Realizing your injuries are never going to be completely healed can be a difficult diagnosis to accept. No one deserves to wake up in pain every day, but it’s an unfortunate side effect that occurs after suffering a severe injury. Fortunately, there are legal options available to help those suffering lifelong injuries. At Maison Law, we have years of experience helping victims who have been seriously injured in a personal injury accident get the compensation they need. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Types of Injuries Requiring Lifelong Treatment
Injuries that require lifelong treatment are usually the most serious level of injury, which include spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The most common causes of these injuries usually stem from car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and construction accidents. Examples of these types of injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paraplegia
- Injuries resulting in blindness or deafness
- Amputations or other losses of a limb
- Disfigurement
- Severe burns
- Chronic lung damage
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
How Do You Prove a Lifelong Injury Proven in a Personal Injury Case?
Lifelong injury treatments are typically determined by a doctor. However, in a personal injury case, having your doctor diagnose you with a lifelong injury is just one step in proving the extent of your injury. Lawsuits involve a plaintiff (the injured victim) and the defense (the liable party). So, while you as the plaintiff can present your doctor’s medical diagnosis of your injury as evidence, the defense can elect to have their doctor diagnose you. This is known as a defensive medical exam (DME).
The defense’s doctor may try to minimize the extent of your injury or even attempt to get you to say your injury isn’t as limiting as you’re claiming. However, a Personal Injury Lawyer can attend your DME and ensure the doctor is honest through the entire exam by recording the meeting and objecting to any questions intended to trick you.
An attorney will also hire a Lifecare Planner on your behalf to strengthen the legitimacy of your lifelong injury. A Lifecare planner is a healthcare professional who will assess the extent of your injury and calculate the cost of treatment required for the remainder of your life. This lifecare planner will give a report of their findings to the defense and will also testify on your behalf as to the extent of your injuries in court if necessary.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and Lifelong Treatment
According to a study done at Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University, researchers have recently discovered that traumatic brain injuries do not stabilize after 1 or two years as previously thought. Now, researchers are learning TBIs need to be treated as chronic conditions with ongoing medical care.
Rehab after a TBI like physical or occupational therapy can present risks of causing new injuries or making existing symptoms worse if not done correctly. Also, not everyone with a TBI responds to therapy as some people are able to return to the same level of ability before the injury, while others need lifelong care. This is according to a study done by Johns Hopkins Medicine. TBI victims may also be at a higher risk for Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Both require lifelong treatment as there is no cure for these neurological diseases.
What is the Average Settlement for a Lifelong Injury in California?
An injury where lifelong treatment is necessary will typically be worth more than most personal injuries. However, no case is the same and their outcomes vary widely, depending on the details of the injury. Here are some examples of settlements, depending on the severity of the injury:
- Low settlement: low settlements usually consist of minor injuries. Medical bills and ongoing treatment costs are usually low with minor injuries, so the low settlement amount will reflect the low cost of damages. These settlements can range anywhere from $5k – $10k.
- Moderate settlements: moderate settlements apply to moderate injuries such as whiplash, fractures, and bruises. These injuries will require some medical treatment, as well as some missed work. The recovery period can be somewhat long, but victims typically make a full recovery. These settlements can range anywhere from $20k to $100k.
- High settlements: high settlements involve severe injuries, resulting in long-term medical treatment, permanent disability, or fatalities. These cases usually receive substantial compensation due to the extent of medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, as well as the extent of negligence which caused the accident. These settlements can range from over $100k to multiple millions of dollars.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in California
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury requiring lifelong treatment in California, our team of Personal Injury Lawyers at Maison Law can help you get the compensation you need. We understand the importance of reaching a successful settlement for major injuries and that’s why we aggressively pursue every avenue of the law to maximize the compensation you can receive from your injury. To regain financial control over your life after a life-altering injury, contact Maison Law today for a free, no-risk consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront fees and you don’t pay a cent until we’ve won your case.
