Torrance Catastrophic Injuries

Many different types of accidents result in injuries that can be treated and recovered from but others may cause irreparable harm to your daily life and future. Catastrophic injuries can wreak havoc on every aspect of your life. If someone else is responsible or at fault for your catastrophic injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for every way your life has been impacted by the accident that caused your injuries.

The dedicated and trial-proven team at Crockett Law Group has considerable experience recovering damages for injury survivors of nearly every type of accident. With over $100,000,000 in compensation recovered for our clients, you can feel confident in your Torrance catastrophic injury lawyer from the Crockett Law Group. Connect with your highly experienced legal advocate today to discuss the specific details of your case during your 100% free consultation.

What Constitutes a Catastrophic Injury?

There are various definitions as to what qualifies as catastrophic. According to United States Code Section 3796b, if your injuries prevent you from obtaining gainful employment or performing your previous career permanently, this may qualify your injury as catastrophic. There is no specific statute in the state of California that defines a catastrophic injury but it is generally accepted that if your injury has severely impacted your life and will for the foreseeable future, your catastrophic injury lawyer in Torrance can argue that your injuries should qualify.

While the courts may have the final say when determining if your injury meets the term catastrophic, we can build a powerful case to show a judge and jury that your injuries should be categorized as such. Crockett Law Group has extensive experience advocating for injury victims and you can be confident that we will make every case we can to meet these requirements. Some of our previous clients who have had cases of catastrophic injuries have suffered injuries such as:

• Neck injuries resulting in permanent nerve damage
• Back injuries that have left clients partially or completely paralyzed
• Head injuries that have resulted in permanent cognitive deficits or traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Loss of limbs or other body parts such as fingers, ears, or eyes
• Severe scarring or permanent disfigurement that have had severe impacts on our clients’ mental health and their ability to live their lives as normally as they had before the accident

With no specific definition codified in California law, we will work tirelessly to show that your injuries should be considered catastrophic. Keeping accurate records of your medical expenses, costs for mental health treatment, and proof of lost wages or benefits can all help build a strong case. Be sure to share every aspect of how your injuries have affected your life with your catastrophic injury attorney in Torrance who will help us show the court why you are seeking the damages we are requesting.

Pro Tip
Writing a journal of your experiences after your accident or making video diaries of your struggles can be powerful evidence to demonstrate the severity of your injuries.

Catastrophic Injury Statistics

According to data obtained from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 2 million individuals experience traumatic brain injuries every year. These brain injuries often result in limited movement, degrading cognitive functions, or can even develop into fatal injuries. If your loved one lost their life due to an accident caused by the negligence of another, connecting with an award-winning and compassionate wrongful death attorney from Crockett Law Group may be your best opportunity to recover compensation for your loss.

Spinal column injuries can also be considered catastrophic when they result in nerve damage, loss of motor function, or varying degrees of paralysis. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center’s 2023 Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Data Sheet data collected between 2015 to 2022, more than 300,000 people are living with all different types of SCIs. With numbers this high, any injury to your spinal cord may be considered a catastrophic injury.

Another category of injury that can be considered catastrophic is burn injuries. According to the CDC, over 1 million burn injuries are reported every year with at least 90,000 of these cases requiring hospitalization. While most first-degree and some minor second-degree burns may not qualify as catastrophic injuries, third-degree burns, also known as full-thickness burns, may be considered catastrophic due to the likelihood of permanent scarring or loss of use of the affected area.

Long-Term Effects of Catastrophic Injuries

By their very nature, catastrophic injuries may have lifelong consequences for the victims of these injuries. Loss of romantic relationships and chronic pain are just the beginning of the losses that catastrophic injury victims face. Here are some other long-term effects of survivors dealing with catastrophic injuries.

Limited or Non-Existent Employment Options

The likelihood of decreased mobility or loss of limbs means that you may no longer be able to perform your previous career you may have spent half your life building. If you can no longer perform your previous job or are unable to work at all, these losses can and should be demanded in your personal injury lawsuit. Explaining the details of your injury’s effects on your life to your catastrophic injury attorney can help them build the most compelling case possible.

Difficulty Making Ends Meet

Your inability to work or the need to train for a new career means your monthly bills and other daily expenses are likely piling up. While you are waiting for the at-fault party’s insurance policy to settle your case or the length of time it takes to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, you may be getting collections calls or maxing out credit cards, damaging your credit score in the process. If you are the primary financial supporter for your family, your catastrophic injuries can create stress in your home life where you should be able to find peace.

Inability to Care for Yourself

Many catastrophic injuries can leave you unable to perform daily tasks, such as grocery shopping, preparing meals, or even performing basic hygiene tasks. The party responsible for your injuries should be prepared to cover the costs of every associated cost that has risen from your injuries. Your personal injury lawyer with Crockett Law Group will be sure to account for every way your life has been affected by the injuries you have suffered.

Changes in Lifestyle and Daily Habits

Besides losing the ability to perform basic daily tasks, the emotional damage from being unable to enjoy parts of your life because of your injury can sometimes be even more detrimental to your mental health. If your favorite activity was running marathons but you had to have your legs amputated after being struck by a drunk driver, this can be accounted for in the compensation you are entitled to from insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits.

Legal Options for Your Catastrophic Injury

There are multiple options for legal recourse to recover compensation for the injuries you have suffered. Most negligent parties, whether they are individuals, large commercial entities, government agencies or employees, have some sort of liability insurance in place to protect themselves. However, when you suffer an injury devastating enough to qualify as a catastrophic injury, insurance alone may be insufficient to cover all of the damages you have suffered.

As a fault insurance state per California Insurance Code – INS § 11580.1, you may file an insurance claim against the liable party. Remember though, your settlement will be limited by the maximums of the policy that the responsible party has purchased. In cases of catastrophic injuries, if the liable party has only purchased the minimum required insurance, it is highly unlikely that insurance alone will cover all of your costs.

When the insurance policy is insufficient or the insurance company engages in bad faith tactics, it may be necessary to pursue a personal injury lawsuit to cover all the expenses associated with your injuries. Even if you are concerned that you do not have the energy to fight in court for the compensation you deserve, you can breathe easier. Your catastrophic injury attorney in Torrance from Crockett Law Group can handle all the legalities while you focus on your physical, mental, and emotional recovery.

Note
A common tactic for liable parties to avoid their financial responsibility is to blame the injury victim for the accident. Even if you are partially at fault for your injuries, under California’s pure comparative negligence under California Civil Code 1714, you can share part of the blame for your accident and still be able to collect compensation for your injuries. However, you should be aware that your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of blame you carry for the accident.

The Benefits of a Torrance Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Working on Your Claim

Collect Pertinent Evidence

Presenting compelling evidence to the court is essential for a positive outcome. With legal counsel from our firm handling your case, we can conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of your injuries, collect and analyze evidence that is critical to your case, and hire expert witnesses and accident reconstructionists to explain the intricacies of your case in plain English.

Negotiate for a Settlement Out of Court

Be wary of insurance companies or other entities that offer quick settlement offers. While you may be desperate for cash to cover your mounting expenses, accepting initial offers from insurance companies or individuals without having them looked over by your knowledgeable and strategic catastrophic injury lawyer can leave you on the hook for future medical expenses or other damages that you didn’t consider. These offers may be tempting but quick offers, even when the amount is relatively significant, if you accept them, it absolves the liable party from any future expenses that could leave you in an even more difficult financial situation.

Represent You if Your Case Goes to Trial

Just because you can get a payout from the insurance company does not mean you may not also need to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Even when insurance pays out on your claim, likely, it may only cover a small fraction of your damages. We can fight for your right to additional compensation in court by accurately assessing all the ways your life has been impacted and demanding compensation for every loss you have suffered.

Tip
According to Rule 1.5 Fees for Legal Services by the State Bar of California, you can retain professional counsel from Crockett Law Group under a contingency agreement. This means you do not have to pay anything upfront for our legal services and will only have to pay our attorney’s fees when we recover compensation for your case. Ranging between 20% to 40% based on the complexity of your case, you will know exactly how much of your compensation will go to our legal fees.

The Different Categories of Damages that can be Recovered for a Catastrophic Injury Case

The damages that you can sue for related to your catastrophic injuries in Torrance are usually divided into two or three categories. The first two categories are considered compensatory damages and you are entitled to them when your injuries are the result of another’s negligence. The possible third category of punitive damages is left to the discretion of the court and is not always awarded in all personal injury cases.

Economic Damages

Economic damages refer to tangible costs that you have incurred that are directly related to your injuries. These expenses are easily calculated through bills, receipts, and estimates. Some common examples of economic damages include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Vehicle repair costs
• Personal property damage
• Future medical expenses
• Prescription drugs
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Loss of benefits from your employer
• Loss of household services
• Child care costs

Non-Economic Damages

These damages are more difficult to calculate because they are intangible and do not have predetermined financial values. However, there are methods to assign values to these intangible losses so that we can add these costs to maximize your compensation. Examples of non-economic damages include:

• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Feelings of fear, anxiety, and apprehension
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Mental health issues
• Emotional distress
• Damage to personal relationships

Punitive Damages

Designed to punish liable parties for especially malicious, egregious, or intentionally dangerous conduct, punitive damages are only issued by order of the court. While these damages can significantly increase your payout, you should never expect them unless your attorney with Crockett Law Group suggests they may be possible in your case. Also known as exemplary damages in California, these damages are codified in California Civil Code Section 3294.

Great customer service willing to answer any questions at hand. Definitely recommend giving them a call if you’re in any legal situation and don’t know where to start.

Paul FloydCalifornia Accident Victim

Find the Help You Need with an Experienced Torrance Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Many accident survivors and injury victims are concerned that their injuries are not serious enough to be worthy of a lawsuit. While the manner and severity of your injuries are important factors, if you believe your injuries rise to the level of catastrophic and have had a considerably detrimental impact on your life, you may likely have a good case for compensation. Retaining a personal injury attorney with top ratings and who has extensive experience in the California judicial system can be your best first step in rebuilding your life.

Crockett Law Group has dozens of five-star reviews and our law firm has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. When your injuries have devastated your life, hiring a dedicated and highly in-demand Torrance catastrophic injury attorney from the Crockett Law Group might be your best opportunity to maximize your compensation. With our legal team advocating for your rights, you can find the courage and confidence you need to move forward by connecting with our law firm and filling out our convenient contact form now or calling our office to schedule your risk-free, 100% no-cost consultation as soon as today.

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