Accidents can happen quickly and without any warning, leaving those who have received injuries to pick up the pieces afterward. While some injuries may be minor, many people have received severe, catastrophic injuries that changed their lives forever.
If you or a loved one have experienced an accident that left you with catastrophic injuries, you deserve to receive the maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, bills, and more. Contact the law offices of Florin|Roebig today to schedule a free consultation to review your case.
Understanding Catastrophic Injuries
Injuries can occur in many everyday situations, such as car or trip-and-fall accidents. These accidents can lead to many types of injuries, ranging from mild to severe and even catastrophic.
“Severe and catastrophic injuries can cause a significant interruption into not only the victim’s life but the lives of their families as well. A top-rated Florida injury lawyer can help ease the pressure and stress of the legal process,” explains Chad K. Florin, an esteemed lawyer of Florin|Roebig.
According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research (NCCSIR), catastrophic injuries include any injury that leads to death, injuries that result in permanent functional disability, or injuries that lead to temporary functional disability with chances of full recovery.
Types of catastrophic injuries that can occur in an accident include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Neck damage
- Vision and hearing loss
- Birth injuries
- Nerve Damage
- Death
Injury Statistics for The United States
The following are statistics gathered for injuries in the United States.
- In 2022, there were 227,039 injury-related deaths that could have been avoided.
- 63 million people went to the Emergency Room with injuries in 2022.
- There were 4,695 work-related preventable deaths.
- In 2022, there were 178,400 preventable deaths that occurred from accidents in the home.
Ways A Catastrophic Injury Can Impact Your Life
For anyone involved in an accident that leads to severe and catastrophic injuries, far-reaching impacts can touch many parts of their lives. These types of injuries can affect everything from your work capabilities to your home and family life.
Various ways an accident can affect your life include:
- The loss of your job
- The loss of your ability to make money
- The cost of your pain and suffering
- The loss of your autonomy
- The loss of your spouse or partner
- Having to adjust your house to accommodate your injuries/disability
- Needing to find a new method of transportation
- The development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
The Importance of Legal Representation
Accident victims in Florida are legally allowed to file insurance claims and represent themselves in a legal lawsuit, but there are many benefits to hiring a Florida Catastrophic injury lawyer. The legal process can be complicated to understand, and any mistake can ruin your shot at compensation.
Hiring an attorney specializing in catastrophic injuries is even more beneficial due to their knowledge of the specific laws surrounding these cases. These lawyers are up-to-date with the latest rulings and law developments and will understand exactly what your case needs to succeed.
Other benefits of hiring legal representation for your catastrophic injury claim include the following:
- Evidence collection and investigation: If you have never been in an accident, you may not know what to do or gather. A specialized catastrophic injury attorney will know precisely what to do.
- Managing insurance companies: Attorneys are skilled at working with insurance companies and ensuring they do what they are legally obligated to do.
- Increased chances of getting fair compensation: When you hire an attorney, they will automatically increase your chance of getting the compensation you need. You may be vulnerable after your accident and could be taken advantage of by companies trying to save money.
- Legal knowledge and expertise: Catastrophic injury attorneys are current on all rulings regarding these accidents and their claims and can keep up with the critical, immovable deadlines.
- Support: After being in an accident that leads to catastrophic injuries, you may be feeling distraught and overwhelmed. Attorneys specializing in these cases can be a great source of emotional support and can give you resources for further help.
Catastrophic injury cases are complex because many people may be involved. If it was medical malpractice, for instance, the doctors, hospital, insurance company for the hospital and their lawyers would all be involved.
“Many people do not understand the importance of legal representation until it is too late. Experienced Florida injury attorneys, such as those at Florin|Roebig, can greatly impact your case,” informs Chad K. Florin.
If you have questions about the legal process regarding catastrophic injury claims and lawsuits, contact the law offices of Florin|Roebig today for a free consultation.
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The Legal Process for Catastrophic Injury Claims
After the initial aftermath of the accident that led to your catastrophic injury, you will need to get ready to begin the legal process for catastrophic injury claims. This can feel like a daunting task, but the following are steps that you should be prepared for:
Contact a Florin|Roebig Catastrophic Injury Attorney
Contacting a reputable lawyer, such as the Florin|Roebig law firm, is crucial from the beginning. Your attorney will help you gather all necessary documentation, advise you on filing your paperwork, and keep track of important filing deadlines.
Gather Evidence
You, your lawyer, or a trusted loved one must begin taking photos and videos of the accident scene and your injuries as soon as possible. Building a solid case starts with proving that negligence occurred; these photos and videos will help prove it.
Continue or Complete Your Medical Care
You will need to continue with physical therapy or other medical care until they tell you you have completed it. This will help not only yourself and your healing but also your insurance claim or lawsuit.
File an Insurance Claim
Once you have secured an attorney and gathered your evidence, you need to contact your insurance representative. The sooner you begin the insurance process, the sooner you can receive compensation to cover your damages, such as medical expenses and other bills.
Negotiate a Settlement
Once you file your insurance claim, you must wait for your insurance provider to process it. Generally, your insurance company will provide you with a monetary amount they are willing to pay you; however, your Florin|Roebig attorney will be able to negotiate with them until a fair settlement can be reached.
File a Lawsuit
In the event that your attorney is unable to reach a fair settlement agreement with your insurance provider, it will be necessary to proceed to file a lawsuit. This takes the matter from the hands of your insurance company and into the courts, where your Florin|Roebig attorney will be equipped to present your claim to a judge.
Compensation in Catastrophic Injury Cases
Catastrophic injury cases are unique because they can involve ongoing medical care, such as long-term care. This can become an incredible financial burden to the person or people in the accident and their families, who need their support and assistance.
Insurance claims and lawsuits are methods of retrieving damages, which can be financial or non-financial in nature. The money from these two separate options can be used to cover:
- Doctor’s appointments
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Specialized medical devices
- Adaptations to your house
- Current and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages from missing work
Compensation can be affected by the severity of your injuries, how long you have been out of work, and more. Contacting Florin|Roebig’s attorney from the beginning can help ensure you get the maximum possible compensation.
Challenges in Catastrophic Injury Cases
If you have been severely or catastrophically injured in an accident, you are probably aware of how complex the legal system can be. Any case that involves injury can be complicated, but catastrophic injury cases can be even more challenging due to a number of variables.
Some of the variables that can make a catastrophic injury case complicated include the following:
- Establishing negligence and then linking that negligence to the accident.
- Establish that the defendant had a duty of care.
- Being able to demonstrate that there was a breach of care.
If you have any questions about these challenges faced in catastrophic injury cases, please contact the attorneys of Florin|Roebig.
How Florin|Roebig Can Help with Your Catastrophic Injury Claim
After an accident that leads to catastrophic injuries, deciding which personal injury attorney to represent you and your claim is a critical decision that should be made with care. The attorneys of Florin|Roebig have won over $1 billion for clients and have been representing them with compassion for forty years.
Benefits that you can gain by hiring a Florin|Roebig catastrophic injury lawyer include:
Catastrophic Injury Case Experience
The experienced injury lawyers of Florin|Roebig have been representing catastrophic injury victims both in and out of court for four decades. Our attorneys have seen everything insurance companies are ready to do to save money, so they are prepared to champion your claim.
A Strong Personal Injury Claim
With a long history of successfully representing many catastrophic injury victims, including winning over $1 billion for our clients, the Florin|Roebig team of lawyers understands what it takes to create a strong, winning claim. From the evidence you collect to how you fill out your paperwork, our lawyers know how to make a solid catastrophic injury claim.
Negotiating A Fair Settlement
Typically, catastrophic injury settlements can be managed efficiently outside the court system. However, your Florin|Roebig attorney is prepared to explain your claim to a judge when your insurance does not cooperate, or you cannot get the negligent party to pay your damages.
Practical Advice for After a Catastrophic Injury
Anyone in an accident that leads to catastrophic injuries may be shocked and unsure of what to do next. The following are practical steps to take in the aftermath of an accident:
- Seek medical attention immediately by calling 911 to ensure a medical team checks you out.
- Collect evidence as soon as possible by photo and recording.
- Contact your insurance company so they can begin your catastrophic injury claim immediately.
- Protect your legal rights by hiring a Florin|Roebig attorney to ensure you avoid costly mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a catastrophic injury in Florida?
According to Florida state law, a catastrophic injury is defined as any injury that has long-lasting or permanent effects, including disfigurement, disability, or severe scarring.
What is a catastrophic injury claim?
People or their families file a catastrophic injury claim to recover damages related to the accident, such as medical expenses and lost wages.
Can you sue for pain and suffering in Florida?
Yes, in Florida, accident victims are able to sue for compensation for their pain and suffering, which can be mental, physical, and emotional.
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Get The Help You Deserve For Your Injury
Being involved in an accident that causes you or a loved one to receive catastrophic injuries can change the rest of your life. If these injuries included a permanent disability or led to someone’s death, you may be in need of compensation to cover the costs.
This may be a scary and traumatic time in your life, but you do not have to go through it alone. The law offices of Florin|Roebig are top-rated not only for our ability to secure the compensation you need but also for the compassion with which we treat our clients. Call our offices today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
If you or someone you care about has been in a major accident and you are prepared to employ one of the most experienced legal teams in Florida, contact our offices today.
- Call our phone number 24/7
- Visit our website, florinroebig.com
- Questions can be emailed to [email protected]