Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Mesquite Representing Victims Seeking Justice After Being Hurt by Someone Else’s Negligence

Being blindsided by an accident and an injury that could have been prevented if someone else did not act negligently or recklessly is enough to cause a victim endless stress and worry. But sometimes, the result of an accident is so severe, and the injuries are so significant, that the victim is said to have suffered a catastrophic injury. Learn how catastrophic injury cases work and what an attorney can do to help you recover fair compensation.

What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury Case in Texas?

A catastrophic injury is more severe and more life-altering than a standard personal injury. While many personal injury victims eventually recover and can go on with their lives with little to no complications due to their accident, a catastrophic injury victim will usually be left with permanent partial or total disability. Their injuries are so serious that the victim never fully recovers and may be stuck dealing with various symptoms, limitations, or painful conditions for life.

A catastrophic injury may result in a variety of life-altering conditions, such as scarring or disfigurement, loss of limbs, loss of body function (such as hearing or vision loss), spinal cord injuries or other types of nerve damage leading to paralysis, or brain damage that causes neurological issues such as trouble communicating, walking or caring for oneself. These conditions make it hard or even impossible for the victim to live independently and earn regular wages, often requiring long-term medical care.

What Kind of Compensation Is Available to Catastrophic Injury Victims?

Like in a standard personal injury case, a catastrophic injury claim typically allows the victim to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages. The difference is the average value of the claim is considerably higher, as the injuries the victim sustained are more serious and their damages are vastly greater than those of a standard personal injury victim. This makes this kind of case potentially more complicated and requires the help of a seasoned catastrophic injury lawyer.

It is worth mentioning that economic damages are financial losses that occurred directly from the accident. Medical bills lost wages, and property damage is some examples of economic damages. In addition, because a catastrophic injury victim is usually left with a lifelong disability, that victim’s economic damages may also include loss of earning ability and the cost of future medical care.

Can a Catastrophic Injury Case Be a Criminal Case?

Some catastrophic injury victims may wonder if they can pursue a criminal case against the person responsible for their accident. In most cases, the answer is “it depends.” Personal injury cases are based on negligence and handled in a civil court, while criminal cases are handled in a criminal court. It is possible for someone who has become injured as a result of assault or domestic violence, for example, to pursue a personal injury case against the defendant at the same time as the defendant gets prosecuted for criminal charges. However, each case is unique and criminal charges are not always feasible.

On the other hand, if the court finds that the victim’s injuries were caused by the gross negligence of the defendant, they may require the defendant to pay punitive damages to the victim. Because there are no criminal sentences in a civil court, ordering the payment of punitive damages is a way for a civil court to punish the defendant for their reckless behavior. Punitive damages may be ordered in addition to standard damages and are not available for every case.

What Can a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Do to Help?

Catastrophic injury victims are entitled to fair compensation for their life-altering, traumatizing injuries, but unfortunately, the path to securing compensation is not always easy or smooth. A catastrophic injury lawyer can help victims recover the necessary evidence to support their claim and protect their rights to be paid for their devastating damages. At the Oberg Law Office in Mesquite, Texas, catastrophic injury victims can get the strong legal representation they need to win. Contact the Oberg Law Office at 972-682-9700 to learn more.