Charlotte Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Charlotte Catastrophic Injury Attorney

Helping Accident Victims Recover Compensation

It only takes a split second for a life-altering injury to occur. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe burns, and amputations necessitate extensive medical treatment and wholesale changes to a person’s lifestyle. That is why it is important to retain experienced legal representation to help you get the compensation you need to begin moving forward with your life.

At the law firm of DeVore, Acton & Stafford, P.A., we act as dedicated advocates for those who suffered serious injuries due to the reckless or negligent behavior of another person. We understand the impacts that catastrophic injuries have not only on you but on your loved ones as well. With the potential for mounting medical bills, loss of work, and changes to your lifestyle, the last worry you should have is whether the attorney you hire has your interests in mind. Our team has decades of experience and is ready to work for you.

Catastrophic Injuries

Injuries can happen to anyone at any time, but understanding different types of injuries can help you identify the potential future care that you or an injured loved one may need. It can also help you look in your search for a knowledgeable and experienced attorney.

Like other personal injury experiences, claims can be filed against the negligent party in court for those injuries that are deemed catastrophic. The claim-filing process is the same for any type of personal injury. However, catastrophic injuries are those in which the victim is unlikely to fully recover from the injuries suffered. These claims can be complicated because such injuries often require:

• Long-term medical care
• Possible home modifications
• Rehabilitation
• Limitations on the type of work, if any, that the injured party can perform

When filing claims for these types of injuries, your attorney must take into account these long-term ramifications. In such claims, the injured party is entitled to medical coverage, compensation for past and future lost wages, and much more. A skilled attorney can use their resources to thoroughly investigate each of these areas, thus maximizing the clients’ recovery.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

While any injury can be life-altering, injuries deemed catastrophic often impact parts of the body that influence a person’s physical and motor functions. Types of catastrophic injuries that one may experience could include:

• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain injuries
• Burn injuries
• Hearing loss
• Vision loss
• Paralysis
• Crush injuries
• Internal injuries
• Amputations

These injuries are examples of those that one could suffer, but this is not an extensive list.

Laws Surrounding Catastrophic Injuries

A common misconception is that a personal injury is the result of some major experience, such as a devastating car accident. However, injuries can occur for any number of reasons, including something as simple as a careless mistake or a defect in a product. No matter how your catastrophic injury is caused, you may be entitled to compensation from the negligent or liable party involved. Sometimes, more than one party may be at fault. Our attorneys are skilled and experienced in investigating all possible sources of recovery.

To hold another accountable for your injuries under the law, you must prove that there was a breach in an individual or entity’s obligation to care for the safety and protection of others and that they failed to reasonably do so. For example, suppose you are involved in a car accident. The car that hit you was operated by a driver who may have been looking at their phone instead of the road. They failed to reasonably protect others on the road by failing to abide by safe driving protocols.

In any catastrophic injury case, the burden of proof must include five elements for it to be a successful claim. The five elements include:

• Duty. In many cases, there is an obligation for one person or entity to protect others, more commonly referred to as a duty of care. In the above example of the car accident, there is a clear duty of care by the operator of the motor vehicle. Anyone who operates a motor vehicle is responsible for doing so in a way that does not put others at risk of injury.
• Breach. A breach occurs when the person who has a duty of care chooses an action or fails to take an action, causing harm to others. In the example, the person choosing to look at their phone instead of the road chose an action that caused a failure in their duty of care.
• Cause. This is the plaintiff’s claim and presentation of proof that their injuries were caused by the failure in the duty of care. Unfortunately, some personal injury cases may be met with resistance by some entities, such as insurance companies, who will want to argue that the injuries were pre-existing. However, in catastrophic injury cases, there is a higher likelihood that this argument will not occur, as the cause of such injuries is more evident.
• Scope. This refers to the predictability of injuries given the circumstances of the cause. In a car accident, the injuries suffered due to the collision of two vehicles fit the scope of potential injuries that could occur.
• Damages. This is what you may be seeking as a result of the physical injuries that you suffered. When calculating damages, you will take into consideration your current lost wages, future lost wages, long-term healthcare needs, changes in lifestyle, and more.

For those who suffer catastrophic injuries and hope to recoup damages resulting from them, North Carolina has very strict policies on contributory negligence. This means that even if you can successfully prove the other party was at fault, the defendant is able to argue and provide evidence that you also were negligent and, therefore, contributed to your injuries. If you were also at fault, you will not be entitled to damages. Therefore, it is important that, when speaking with your personal injury attorney, you are honest and forthcoming with all the details of your case so that your attorney understands the circumstances. The largest challenge is proving that the other party was 100% responsible for the injuries you suffered.

Whether you were the victim of a motor vehicle accident, have suffered harm as the result of medical malpractice or hospital negligence, or have been hurt as the result of a defective product, our North Carolina injury lawyers will act as strong advocates in your case. We know how to fight for the full and fair compensation you need to address any immediate issues, as well as help you plan for the future.

Charlotte Catastrophic Injury Attorneys

Catastrophic injuries are life-altering. The team at DeVore, Acton & Stafford, P.A., understands these challenging and difficult circumstances. Our team advocates for the needs of our clients to help them recover any damages they may be entitled to. Whether residing in Charlotte or elsewhere in North Carolina, our attorneys have the skill and experience to help you with your catastrophic injury claim. While we cannot undo the accident, we approach your case with the compassion and empathy you deserve. Contact our offices today and speak with one of our attorneys. We offer an initial consultation to help you make sense of your claim.