s failure to offer reasonable care, resulting in injuries, property damage, or wrongful death. You will have to prove that the other person’s negligent actions directly led to the accident in question.

You Suffered Actual Damages

Just because someone else caused an accident doesn’t mean they will instantly owe you compensation. In order to receive financial compensation, you will need to prove you sustained actual damages as a result of their negligence. In cases that result in catastrophic injury, the damage is usually readily apparent.

What Are the Types of Damages in Personal Injury Claims?

Catastrophic injury cases usually divide the types of damages incurred into two separate, distinct categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

These types of damages are fairly easy to prove because they are easily verifiable by bills and expenses incurred as a result of the accident. Things like medical expenses, property damage repairs, and lost wages can all be claimed when you file a catastrophic injury claim.

Non-Economic Damages

These types of damages are harder to prove because they usually involve less tangible damages. Pain and suffering, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life are all considered non-economic damages.

You will need the advice of an experienced attorney to recover compensation for these damages. Catastrophic injury claims are often complex cases that rely on expert testimony, witnesses, and strong legal representation.

Is the Court Always Required?

Catastrophic personal injury claims often put the offending party in a very bad light. Even if they are cleared of responsibility for your accident, the court of public opinion can have lasting damaging effects. Court is also incredibly expensive, especially for doctors in medical malpractice claims and companies in commercial vehicle claims.

For this reason, many parties choose to settle out of court. This can help them save face, lessen their legal expenses, and put this behind them quickly. With the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can put pressure on the negligent party and get fair compensation quickly.

Can a Catastrophic Injuries Lawyer Help You Recover Compensation for Your Injuries?

One of the most difficult aspects that surrounds catastrophic injury cases is the uncertainty of the extent of the injuries, due to the fact that these injuries are so severe in nature and life-altering, trying to estimate future medical costs and expenses can be extremely difficult in the first few days or weeks after the accident has occurred.

The experienced lawyers of the Martino Law Group, LLC understand that it is best to wait until a catastrophic injury victim reaches the full extent of their medical improvement before demanding financial compensation from the responsible party.

Our attorneys are committed to obtaining compensation for the following types of costs:

  • Medications
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Emergency medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of consortium (loss of a relationship)
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
  • Costs involved in modifying your home to accommodate your physical needs and disabilities
  • Medical equipment such as a hospital bed or a wheelchair
  • Service animals
  • Disfigurement

Speak With Our Melrose Catastrophic Injury Attorneys Today

If you have sustained catastrophic injuries, contact the Martino Law Group, LLC of Melrose, MA, and schedule a Consultation with an experienced injury lawyer. We have the skills and knowledge necessary to handle serious injury cases.

Contact us by calling (781) 531-8673. We look forward to serving you in your time of need.

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