Last updated on May 12, 2022
Most injuries have immediate, short-term physical, emotional, and financial impact on the lives of victims. Catastrophic injuries devastate lives. They leave victims with permanent injuries and disabilities, along with the inability to work or make a living. When these injuries are caused by someone else's negligence or wrongdoing, injured victims can seek compensation for their injuries, damages, and losses.
Key Takeaways on Catastrophic Injury
Understanding Catastrophic Injuries
- Catastrophic injuries cause permanent disabilities, loss of income, and lifelong challenges.
- These injuries often result from negligence, recklessness, or wrongful conduct.
- Victims may be entitled to legal compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries
- Paralysis and spinal cord injuries leading to loss of mobility.
- Amputation and disfigurement altering quality of life.
- Severe burns and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) requiring long-term treatment.
- Internal organ damage, broken bones, and loss of eyesight or hearing.
- Many injuries require rehabilitation, 24/7 care, and lifelong medical support.
Causes of Catastrophic Accidents
- Motor vehicle crashes, including car and truck accidents.
- Defective and dangerous products.
- Dog attacks and other animal-related injuries.
- Slip-and-fall accidents and unsafe premises.
- Other negligent or reckless acts that create devastating consequences.
Proving a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Seattle
- Success requires strong documentation and legal strategy.
- Essential evidence includes accident and police reports, medical records, witness statements, and proof of damages.
- An experienced Seattle catastrophic injury attorney investigates, negotiates with insurers, and builds a case to maximize compensation.
Compensation Available for Victims
- Payment for current and future medical expenses.
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity.
- Rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and home modifications (e.g., wheelchair ramps).
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.
- Loss of consortium and damages for long-term hardship.
Proven Results from Pendergast Law
- $2.4M recovery for a man with a severe degloving injury.
- $372K recovery for a young woman with a fractured pelvis.
- $162.5K recovery for a teenager with a skull fracture after being struck by a car.
- Demonstrated history of securing significant settlements for catastrophic injury victims.
Why Choose Pendergast Law for Catastrophic Injury Claims
- Experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys with a track record of results.
- Compassionate, client-focused representation during recovery.
- Dedicated support in navigating complex insurance and legal processes.
- Free consultations and no upfront costs — only pay if your case is won.
Common Types Of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are typically a result of someone else's negligence. They are completely unpredictable in the way that there is no single nature of these accidents; they can happen anywhere, at any time, and in any number of circumstances. Car accidents, defective products, dog attacks and slip-and-falls are just a few examples of circumstances that can result in catastrophic injuries. There's a huge variety of specific catastrophic injuries that might be sustained as a result of these incidences, but a few of the most common are:
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Disfigurement
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Internal damage
- Neck and spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Loss of eyesight or hearing
Many of these injuries are permanent. While some of the symptoms can be treated with physical therapy or rehabilitation, victims of these injuries often need assistance, round-the-clock care and supervision.
Proving Your Seattle Catastrophic Accident Claim
Unless you have a deep familiarity with Washington personal injury law, you should not represent yourself. The claims process is a lengthy one and can be incredibly complex. Get in touch with an experienced Washington catastrophic accident attorney here at Pendergast Law and if the initial review shows a strong case, we'll conduct a thorough investigation right away.
In order to prove a Seattle catastrophic accident claim, documentation is crucial. You will need:
- Accident reports
- Police reports and records
- Witness statements
- Documentation of damages (copies of medical bills, quotes for property or car repairs, etc.)
- Doctor and medical reports
Once these are collected, your personal injury lawyer will work with you to speak to insurance companies on your behalf, investigate the site of the accident, and further examine and analyze your case. Combined, all of these tactics and documentation will help prove who caused your injuries, how severely you were injured, and what compensation you are entitled to receive.
Pendergast Law Case Results
- $2,400,000 recovery – a 41-year-old man who suffered a severe degloving injury to his left hand.
- $372,000 recovery – a 19-year-old woman who fractured her pelvis while riding as a passenger in a vehicle that was struck.
- $162,500 recovery – a 17-year-old girl who fractured her skull when she was hit by a car.
Compensation For Victims Of Catastrophic Injuries In Washington
Besides the physical and mental pain commonly associated with serious injuries, victims of catastrophic injuries often struggle with financial problems. This is why victims of catastrophic injuries and their families need to explore their legal options. Depending on the cause of the accident, it may be possible to pursue financial compensation from at-fault parties for damages and losses.
If you've suffered a serious injury, you may be able to seek compensation for:
- Current and future medical bills
- Changes to your home to accommodate your physical disabilities, such as installing wheelchair ramps
- Required physical and occupational rehabilitation
- Lost current and future wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of life's enjoyment
- Loss of consortium
- Damages due to emotional stress
The most important thing to do after a catastrophic accident is to focus on your physical and mental health and well-being, and legal and financial issues will only get in the way of that. With the help of a reliable Seattle injury attorney, you can receive the support you need to stay secure during your recovery. Call us, the compassionate and experienced Seattle personal injury lawyers at Pendergast Law today. You can call us at 888-539-9211 toll-free. You can fill out our online form, or speak to a live representative immediately. We're waiting to hear from you, so we can try and help you through this.