Catastrophic Injury Attorneys in Oregon
Catastrophic injuries are not the same as the regular accident injuries. These injuries can have far more devastating consequences for the victim and their family.
The injury will usually require long-term medical attention that could range from permanent disability to lifetime dependence on care attendants and extended rehabilitation programs.
Some examples of catastrophic injuries include brain, spinal cord and neck injuries, multiple bone fractures, severe burns, paralysis, quadriplegia, and neurological damage.
You may seek compensatory damages from those responsible, if your catastrophic injury occurred due to someone else’s negligence. Claim for a catastrophic injury should be negotiated properly because these injuries are often accompanied by permanent or long-term disability.
You could suffer from considerable financial strain because of an inherent inability to maintain normal employment after getting injured. Following a catastrophic injury, your first step towards protecting your and your family’s interests should be to get in touch an Oregon catastrophic injury attorney.
A good attorney can help ensure that you focus on your physical and emotional recovery and not worry too much about your financial losses.
The team of catastrophic injury attorneys at Dwyer Williams Cherkoss in Oregon is compassionate and experienced to provide legal assistance and support to accident victims and their family members in their hour of need.
Catastrophic Injury Resources
"For over 52 years I have been protecting the financial future of personal injury victim's in Oregon by fighting for maximum compensation in every case." - Roy Dwyer
Which Injuries are Included in Catastrophic Injuries?
Catastrophic injuries can take place under any number of circumstances. These injuries are primarily categorized as catastrophic because of the enormous impact they have on the lives of the individual who experiences it as well as on the lives of those around him.
Severe disruption of the central nervous system is often a direct result of catastrophic injuries. For instance, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, or severe burn injuries can affect most other systems of the body.
The following are some of the common catastrophic injuries:
- Serious head trauma
- Multiple bone fracture
- Accidental amputation
- Eye injury
- Foot injury
- Neck injury
- Shoulder injury
- Back injury
- Organ damage
- Severe burns
- Spinal cord
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Neurological damage resulting in paralysis
Categories of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injury settlements are aimed at compensating victims for these lifelong disabilities in order to help them move forward with their lives. Here are the key categories of catastrophic injuries that may be caused due to negligence, recklessness, and carelessness of another individual:
1. Spinal cord injury
These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, circulatory issues, respiratory problems, chronic pain, exaggerated reflexes and spasms, loss of bowel, and bladder control.
2. Traumatic brain injury
Lifelong cognitive dysfunction, emotional difficulties, abnormal speech and language, and limited ability to move arms and legs are few long lasting results of this kind of an injury.
3. Injury to internal organs
Ruptured kidneys, spleen, liver, or bowels among other injuries can cause internal bleeding because of a car crash or any other accident, which can be life-threatening.
4. Loss of limbs
Any accident resulting in loss of limbs can cause tremendous physical and emotional challenges for the amputee and loved ones.
5. Severe burn injury
Burn injuries can cause disfigurement, infection, limb loss, and permanent disability depending upon the extent and location of burns.
Oregon Catastrophic Injury Laws
If a catastrophic injury in Oregon occurred due to the intentional or negligent act of another, or by a defective or dangerous product, the victim has a right to be financially compensated.
An Oregon personal injury claim can be an integral factor in providing for long-term medical care and other financial support to restore the victim’s quality of life.
The most important aspect in filing a catastrophic personal injury claim is the fair determination of the value of the claim because of the long-term financial implications a catastrophic injury may have. In addition to economic damages, the victim in Oregon may also be able to recover non-economic damages for their catastrophic injury.
However, there are caps (limits) on ‘non-economic’ damages imposed under Oregon law. A qualified Oregon catastrophic injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for the damages you or your loved ones have experienced, which could include loss of enjoyment of life, lost present and future wages, mental anguish, pain and suffering, long-term medical costs and permanent disability.
What Causes Catastrophic Injuries?
Catastrophic injuries can occur due to a number of reasons, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Sport and recreational activities
- Falls from height
- Medical mistakes
- Defective medical drugs or devices
Which Lifelong costs are Included with a Catastrophic Injury?
You might be unable to work to your full capacity, if you sustain a catastrophic injury that requires long periods of hospitalization and ongoing medical attention.
In some cases, you might be unable to take care of your own daily needs as well. The costs of medical care, daily nursing care, and other related expenses can disrupt your financial position. Here is a list of some of the common costs:
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Counseling
- Emergency medical expenses
- Visiting nursing care
- Medical equipment such as a hospital bed at home, wheel chairs, a lift
- Continuing medical care
- Medications
- Costs to retro-fit a home to accommodate a wheelchair
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Emotional distress
The biggest challenge with catastrophic injury is the fact that resultant effects may persist long after the accident. A person who sustained a traumatic brain injury might develop blinding headaches, cognitive difficulties and memory loss, even if he might seem perfectly normal in appearance.
A victim who suffered a spinal cord injury may face challenges such as respiratory problems long after the injury occurred, which can make it virtually impossible for them to maintain personal relationships or keep a job.
Victims may assume that they will automatically receive a fair compensation from the ‘at fault’ party’s insurance company following catastrophic injury in Oregon. However, the reality can be much harsher than this.
Don’t sign any paper work with the opposition. Don’t let them see your medical records since they could use your past injuries against you. They may offer you some money right then but that will only be enough to replace your car (or a little for the pain and suffering if this accident was not car related) and perhaps a little extra but it will not be enough for rehab which can be tens of thousands of dollars or much more.
On top of this, how about your missed time at work? The point it, you are owed possibly a lot more money ($300,000? – for instance) than what they are offering. You need to pick up the phone.
You should considering working with a skilled Oregon catastrophic injury lawyer who knows how to engage experts to compute the long-term costs of your injury, and come up with solid evidence to establish your claim.
How to Choose an Oregon Attorney for Catastrophic Injuries?
There are substantial financial implications, when a plaintiff’s catastrophic injuries are caused by another person’s reckless, intentional, or negligent conduct.
In these types of injuries, a plaintiff may feel compelled to file a lawsuit to receive compensation from the responsible party, because their entire life, and the well-being of their family depends upon receiving it.
This makes it critical to choose a legal counselor with significant trial experience where catastrophic injuries are involved. Lawyers with trial experience have more leverage while negotiating with the defendant’s insurance defense attorney as compared to those who settle most of their cases.
However, it is important to note that most cases do not go to trial, particularly when the plaintiff has engaged the services of a skillful personal injury lawyer.
Recovering Damages for Catastrophic Personal Injury in Oregon
Oregon catastrophic injury cases are likely to involve substantial damages for the victim. The economic damages may include loss of current and future income, short-term and long-term medical expenses, out-of-pocket expenses, rehabilitative care, and property damage.
However, compensation may also include significant non-economic damages, such as loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, permanent disability and loss of consortium. Catastrophic injuries typically involve a higher value in terms of non-economic damages.
In catastrophic injury cases, it can be harder for a defense attorney to limit the damages awarded to the plaintiff. But in Oregon, the defense may try to show that the accident was partly the plaintiff’s fault.
Under Oregon law, a plaintiff’s ability to recover damages will be reduced by the extent to which they are determined to be partially or comparatively at fault for an accident. If the plaintiff is found to be at 51% or more at fault then they will not have any recovery of damages.
The plaintiff will receive only the proportionate amount of damages if the jury finds that comparative negligence contributed to the accident.
Contact an Experienced Oregon Catastrophic Injury Attorney
An individual’s life can change forever when they suffer from a catastrophic injury. Paralysis, brain damage, amputation, permanent disability, and paresis can leave the victim unable to work and enjoy their life to the fullest.
You could be entitled to significant monetary compensation to cover the expenses and losses related to your catastrophic injury in Oregon. Get in touch with the team of genuine and formidable catastrophic personal injury attorneys at Dwyer Williams Cherkoss.
We can help you determine the best way to pursue the rightful compensation for your damages. We can negotiate with insurance providers and other responsible parties on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve.
Give us a call today at 800-285-8678.