Life after a Catastrophic Injury

Catastrophic injuries are injuries that leave a permanent effect on an individual and result in disabilities. Catastrophic injuries include those that result from industrial accidents, severe car accidents, slip and falls, hotel injuries, and medical malpractice. Accordingly, an injured individual who suffers an accident that causes catastrophic injuries should seek representation by a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer in order to ensure that they receive the proper amount of financial compensation. At Breeden Malpractice and Injury Law, our legal team can help you or your loved one pursue the compensation that you need.

Basis for Compensation

An injured person’s financial compensation is based on the amount of compensatory and non-compensatory damages they suffered as a result of the catastrophic injury. Additionally, depending on the actions of the person who caused the catastrophic injury, the victim may be able to pursue punitive damages which are meant to punish an individual for malicious conduct.

Nevada State Law places no limit on awards for non-compensatory damages, except in cases of medical malpractice. However, punitive damages are limited to $300,000 – or three times the amount of compensatory damages, if the compensatory damages in the case exceed $100,000.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are those damages which are concrete and identifiable, such as bills for emergency medical treatment, follow-up medical treatment, and physical therapy. Additionally, an injured person can also claim past and future lost wages if the accident forced him or her to miss time from work. While compensation for these damages is meant to put the injured person in the position he or she was in prior to suffering the injury, that does not always happen, and a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer may be able to convince the insurance company to offer more money.

Non-Compensatory Damages

Unlike compensatory damages, such as medical bills, non-compensatory damages are meant to compensate an injured individual for past, present, and future pain and suffering he or she incurred due to the catastrophic injury. Additionally, an injured individual can be compensated for any physical inconvenience and permanent physical disfigurement he or she suffered because of the accident.  Finally, an individual could recover compensation for the mental anguish he or she suffered following a catastrophic accident.

How a Lawyer Can help you Pursue an Increased Settlement Offer

Normally, an injured victim is compensated for related medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. For victims of catastrophic injuries, a Las Vegas personal injury attorney could retain a medical expert to testify at trial regarding the cost of your future medical care and the cost of any future physical therapy. If you are not able to work at all because of the injuries you suffered in your accident, expert testimony from an economist regarding your past and future earnings, the cost of vocational rehabilitation, and the cost of occupational therapy could increase the amount of compensatory damages you may claim.

Speak to a Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you were the victim of a catastrophic injury, obtaining legal representation can increase your chances of receiving fair financial compensation. An aggressive lawyer at Breeden Malpractice and Injury Law will fight to ensure that you are properly compensated for your catastrophic injury. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer, please call us today at (702) 819-7770 or contact us online for more information.