Lafayette Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Some injuries completely alter the course of your life. If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury because of someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to file a lawsuit. A Lafayette catastrophic injury lawyer could help you determine whether you have a strong case and represent you throughout the process to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Not only can compensation hold the responsible person accountable for their actions, but it can also cover your medical bills and lost income while you recover.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
As a Lafayette attorney can further explain, there is no formal definition or legal category for catastrophic injuries. Instead, the term refers to any type of injury with a serious and permanent effect on your life, such as a disability or significant scarring. These injuries can include:
- Vision or hearing loss
- Severe burns
- Organ damage
- Limb amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
All of these conditions usually require both immediate medical treatment and some type of ongoing care.
Catastrophic injuries can happen in many ways, including car accidents, falls, defective products, and sports accidents. The type of accident and the circumstances surrounding it will affect your legal options for pursuing compensation.
What Compensation Can a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Help Get?
The two major categories of damages are compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages are the more common type and include economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages pay for specific expenses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and replacement services like house cleaning or childcare. If a catastrophic injury prevents you from returning to work, compensation should also cover estimated lost future earnings. Damages should also include other projected future healthcare expenses, including physical therapy and ongoing treatment.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic compensation covers intangible losses like physical pain, emotional distress, or the inability to do things you previously enjoyed. To calculate non-economic damages, courts often assign a multiplier based on the severity of the injuries, then multiply it by the total economic damages. This multiplier is likely to be higher in a catastrophic injury case than in a personal injury lawsuit involving minor injuries.
Punitive or Exemplary Damages
Punitive damages, also called exemplary damages in Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-21-102, can only be awarded by a jury when the at-fault party acted maliciously or with no concern for the consequences of their actions. Exemplary damages are limited to the amount of compensatory damages awarded. While rare, a jury might consider these damages in situations involving drunk driving or hit-and-run accidents, or if the injury was caused by a violent crime.
A knowledgeable Lafayette attorney could examine the circumstances of a catastrophic injury and its resulting losses to determine what kinds of damages may be available.
Discuss Your Catastrophic Injury Case With a Lawyer in Lafayette Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic, life-changing injury, you are likely dealing with a combination of physical pain, anxiety, and financial stress. Filing a lawsuit can result in compensation that eases the financial burden of your injuries and allows you to focus on your health.
A Lafayette catastrophic injury lawyer could help you get the compensation you deserve. Amy G Colorado Injury Firm experience needed to support you, so schedule a free case evaluation today.
