Catastrophic injuries can have devastating effects on individuals and their families in Shelby, NC. These injuries can be caused by a range of accidents, including car crashes, falls, medical malpractice, and workplace accidents, for example. Catastrophic injuries can include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and more.
If you suffered a catastrophic injury in Shelby, NC, it’s important to seek the advice and assistance of an experienced attorney. A qualified injury attorney can help you understand your rights and options and fight for the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
At the law firm of Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C., we have the knowledge and experience to handle the most challenging injury cases. Contact us today for a free legal consultation with a Shelby, NC, catastrophic injury lawyer.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is an injury that permanently and significantly affects a victim and may lead to death, permanent disabilities, or severe injuries that require long-term medical care. These injuries can be emotionally devastating for victims and their families, as they must adjust to the realities of living with a disability or long-term care requirements.
What Types of Injuries Are Considered Catastrophic?
When most people hear “catastrophic injury,” they usually think of paralysis or brain damage. Those are good examples, but a catastrophic injury can be any injury that results in a permanent disability or has a long-term negative effect on an individual’s quality of life. Common types of catastrophic injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries – A spinal cord injury can occur when there is significant trauma to the vertebrae and the spinal cord contained within, resulting in partial or total paralysis.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – TBIs often occur due to head trauma and can result in long-term physical and cognitive impairments.
- Burn injuries – Burn injuries can cause disfigurement and serious complications, including scarring and respiratory problems.
- Amputation injuries – Losing a limb or body part due to trauma can cause lifelong physical and emotional pain, not to mention disabilities.
- Crushing injuries – Crush injuries may result in broken bones, the loss of muscle tissue, and in some cases, amputation. Crush injuries can also trigger compartment syndrome and other life-threatening complications.
- Vision and hearing loss – These injuries can impact an individual’s ability to work, communicate, and live independently.
- Organ damage – Damage to internal organs can lead to long-term health complications.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are often caused by another person’s negligence or recklessness. When a person suffers a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, they could be eligible for compensation. Common causes of catastrophic injuries include:
- Car accidents – When drivers negligently operate their vehicles, other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists can suffer significant harm from collisions.
- Medical malpractice – Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to provide proper care or makes a careless mistake that severely harms the patient.
- Slip and fall accidents – If a property owner fails to maintain their premises in a safe condition, a slip and fall accident could result and severely injure the victim.
- Workplace accidents – Types of workplace accidents that can cause catastrophic injuries include construction accidents, explosions, fires, machinery entanglements, falls from heights, chemical exposure, and more.
- Product liability – Product liability cases involve defective or dangerous products sold despite manufacturing, design, or marketing flaws.
Why Are Catastrophic Injury Cases More Complex?
Catastrophic injury cases are some of the most complex matters attorneys handle. Of course, recovering compensation is an important step in any personal injury case, but it is especially true when victims are left with life-long losses and need long-term medical care and financial support. In such cases, financial recovery is often the only funding source for a lifetime of significant expenses.
Unfortunately, insurance companies and corporations often aim to pay victims as little as possible to protect their bottom line. For this reason, victims of catastrophic injuries need a qualified attorney with the resources and experience to take on these complex cases. An attorney with experience in catastrophic injury cases will be knowledgeable about medical costs, prognoses, long-term needs, and how much their injury may have impacted a person’s life. This experience will enable the attorney to accurately assess the value of your claim and build a strong case for maximum compensation.
Can I Get Compensation for My Catastrophic Injury in Shelby, NC?
When the unthinkable happens, and a person suffers a catastrophic injury in Shelby, NC, they may be entitled to financial compensation if the accident was someone else’s fault. Victims of serious accidents can seek justice against the person or company responsible for it. Recovering compensation can help relieve the burden of high medical bills and lost income. It can also help cover physical rehabilitation, lost current and future wages, pain, suffering, and more.
What to Do After a Catastrophic Injury in Shelby, NC
It’s important to know what steps to take after a catastrophic injury to protect your legal rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Here are steps you should take after suffering a catastrophic injury in Shelby, NC:
- Seek medical attention. Getting medical help as soon as possible is essential for your health and safety and the success of your legal case. Follow all the advice given by your doctor and keep records of all treatments and medications received.
- Document everything. It is important to document all aspects of the injury. Collect your medical reports, photographs of your injuries and the accident scene, witness statements, and other pertinent information.
- Contact an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer. Our Shelby personal injury attorneys are ready to help you through the legal complexities of a catastrophic injury case.
Catastrophic Injury Statute of Limitations in North Carolina
There are important time deadlines associated with bringing catastrophic injury claims in North Carolina. It is imperative that you speak with an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer immediately in an effort to make sure your claim is asserted in a timely manner.
Contact a Shelby Catastrophic Injury Attorney
At Teddy, Meekins & Talbert, P.L.L.C., we have decades of experience handling catastrophic injury cases in North Carolina and are committed to fighting for our clients’ rights. Our legal team can provide legal advice and representation to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you. Get your free legal consultation with a Shelby catastrophic injury lawyer.
