The difference between catastrophic and personal injuries is the severity of the damage and the way it impacts your future. An accident that causes a catastrophic injury is complex and is devastating to you and your loved ones, changing your life permanently. According to the US government, for an injury to be considered “catastrophic” it must prevent you from working again. In contrast, personal injury can encompass a range of injuries, including a person’s body, emotions, or reputation.
Our clients’ situations are unique, and several factors must be considered. The severity of the injury determines the type of case, the amount of compensation you deserve, and how long it takes for a case to settle.
Differentiating between a catastrophic injury and a personal injury is essential for individuals contemplating legal recourse following an accident. Understanding the severity of the harm and the possible legal consequences can greatly impact the decisions made moving forward. If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact the Law Office of Jacob Emrani for a FREE case review.
The costs of your medical care may only be the beginning of the settlement you’ll receive. Our lawyers stop at nothing until we’re confident you’ll get the compensation you deserve. We’ll take care of the overwhelming costs of treatment, loss of work, emotional hardship, and property damage you’ve endured.
Understanding Personal Injury
Personal injury law, or tort law, dictates what a person is entitled to when harmed due to another person’s negligence. If you’re injured through the fault of someone else, like in an auto accident, a dog bite, or due to a defective product, you’re entitled to compensation to cover the cost of medical bills and other costs related to your ongoing injury.
To determine why personal injury cases take so long, we have to look at the details of your case. It can be challenging to prove that an injury, illness, or emotional trauma has occurred. You may require extensive medical assessment and care before the extent of the injuries can be appropriately assessed. If the other party disputes your claims, this also adds time to the case process..
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Los Angeles or elsewhere in Southern California, we have your back. Call the Law Offices of Jacob Emrani to speak to someone. We fight for you and make sure you get what you deserve. If you decide to use our firm, you pay absolutely nothing until we win. Let us help pay for your medical expenses, transportation, anything you might need until you’re back on your feet.
Exploring Catastrophic Injuries
We take catastrophic injury cases. Catastrophic injuries alter your life long-term. Some of the most common injuries that are considered catastrophic are paralysis and spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, disfigurement or loss of a limb, severe burns, multiple bone fractures, severe nerve or ligament damage, serious organ damage, or a loss of sight, hearing, or speech.
Catastrophic injuries negatively impact your quality of life, with severe, permanent consequences, such as:
- Being unable to care for yourself or needing ongoing medical care, either from medical staff or from a spouse who needs to leave their job to do so
- Being unable to have gainful employment because of the injury you’ve sustained, resulting in a loss of earnings
- Requiring medical device assistance, like a wheelchair, elevators, or another device
- Having to modify your home and vehicle to accommodate new disabilities caused by the accident
These and other permanent lifestyle adjustments cost money, not only initially or during treatment but often for the rest of your life. They may also alter your relationships with your loved ones, especially if you become dependent on them for caregiving. Adequate financial compensation can relieve some of the burden and improve your quality of life.
Legal and Financial Implications
In both personal and catastrophic injury claims, the defendant (or their insurance company) has to pay a specific dollar amount to the injured person after liability has been established and all damages have been documented. This means tracking all medical bills and records, employment documents, psychiatric care records, or any other paperwork you can gather regarding your injuries. All this takes time, which is why your personal injury case takes so long.
When it comes to catastrophic injuries, you deserve to receive financial compensation for a lifetime of necessary accommodations, care, and disability-related needs. Many people are unable to return to work. Some people lose physical abilities, like sight or the ability to walk, and need to adjust their lifestyles significantly. Some require 24-hour support from a nursing team or their spouse.
People who’ve suffered a catastrophic injury often have long-term or lifelong medical expenses. They need to pay for medical devices and live with chronic pain and mental anguish. At the Law Offices of Jacob Emrani, we strive to ensure that you receive the financial compensation necessary to maintain a high quality of life.
We may even pursue punitive damages if the at-fault party’s actions have been deemed unacceptable by a judge. This is additional compensation, used as an additional punishment to the defendant in cases where violence, extreme carelessness, or malicious acts were in play, causing your injury. This includes murder attempts, driving under the influence, or an act of gross negligence.
Rehabilitation and Support
After any accident, medical bills are only the beginning of your costly road to recovery. In a catastrophic accident, you’ll likely need ongoing rehabilitation, medical support, and even in-home care for the rest of your life. We’ll factor in these costs when determining appropriate compensation.
Contact The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani Today
At the Offices of Jacob Emrani, our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers work hard to serve Southern California citizens like you. We’ll help you get testimonies from people who can help verify your need for higher compensation, like medical experts, occupational therapists, rehabilitation experts, and others who can verify the ongoing need for care and the financial burden this may place upon you and your family.
There’s no case too complex. Call (888) 952-2952 to set up your no-cost case evaluation!