Lakeland Catastrophic Injury Attorney

Severe or catastrophic injuries have a profound and lasting impact on the victim’s life. These injuries often result in significant medical expenses, long-term rehabilitation, and the inability to work and enjoy daily activities.

Our team of Lakeland catastrophic injury lawyers at Kogan & DiSalvo is experienced in handling complex legal matters related to such injuries. We advocate for the rights of those who have suffered devastating harm due to the negligence or wrongful actions of others.

What Qualifies As a Catastrophic Injury?

When someone suffers a catastrophic injury, they are typically no longer able to maintain their previous standard of living or engage in daily activities that they enjoyed before the accident. Permanent disabilities may result, impacting mobility, cognitive function, or sensory abilities.

Some of the most common types of catastrophic injuries may include, but are not limited to:

• Amputations: The removal of a limb or extremity, which can lead to challenges in mobility, independence, and emotional well-being.

• Severe Burns: Extensive burns that can cause long-term physical and psychological effects, requiring specialized medical care and often resulting in disfigurement.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Injuries to the brain caused by external force, potentially leading to cognitive impairments, altered behavior, and challenges in daily functioning.

• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord, resulting in paralysis, loss of sensation, and various physical and neurological complications.

• Organ Damage: Severe injuries affecting internal organs, necessitating complex medical interventions and potentially leading to long-term health issues.

• Multiple Fractures: Extensive fractures to bones that may require surgery, prolonged rehabilitation, and can lead to long-term complications.
• Paralysis: Loss of muscle function in parts of or the entire body, profoundly impacting mobility and independence.

In addition to the physical toll, victims frequently endure emotional and psychological challenges, impacting their overall well-being.

Major Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries can stem from various accidents, with negligence often being a contributing factor. Accidents or incidents where these severe injuries commonly occur may include, but are not limited to:

• Car accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bus Accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Medical Malpractice
• Slip & fall accidents
• Defective Products

In addition to road accidents, workplace incidents often pose a serious risk of causing  catastrophic and/or permanent bodily injuries. If an individual experiences a severe workplace injury, they might qualify for disability workers’ compensation benefits under Florida Labor Code 440.15, providing some (limited) financial support during the recovery period.

These cases often stem from reckless actions, be it a driver taking chances on the road, an employer endangering its workers, or a corporation prioritizing profits over people.

If another party is responsible for your injuries, it is crucial to ensure they are held liable. Victims of catastrophic injuries need to recognize that they have legal rights and options to pursue justice and compensation. Our team of personal injury lawyers is here to guide you through the complexities of the legal system, ensuring the responsible parties are held accountable for the life-changing injuries you have sustained.

Building a Catastrophic Injury Case

If you’ve experienced catastrophic injuries due to negligence in Florida, our team of serious injury lawyers is ready to hear your story. We aim to understand the profound impact your injuries have on your daily life and overall well-being. This insight enables us to construct a compelling case that effectively advocates for your comprehensive recovery needs.

If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury due to negligence, building a strong legal case is essential for seeking compensation. Key elements of building your case include:

• Gathering Evidence: Documenting the details surrounding the incident, collecting medical records, and preserving any available evidence.
• Establishing Negligence: Demonstrating that the responsible party acted negligently or failed to fulfill their duty of care, leading to the catastrophic injury.
• Proving Damages: Providing evidence of the severity of your injuries, associated medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
• Timely Action: Adhering to the statute of limitations and filing your lawsuit within the legally required timeframe.

Whether the injury resulted from a car accident, medical malpractice, workplace incident, or any other situation, it is essential to establish who is legally responsible for the harm caused. This involves collecting evidence, such as eyewitness accounts, expert opinions, and documentation of the events leading to the injury.

Determining fault in an accident is not always straightforward. For example, if a defective product leads to a serious injury, multiple companies involved in its creation, distribution, and sale may be subject to lawsuits.

Your legal team must demonstrate that the responsible parties breached a duty of care owed to you as the victim and that this breach directly led to the catastrophic injury. With these elements in place, a compelling case can be built to seek compensation for your medical expenses, ongoing care, loss of income, and the profound impact the injury has had on your life.

What’s My Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?

Several factors will play a pivotal role in determining the value of your catastrophic injury case. This includes:

• The nature of the catastrophic injury you have experienced.
• The impact on your earning capacity.
• The need for nursing care or assistance with daily tasks.
• Your age at the time of sustaining the life-changing injury.
• The emotional effects stemming from the trauma of your accident.

Typically, the more severe the injuries and the longer the medical treatment, the higher the claim for damages.

What Type of Financial Recovery Can I Pursue During a Florida Catastrophic Injury Claim?

If you or a loved one has endured a catastrophic injury in Polk County, Florida, our firm is here to assist you in pursuing compensation for:

• Past and Future Medical Expenses: Including ongoing medical treatments, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work during the recovery period or any long-term disability caused by the catastrophic injury.
• Disability: If the catastrophic injury results in a permanent disability affecting your ability to work or perform daily activities, you may be entitled to compensation for the associated challenges.
• Disfigurement: Compensation for any scarring, disfigurement, or permanent marks resulting from the catastrophic injury.
• Pain and Suffering: Damages for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the catastrophic injury and the recovery process.
• Emotional Distress: Compensation for psychological trauma, anxiety, or emotional distress resulting from the incident.

This compensation not only addresses immediate expenses but also considers the long-term impact on victims’ quality of life. In Florida, proving the severity of your catastrophic injury and the related losses is crucial for obtaining a fair award.

In the unfortunate event that a victim’s catastrophic injuries prove to be fatal, surviving family members may have the right to seek damages through a wrongful death action.

Obtaining legal assistance is necessary to prevent the acceptance of an insurance settlement that might not sufficiently cover your lifelong medical costs. A dedicated Lakeland catastrophic injury lawyer at Kogan & DiSalvo can play a crucial role in advocating for your rights and can help protect you and your family from being taken advantage of by insurance companies.

Contact a Polk County Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today

Individuals grappling with catastrophic injuries or having a family member affected by such injuries are navigating one of the most challenging periods of their lives. If you or a loved one has suffered a life-changing injury in Lakeland, Florida, or the general Polk County area, consulting with a skilled lawyer can be crucial in navigating the legal process and securing the compensation you deserve.

Our commitment includes leveraging every available resource to secure the best possible medical care and the highest recoveries for our clients. Contact our dedicated team of Lakeland personal injury lawyers today by calling or contacting us through our website to schedule a free consultation today.