Altoona Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

When a severe injury occurs, the change to your quality of life can be dramatic. Tasks that were once an afterthought, like changing clothes or driving to work, can be difficult – if not impossible.

If you sustained a catastrophic injury through no fault of your own, you deserve compensation for the cost of adjusting to your new life. By taking legal action against the person that injured you, it could be possible to recover monetary damages. An Altoona catastrophic injury lawyer could guide you through the process of filing an injury suit. Reach out to a compassionate personal injury attorney today to schedule a consultation.

Examples of Catastrophic Injuries

A catastrophic injury is a general term that describes an injury with life-long consequences. These injuries can occur without warning, leaving an injured person with a life-changing impairment in the blink of an eye.

While there is no comprehensive list of catastrophic injuries, some of the most common examples include:

• Burns
• Amputation
• Nerve damage
• Spine injuries, resulting in paralysis
• Brain damage
• Disfigurement
• Loss of hearing
• Loss of sight

How Do Catastrophic Injuries Occur?

A catastrophic injury could happen at any time. These injuries are often unexpected, occurring during everyday activities such as working. A dedicated Altoona catastrophic injury attorney will work to identify the cause of a victim’s injury and establish that the defendant was the at-fault party.

Some of the most common causes of a catastrophic injury include:

• Car accidents
• Falls from heights
• Accidents at work
• Boat collisions
• Defective products
• Fires

What Damages are Available in a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit?

With some exceptions, an individual has the right to pursue damages from the responsible person or entity. These damages are intended to compensate the plaintiff for the physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by the injury.

Damages in a catastrophic injury case fall into two general categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages include things like hospital bills or missed paychecks. They are measurable, meaning they have a defined value evidenced by an invoice or pay stub.

Non-economic damages are different in that they are difficult to quantify. These damages, which include pain and suffering, aim to compensate a victim for their physical and emotional injuries. Ultimately, a jury must consider the arguments made by a skilled catastrophic injury lawyer in Altoona before deciding on the value of these damages.

The damages available in a catastrophic injury case include:

Medical Bills

The cost of past and future medical bills is a major component of any catastrophic injury lawsuit. These damages include payment for emergency room bills as well as ongoing treatment.

Home Renovations

When a catastrophic injury requires a wheelchair or other mobility device, an injury victim may need home renovations to make it accessible.

Lost Wages

Any time a plaintiff misses work because of an accident takes money directly out of their pocket. Recoverable damages could include not just prior lost wages but also compensation for the plaintiff’s diminished earning potential in the future.

Talk to an Altoona Catastrophic Injury Attorney As Soon As Possible

It may be physically and financially challenging to cope with a catastrophic injury. While compensation is never guaranteed, an experienced Altoona catastrophic injury lawyer could have the skills needed to help you recover your damages.

To explore your legal options, contact us to schedule an initial consultation with your local and experienced attorneys at Marcus & Mack today.