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Irvine Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
When an individual sustains a catastrophic injury (en español las lesiones traumáticas y heridas), such as a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, from an incident involving a negligent defendant, it is exceedingly important for the individual to obtain representation from a qualified Irvine catastrophic injury attorney. This is important because an injury attorney in Irvine who has handled similar types of injuries will know what to do in terms of analyzing the incident, determining who is at fault or liable for causing the injuries, and then present all of the damages on behalf of the injured individual. These cases can be exceedingly complex due to injuries that can last a lifetime.
Since catastrophic injuries are life-altering and compensation for future medical care and loss of earnings must be obtained, an experienced advocate is necessary to represent the best interest of the catastrophically injured individual.
How to Determine a Catastrophic Injury
A catastrophic injury in Irvine can be caused by multiple sources, including vehicle collisions and “slip and fall” accidents. The injuries sustained and the recovery options from these types of incidents can vary greatly, even in similar types of accidents.
The only true requirement for an injury to be classified as a catastrophic injury is that the injury or injuries be severe. For example, severe burns to the body qualifies as a catastrophic injury. In most cases, permanence of the condition caused by the injury, is not required for an injury to be categorized as catastrophic.
Common Types of Injuries
Spinal cord injuries occur when communication between the body and brain are blocked because of damage to the spinal cord, particularly to the neck area. This type of injury may not necessarily cause paralysis, which is the loss of the ability to move in a part or parts of the body, but can impact a person’s motor skills and reflexes. Currently, paralysis is not reversible, although technology is advancing to suggest that it may become possible in some circumstances.
Amputation is the removal of a portion of or all of a limb or extremity. Typically, amputation occurs via surgical procedure because a limb begins to die when blood does not flow to and through it properly; however, during extremely serious motor vehicle accidents, amputation could occur.
Disfigurement occurs when one’s appearance has been permanently and significantly altered. Most commonly, disfigurement caused by a catastrophic injury takes the form of scarring. Additionally, injuries that result in the death of an individual are inherently catastrophic injuries.
What Are Unique Aspects of These Cases?
Due to the unique type of injury characterizing catastrophic injury cases, such as paralysis, spinal cord injury, or traumatic brain injury, the life-altering aspect of the injuries demands a specific way of presenting the case. This includes analyzing all of the damages to be presented on behalf of the catastrophically injured individual. Since these injuries can be life-long and devastating, an experienced attorney who has previously handled catastrophic injury cases can present the case in such a fashion to include compensation for long term medical treatment, care, and loss of income.
This requires a particular level of experience in the attorney who is representing the catastrophically injured individual. The attorney must be able to completely analyze the full nature and extent of the unique medical injuries and need for specialized medical care and treatment in order to represent the best interest of these unique clients.
How Can an Attorney Help?
Since our Irvine catastrophic injury lawyers have represented catastrophically injured individuals, we are familiar with the unique challenges that such an individual will face into the future. We will monitor the medical treatment of the particular client, and assist to determine the client’s rehabilitation needs, including involving vocational and rehabilitation experts to answer questions and assist the client with their future needs.
Civil Injury Laws in Irvine
California courts use a pure comparative negligence standard in all civil injury cases. That standard permits a victim to recover for injuries sustained because of another’s negligence; however, the amount of compensation awarded is reduced by the percentage of fault that is attributable to the victim. This standard is not applied to settlements that are reached outside of court.
In California, an injured person has two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit against the person or people responsible for the injury. If the accident was caused against a city, county, or state government entity, the individual only has six months to file a lawsuit in court.
Contact an Irvine Catastrophic Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one were involved in an incident that resulted in a catastrophic injury, it is imperative to contact a Irvine catastrophic injury attorney. It is important to contact an attorney who is aware of the deadlines that must be met, the requirements to establish that there was a catastrophic injury, and the burden required to prove liability in these cases. If you have been significantly hurt, after seeking medical attention immediately, make sure to hire a lawyer with experience who will focus on your legal rights while you focus on recovering.