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Partner with a Santa Ana catastrophic injury lawyer to get legal counsel and support to negotiate a maximum settlement. Retaining an injury lawyer in Santa Ana from Attorney Jeff Injury Lawyers gives you trustworthy guidance throughout the claims process, from case discovery and negotiations to trial.
What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is any physical injury that permanently incapacitates you or a loved one from undertaking any gainful work.
Recovering from a catastrophic injury is difficult and sometimes impossible, requiring lifelong care and costly treatments. As a result, the injured party suffers prolonged or permanent pain or even loss of function or use of a limb or organ.
According to California Labor Code Section 4660.1, a catastrophic injury may also include permanent loss of vision or hearing.
The following are the common types of catastrophic injuries and their effects:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): A severe brain injury can significantly impact cognitive function, memory loss, changes in personality or behavior, language and speech difficulties, loss of motor skills, and even death.
- Amputation: Catastrophic accidents can result in the loss of a limb, either at the accident scene, or later because of tissue damage. The victim may also suffer serious pain and infections, requiring long-term recovery and rehabilitation.
- Burns: Second- and third-degree burns are often severe and can cause significant tissue and nerve damage, leaving the victims with permanent pain and disfigurement.
- Internal injuries: Injuries to organs, such as the kidney, spleen, stomach, liver, or intestines, can cause internal injuries, often requiring multiple surgeries to repair. Sometimes an internal injury may not be immediately apparent, and the victim may only discover it weeks or months after the accident. That slightly complicates the case, so partnering with a catastrophic accident attorney is critical.
- Spinal cord injury (SCI): An injury to the spine can cause partial or total paralysis that a victim may never recover from or leave them dependent on machines to breathe.
Additionally, an injury to the ears, eyes, or brain may cause one to lose one of these senses, making life challenging for the victim. Sexual abuse is also categorized under catastrophic injuries because it causes the victim long-term emotional pain and suffering.
We have a professional team of personal injury lawyers experienced in catastrophic injury claims like these.
Most Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
People sustain catastrophic injuries in a variety of accidents, including:
Motor vehicle accidents
In 2021, there were 11,951 car accidents in Orange County, in which a total of 11,414 individuals were victims. Most of these accidents are caused by drunk drivers, distracted drivers, defective car parts, or recalled vehicles.
Pedestrian accidents
Drivers must be aware and exercise caution for pedestrians, including people who are walking, traveling on something other than a vehicle (skateboard or roller skates), or wheelchair.
In The Golden State, pedestrians have the right-of-way in most circumstances, especially on crosswalks or sidewalks.
Trucking accidents
Thousands of trucks ply the highways in Orange County every year. Because of their gross weights and speeds, the accidents they cause are usually catastrophic. Santiago Canyon Road, Laguna Canyon Road, and the Ortega Highway (State Route 74) are some of the most dangerous highways, notorious for serious truck accidents.
Motorcycle accidents
Motorcycle accidents are not uncommon in Santa Ana and are among the most catastrophic traffic collisions, resulting in severe injuries or even death. These accidents are mainly caused by loss of control due to intoxication or negligence.
Slip and fall accidents
Uneven staircases or wet floors are examples of dangerous property conditions that may cause a catastrophic slip and fall injury. You can file a claim against the property owner, especially if they failed to display a visible warning sign to caution visitors of a safety hazard.
How a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Santa Ana Can Help
If you’ve been involved in a catastrophic accident, it’s challenging to deal with the medical treatments, maintain your daily living costs, and file a claim.
At Attorney Jeff Injury Lawyers, we can handle the legal process on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery. Our catastrophic accident attorneys are seasoned and knowledgeable in California’s personal injury law, and we’ll leverage that experience and other resources at our disposal to help you get the maximum settlement available.
We’ll gather the evidence to prove negligence or fault on the other party and retrieve financial records (such as medical bills and lost income) to help us calculate your economic and non-economic damages. By partnering with us, you can expect our lawyers to handle the following crucial tasks:
- Evaluate your chances of success
- Handle negotiations with the involved insurance companies
- Gather evidence and determine the defendant’s liability
- Handle court filings and procedural issues, as well as manage case correspondence with the defense counsel
- Represent you in trial
Partner with Attorney Jeff Injury Lawyers After a Catastrophic Accident
We are staunch advocates for injury victims looking for legal support in Santa Ana, CA, and the surrounding areas. Hurt in a wreck? Call us today at Attorney Jeff Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review with one of our professional lawyers.
Catastrophic Injury Claim FAQs
Can an accident victim recover from a catastrophic injury?
In most cases, a catastrophic accident results in long-term or permanent damage. It’s usually difficult or impossible to recover from such a severe injury, and the victim may require extensive and prolonged medical care for the rest of their lives.
How are catastrophic injury claims different from other personal injury claims?
Professional medical and forensic economic testimonies are required to support the claim and help the victim plan for the future. Additionally, since these cases involve considerable monetary care needs, the settlement should be much greater.