An unexpected catastrophic injury can completely change your life and the lives of your family members. Following an accident, you may suffer from severe physical, mental, and financial hardship that leaves you and your loved ones with serious questions about the future. These injuries will often require life-long care and long-term complications that can be costly and stressful, which is why a committed personal injury attorney is a smart investment. If a child is the one injured, we also have an excellent child injury lawyer in Smithtown.
You could be entitled to compensation for the damages and losses suffered from your accident. The process for recovering compensation may be daunting and lead to increased stress but Long Island personal injury lawyers could work by your side to aggressively pursue a positive outcome.
What Are Catastrophic Injuries?
The definition of a catastrophic injury often varies, but in most cases these tend to be severe, life-altering injuries that have a tremendous effect on the injured individuals and the loved ones in their life. There is no shortage of examples of catastrophic injuries, but the common examples include:
Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
Spinal cord damage and paralysis
Disfigurement and scarring
Several broken bone injuries
Loss of limb
Loss of eyesight or hearing
Crush injuries
Internal organ damage
Catastrophic injuries also include fatal injuries, which can emotionally and economically devastate the deceased's family. A catastrophic injury often causes chronic pain or permanent disability for individuals, making it harder to complete work, school, and simple daily tasks. A catastrophic injury attorney in Smithtown could assist in calculating all past and future damages that the plaintiff will incur.
Common Causes of a Catastrophic Injury
Accidents often occur when they are least expected. Many things can cause catastrophic injuries but some tend to result in more severe injuries than others. The more common causes of catastrophic injuries include:
Motor vehicle accidents
Slip and falls
Medical mistakes or complications
Workplace accidents, especially in the construction industry
Near-drownings or other water-related injuries
Accidents can be unintentional and may be the result of the carelessness or recklessness of another. A Smithtown catastrophic accident lawyer understands the necessary elements for determining causation and establishing that another party was at fault for what happened. On the other hand, if the accident involves a bus, you can also rely on the help of a Smithtown bus accident lawyer.
Statute of Limitations for Catastrophic Injury Cases
New York law allows an injured individual to seek compensation for catastrophic injuries from all at-fault parties; however, this legal right comes with time restrictions. The statute of limitations differs based on how an injury occurred but the clock will start on the day the accident occurs in most cases.
Under New York Civil Practice Law & Rules § 214, many types of catastrophic injuries have a three-year statute of limitations. Other time limits include two years for a wrongful death case, and two years and six months for a medical malpractice case.
Exceptions and court extensions may be available for the statute of limitations in some instances; however, they should not be relied upon as they usually fall under the court’s discretion. Nevertheless, complying with the relevant statute of limitations is essential in a catastrophic injury case, which a lawyer could help with.
Speak with a Smithtown Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today
Your life could be turned upside down in a matter of seconds due to an unforeseen accident. Unfortunately, there is rarely an amount of money that can make up for a severe injury or death; however, compensation for your losses could help ease some of the stress and financial burdens while also holding the at-fault parties accountable. Having a Smithtown catastrophic injury lawyer by your side could make all the difference in your financial recovery. Call today for a case evaluation and answers to your questions.