What Kind of Damages Can I Recover from My Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit?

Catastrophic injuries are severe injuries that, in most cases, result in permanent impairment. The common types of catastrophic injuries include; spinal cord and spine injuries, limb loss, traumatic brain injury, severe burns, and ruptured bowels, liver, spleen, or even kidneys. The severity of damages caused by each type of injury differs, and so does the amount you receive in compensation.

But generally, catastrophic injuries result in severe damages requiring you to hire a knowledgeable attorney to help you make the right claim. By hiring a lawyer, you will be confident that you will get the right financial resources that will enable you to overcome the damages that result from such injuries.  Below are some damages you can recover by pursuing a catastrophic injury lawsuit.

Lost Income

The most common types of catastrophic injuries impact the individual’s ability to earn a living. Two approaches are used when assessing the income loss caused by the injury. The first is the loss of the capacity to earn, which usually represents the income loss damages caused by the catastrophic injury compared to the amount the individual would earn if the injury never happened.

The other approach considers the lost wages, which is the income loss damages that the victim had suffered since the injury occurred. Calculating the loss of earning capacity is quite complicated but calculating the lost wages is easy. The attorney will only view the tax returns and pay stubs to determine how much you could have earned from the date you suffered the injury.

Medical Expenses

Treatment costs are quite high for most common types of catastrophic injuries. Such expenses include ambulance, surgery, emergency room care, specialist treatments, and extensive therapy. For instance, treatment for a severe burn involves several stages, including treatment in a burn unit and individual pain management, making it a very expensive treatment procedure.

Therefore, you should include them and expected future medical expenses in your claim. The personal injury lawyer can help you estimate the future cost as they deeply understand how catastrophic injuries could change over time.

Out of Pocket Expenses

With the help of a personal injury lawyer, your catastrophic injury lawsuit should also cover expenses such as the cost of over-the-counter medication and prescriptions and medical supplies like crutches.  It should also cover the costs of attendant care and special medical equipment like the wheelchair. Therefore, it is important to keep a receipt of any out-of-pocket expenses that you incur.

Loss of Consortium

Loss of consortium is defined as the loss of affection and physical intimacy between couples. Despite the immense damage that catastrophic injuries cause to the people hurt, they also extend to loved ones. However, personal injury lawyers are familiar with the harm that common types of catastrophic injuries can cause to your loved ones or the family.

Summary

Catastrophic injuries result in severe damages to the victim and, therefore, a need to pursue a lawsuit to recover such damages. Some of the damages you can recover by pursuing a catastrophic injury lawsuit are lost income, medical expenses, out-of-pocket expenses, and the loss of consortium.

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