Midland Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Catastrophic injuries from accidents can have devastating long-term consequences for the injured person and their loved ones. Many catastrophic injuries are caused by negligence or a failure of some other party to use reasonable care.

If you or a loved one have suffered a major injury in an accident, you should contact a Midland catastrophic injury lawyer as soon as possible. A reliable personal injury attorney can help you determine if you have a valid legal claim.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries cover a wide-range of injuries that are considered life threatening or have the potential to cause long-term disabilities. These injuries may also require multiple surgeries or extensive physical therapy. Some examples of catastrophic injuries are:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs);
• Paralysis, including quadriplegia or paraplegia;
• Neck and spinal cord injuries;
• Amputation;
• Loss of vision;
• Severe burns;
• Injuries to internal organs, which can cause internal bleeding; and
• Multiple bone fractures.

Catastrophic injuries are particularly devastating as they can lead to a reduced quality of life, physical limitations, and even mental health problems.

Certain catastrophic injuries have a very low chance of the victim making a full recovery. For example, due to adult brain cells’ inability to regenerate, many TBIs can permanently impact the victim’s cognitive abilities or their ability to communicate. In addition to significant medical bills, these injuries can also drastically limit a victim’s ability to work or provide for their family. Consulting with a Midland attorney can help an injured victim understand if their injury is considered catastrophic or not.

Main Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

Many different types of accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries, including:

• Motor vehicle crashes, including cars, trucks, motorcycles or boats;
• Workplace accidents;
• Slip and falls;
• Medical malpractice;
• Defective products;
• Physical attack or assault and battery;
• Bicycle or pedestrian accidents;
• Sports injuries.

When an accident is caused by negligence, the injured victim may have a valid personal injury lawsuit. They must first establish that the defendant breached a duty of care owed to the injured party. For example, motorists have a duty to use reasonable precautions and obey traffic laws. If a driver causes a catastrophic injury during an accident as a result of reckless driving, the injured victim will likely have a valid negligence claim.

However, the accident victim’s ability to file a lawsuit does not last forever. The state’s deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years, under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. Failing to file a lawsuit during the required statute of limitations will lead to a court dismissing the claim. A Midland lawyer can help victims of catastrophic injuries comply with these filing deadlines.

Potential Damages From Catastrophic Injuries

Victims of catastrophic injuries can pursue various types of damages to compensate them for their losses and suffering. Compensatory damages are typically categorized as economic or non-economic. Economic damages have a set dollar value and include costs like:

• Medical bills or physical therapy costs;
• Lost wages;
• Lost future earnings or economic opportunities; and
• Property damage.

Non-economic damages are losses that are immeasurable or harder to quantify, such as:

• Emotional distress;
• Mental anguish;
• Pain and suffering;
• Lost companionship with a partner;
• Disfigurement;
• Lost enjoyment of life.

If the person who caused the accident was grossly negligent, the victim may also recover exemplary damages under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.009. A court may deem that a defendant was grossly negligent if their actions involved an extreme degree of risk or if they consciously disregard the safety of others.

To better understand the potential damages from a catastrophic injury, victims should consult with a Midland lawyer.

Contact a Midland Attorney to Discuss Catastrophic Injuries

Dealing with the aftermath of a catastrophic injury can take an emotional toll on victims and their families. You should reach out to a Midland catastrophic injury lawyer as soon as possible if you believe you suffered a serious injury due to another person’s negligent actions.

An attorney can help you gather evidence to support your claim and ensure you comply with applicable state laws and filing requirements.