Catastrophic Injury

Atlantic City Catastrophic Injury Attorney

In some ways, any accident injury feels catastrophic in the broad sense of the word. However, catastrophic has a specific legal definition. It refers to permanent injuries or conditions that prevent someone from returning to work or seeking future employment. Children who suffer catastrophic injuries cannot go to school, college, trade school, or pursue any type of career.

Losing the ability to contribute to society, earn income, and chase dreams leaves some catastrophic injury victims wrought with mental anguish on top of the physical pain they have suffered. Catastrophic injuries are also costly and sometimes cause severe economic hardship for victims and their families. In some situations, a family member steps into a caretaker role and must cope with the physical and emotional challenges of caring for a loved one.

If you or a member of your family has sustained a catastrophic injury, New Jersey law permits you to seek compensation for damages related to the injury. The compassionate attorneys at The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers understand the challenges you face in the coming weeks, months, and years. We help victims, and their families get the money they need for care and treatment when another party’s negligence led to the injury.

If you live in Atlantic City or the surrounding area, you can reach out to us online or call 609-250-2800 for a free consultation to discuss the details of your catastrophic injury and how our Atlantic City catastrophic injury lawyers can help you seek the justice you deserve.

The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers Advocates for Catastrophic Injury Victims

The dedicated personal injury attorneys at The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers have represented hundreds of injured victims since 2005, including those who have suffered catastrophic injuries. Their extensive experience in the negotiation, settlement, and litigation of claims has led to the recovery of millions of dollars in compensation for their clients from insurance settlements and court-awarded damages.

We cannot guarantee a specific financial outcome for your catastrophic injury claim, but we can promise to fight for you if we accept your case. Our skilled legal team has the knowledge and resources to build a strong case against the other side, and we will aggressively pursue the maximum compensation for your injuries. The catastrophic injury lawyers at The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers are willing and able to take your case to court to get justice.

Many Types of Injuries Can Be Catastrophic

Catastrophic injuries are a particular category of injuries that refer to permanent damage to a victim. Catastrophic victims have permanent disabilities or chronic conditions that prevent them from working. Common injuries that sometimes fall under the ‘catastrophic’ umbrella include:

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) range in their severity and the way they impact a victim. Not all TBIs are catastrophic, but permanent damage to certain areas of the brain can leave victims unable to perform job-related tasks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), severe traumatic brain injuries impact people in four main areas:

  • Cognitive functions, such as struggles with memory and reasoning
  • Motor functions, such as struggles with coordination and the inability to do simple things such as using a computer, get dressed, and other common daily tasks
  • Sensations, including loss of vision or hearing and numbness or tingling in areas of the body
  • Behavior, such as loss of impulse control and increased aggression

Spinal Cord Injury

Most spinal cord injuries are catastrophic because spinal cord cells do not regenerate like other cells throughout the body, resulting in permanent damage that leads to loss of function in the affected area of the body. The brain and the spinal cord make up the central nervous system. The spinal cord carries messages from the brain to the rest of the body, so spinal cord injuries in the neck and upper back are the most likely to be catastrophic. These injuries block most messages from the brain and leave victims with paralysis from the neck down, formally referred to as tetraplegia.

Amputation

After an amputation, some victims can return to their jobs depending on the situation. However, losing an arm or leg often makes it difficult and sometimes impossible for victims to perform certain types of jobs. Traffic accidents are the most common cause of amputation, but agricultural and industrial accidents in the workplace also sometimes lead to amputation.

Back Injury

Those who suffer serious back injuries often face debilitating pain and struggle to find comfort in any position, preventing them from working. Complete recovery after a severe back injury is not as common as one would hope. Treatment often begins with pain management, but many must undergo one or more surgeries that sometimes include fusing vertebrae and inserting hardware. Surgery can help alleviate pain, but many victims face pain and discomfort for life, making it difficult to return to work after a back injury.

Seeking Compensation for Damages After an Atlantic City Catastrophic Injury

Catastrophic injury claims are high-value claims because victims suffer massive economic and non-economic losses. If you bring a lawsuit against the party who caused your injury, you could receive compensation for damages if the jury rules in your favor. Examples of common damages included in New Jersey catastrophic injury claims include:

  • Medical expenses including ambulance and emergency services, surgery, lab tests, scans, x-rays, hospitalization, pain medication, and follow-up visits
  • Specialized treatment with physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, mental health specialists, and others who help patients face the physical and emotional challenges of their catastrophic injury
  • Long-term nursing care, if applicable
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Home modification expenses, such as wheelchair ramps, grab bars, main floor living quarters
  • Replacement services, such as a lawn care service, nanny, personal assistant, laundry service, or cleaning service
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of consortium
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Punitive damages in cases involving willful harm or reckless disregard for the safety of others

Atlantic City Catastrophic Injury FAQs

If you or someone you love has recently suffered a catastrophic injury, you face many challenges in the coming weeks and months. The emotional trauma of dealing with a catastrophic injury sometimes leaves people unsure about their next steps. If the injury resulted from negligence, you have the right to take legal action to recover damages, so it’s best to contact an attorney to determine the best path forward.

Until you have the opportunity to consult with a lawyer about your catastrophic injury, the following answers to frequently asked questions about catastrophic injuries in Atlantic City provide introductory information about the legal process of recovering damages.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Atlantic City Catastrophic Injury Claims?

In most cases, you have two years from the date of injury to bring a lawsuit against the responsible party. New Jersey courts must strictly adhere to the statute of limitations, so failure to take action means victims miss out on the opportunity to recover damages. However, the law does allow for some rare exceptions. Sometimes catastrophic injuries make it impossible for a person to take legal action within the two-year time limit. For example, someone who spent years in a coma or months in a burn unit might not be able to file a lawsuit, especially if they do not have a family member acting on their behalf. Regardless of the length of time since the injury, you should always consult with a lawyer. An experienced catastrophic injury attorney can review the facts of your case and advise if you have grounds for an extension to the statute of limitations.

How Much Compensation Could I Receive for My Atlantic City Catastrophic Injury?

It’s impossible to predict a financial outcome for a claim because each case is different. Generally speaking, catastrophic injury cases are high-value claims because, by definition, they include a lifetime of lost wages and benefits. However, other factors impact the value of a claim. Lawyers, insurance companies, and courts will look at liability. If the other party is clearly liable and you do not share any fault, the value of your claim will be higher. If catastrophic injuries occurred because of intentional harm or gross negligence, you could be eligible for punitive damages that increase the value of your claim. Finally, insurance policy limits sometimes play a role in the amount of money a victim receives. Many people and businesses do not have the financial resources to pay a large settlement or jury award beyond their policy limit.

Should I Accept a Settlement Offer for My/My Loved One’s Atlantic City Catastrophic Injuries?

It’s common for many personal injury claims to settle before going to trial. However, high-value catastrophic injury claims typically go to trial more often than other types of personal injury claims. If you receive a settlement offer, it could be a sign that the insurance company is trying to pay you a smaller amount to avoid a large payout from a jury. Sometimes these offers come before you know the full extent of the injuries. Doctors or lawyers might not even categorize the injury as permanent when you receive an offer. The reality of suffering a catastrophic injury is that you will need money to pay for care and/or treatment and to replace lost wages for you or your loved one for the rest of their life. Accepting an offer means you must waive your right to seek future compensation, so it’s always in your best interest to let a lawyer review the offer.

How Long Before My Atlantic City Catastrophic Injury Case Settles or Goes to Trial?

Each claim has underlying circumstances that impact its timeline, so it’s impossible to predict how long you will need to wait. Catastrophic injury claims take longer than other claims because doctors, lawyers, and other relevant parties need to wait at least a year to understand a victim’s long-term prognosis. Once it’s certain that a patient will not be able to work, lawyers can place an accurate value on a claim and attempt to negotiate a settlement. However, insurance companies will fight to avoid large payouts, and if disputes over liability exist, a case is likely to go to trial. Litigation requires ample preparation time, adding months or years to a catastrophic injury claim. Your attorney can review your case and give you an idea of a realistic timeline for your circumstances.

Can I Afford an Atlantic City Catastrophic Injury Attorney?

Some choose to try to go it alone after suffering serious injuries because they worry about the cost of a lawyer. You need and deserve the expertise of a lawyer to help you recover damages after another party caused a catastrophic injury. You do not have to worry about affordability because catastrophic injury lawyers, like all personal injury lawyers, do not charge upfront retainers. Attorneys who work with injured victims and their families understand the financial challenges of a catastrophic injury. It’s industry standard for personal injury law firms to accept new clients on a contingent fee basis. These agreements allow your lawyer to deduct attorney fees and other costs of representation from any money you receive in a settlement or from a jury verdict in your favor.

How Can an Atlantic City Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Help?

Catastrophic injury cases are notoriously complex, and they are much more than seeking compensation. Money received from a claim often goes to pay for continuous medical expenses and care related to the permanent injury. Catastrophic injury lawyers engage in a wide range of activities to help their clients get the funding they need. For example, attorneys help catastrophic injury victims by investigating their cases and gathering relevant evidence to support their claims. They also enlist the help of experts to help value a case and support a claim. Finally, personal injury lawyers are skilled negotiators who deal with

Gabriel-Levin
Catastrophic Injury Lawyer, Gabriel Levin

insurance companies to reach a settlement or fight for their clients in court when settlement is not an option.

Get the Legal Help You Need from an Atlantic City Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

A catastrophic is a life-changing event that impacts victims and those who love them. It comes with physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and economic challenges. Let the skilled attorneys at The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers guide you through the legal process of recovering damages. If you live in or near Atlantic City, contact us online or call 609-250-2800 for a free case evaluation to learn more about how we can help.


The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers | Atlantic City Office
2 Convention Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Local: 609.250.2800
Toll-Free: 877.825.8542

Atlantic City Office
Attorneys Gabriel Levin and John Mattiacci at The Levin Firm welcome the opportunity to meet and work with you.
Toll Free: 877.825.8542