After a life-altering accident, many families may wonder how they will ever adjust to their new way of life. Many family members are forced to alter their own lives to care for their injured loved one by taking on a permanent supportive role.
At Maison Law, we represent victims of life-altering accidents. Understanding your rights and legal avenues toward financial compensation is an essential step for recovery. Take the first steps today by contacting Maison Law for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
Understanding Life-Altering Injuries
Life-altering injuries can happen anywhere. Car accidents, workplace incidents, and slip-and-falls are the most common causes of life-altering injuries, but these injuries are defined by long-term disability, chronic pain, and significant lifestyle changes. Types of life-altering injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Severe Burns
- Amputations
It is essential to take immediate legal action after suffering a significant injury as your next steps will significantly impact the outcome of your legal claim.
Initial Legal Steps After a Life-Altering Injury
Victims of life-altering injuries will want to file an insurance claim against the party responsible. It is important to note that filing a claim does not mean you are personally suing the individual or company responsible for your injury. It is the insurance company you are holding responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and other life-changing expenses caused by your injury. Before you file an insurance claim, it is important to:
- Seek medical attention: prioritize your health and ensure all injuries are properly documented by medical professionals
- Report the incident: regardless of where your accident occurred, it is important to report the incident. This could mean filing a police report, submitting a workers’ compensation claim, or filling out an incident report at a grocery store.
- Document everything: Keep a detailed record of the incident, your injuries, and any communication related to the event.
- Consult with a reputable Personal Injury Law Firm: having an experienced law firm on your side will protect your rights and expedite the process of securing the maximum compensation for your injury.
Medical Care for Life-Altering Injuries
Life-altering injuries typically require extensive, lifelong treatment. The costs associated with ongoing medical care can be substantial, often totaling millions of dollars, depending on the severity of the injury. For that reason, it is important to consult with an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer to ensure all your medical costs are covered. Medical care for a life-altering injury includes:
- Specialized medical care: regular visits to physicians, neurologists, urologists, and other specialty physicians.
- Rehabilitation: physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are crucial to recovering some extent of normalcy and independence after a life-altering injury.
- Assistive equipment: in certain circumstances, wheelchairs, prosthetics, and orthotics can help those living with life-altering injuries with their daily life functions.
- Medication: pain management medications and other prescriptions are often necessary for the remainder of people’s lives who are victims of traumatic injuries such as brain and head injuries, spinal injuries, or injuries associated with permanent disability.
- Home modification: ramps, widened doorways, accessible bathrooms, and other modifications may be needed to make the living environment manageable.
The Role of Medical Experts in Life-Altering Personal Injury Accidents
Medical experts are certified healthcare professionals with training and experience in different types of medicine, depending on their field of expertise. They provide insight into the physical, mental, emotional, and financial toll a significant injury will have on a person’s life in the future.
Medical experts play a vital role in determining the outcome of personal injury lawsuits. Their testimony, medical records, and report will assess the scope of the injury, the cause of the injury, and the prospective future financial costs the injured victim will most likely face.
Damages Available in Life-Altering Accidents in California
In California, injured victims are allowed to recover two types of compensatory damages in personal injury lawsuits. These damages are referred to as special damages and general damages.
Special damages: these are also known as economic damages, which include medical expenses, lost wages, and all other out-of-pocket expenses incurred from the extreme personal injury. These can include medical bills, lost wages, personal care assistance, transportation, and lifestyle changes.
General damages: often referred to as non-economic damages, these are comprised of intangible losses such as pain and suffering, anxiety, trauma, and depression caused by the injury.
Punitive damages: these are damages awarded to serve as punishment to the at-fault party. Although rare, they can sometimes be claimed, if the extreme injury was caused by another person’s reckless behavior or an intentional act to harm.
Legal Support for Life-Altering Accidents in California
Serious injuries require serious legal strategy. Maison Law is here to support injured victims and their families navigate the legal complexities of recovering compensation for life-altering injuries. For more information on how we can help, contact us by taking a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today.
