What Is Catastrophic Injury?

Catastrophic accidents are severe, unexpected, and result in life-threatening injuries that alter the everyday livelihood of the victim and their loved ones. If you are injured in a catastrophic accident, it is necessary to work with an experienced attorney who can address the unique nature of these cases and has the resources to take on your case.

A subset of personal injury, a catastrophic injury is typically much more serious, requiring extensive medical treatment. These injuries oftentimes cause physical limitations and possible permanent disability. Client needs can be very different than a typical personal injury case, especially if the victim is incapacitated, unable to speak for themself, complete actions, or gather evidence. An experienced catastrophic injury attorney will be able to adapt to your needs while addressing your case assertively.

The Fitzgerald Law Firm has decades of experience advocating for individuals involved in catastrophic injuries. Our firm’s guiding principle drives us to find the truth in every case to help clients heal from physical pain as well as the emotional and financial burdens an accident causes.

Common Catastrophic Injuries

Whether the victim of a car accident or an explosion on an oil rig, catastrophic injuries completely alter a person’s way of life. Common catastrophic injuries include:

  • Birth Injury
  • Amputation
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Loss of Hearing
  • Loss of Sight
  • Facial Injury
  • Nerve Damage
  • Paralysis
  • Brain Injury
  • Neurological Damage
  • Crush Injury

Seeking Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Case

Catastrophic injuries can cause life-long complications and financial hardship for the injured person and their families. For this reason, the injured person can possibly seek much higher economic and non-economic damages than a standard personal injury case. Our team of experienced attorneys can help you understand which damages your case is eligible for and how to receive what your family needs to begin rebuilding your lives. Wyoming does not impose “caps” on the amount of damages a plaintiff can seek in a personal injury case, but each state has different laws. Possible damages that can be claimed in a catastrophic injury case include:

  • Past, present, or future medical bills
  • Costs for medical assistance products like wheelchairs and walkers
  • Pain and suffering
  • Intervention therapies such as occupational, speech, or physical therapy
  • Specialized care expenses

It is also possible to award punitive damages in a catastrophic injury case, which are used to deter others from engaging in the same dangerous conduct. A jury may award punitive or exemplary damages when it finds that the defendant’s misconduct was an intentional act or an intentional failure to act, in reckless disregard of the consequences.

How We Can Help

Our personal injury lawyers are not afraid to go to trial to fight for a proper result, rather than simply settling out of court. We have obtained multiple record-setting verdicts on behalf of our clients including one of the largest verdicts for physical injuries ever in Wyoming. The court awarded $22 million to a coal miner and his family after he suffered a brain injury and paralysis working in a dangerous environment when a boulder fell from the sidewalk and landed on the mining equipment he was operating.

We have the experience and resources to build and litigate complex cases that take on large corporations, trucking companies, and medical providers. We can discuss your rights and help you decide the best course of legal action for your case.

Contact Us

As with any personal injury case, it is important to seek legal representation quickly in a catastrophic injury case.

Contact The Fitzgerald Law Firm today to discuss the details of your case, and receive the legal support you need to begin your path toward recovery.