New York Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Our New York City Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You

When an accident causes severe injuries, your life can be turned upside down. Catastrophic injuries can result in permanent disabilities and a lifetime of medical care. You may be unable to work and provide for your family, and you may need to learn new skills to adapt to your new life.

At Irwin Law Firm, our New York City catastrophic injury lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We know how to build strong cases that get results. When we take on your case, you can have peace of mind knowing we will be with you every step of the way.

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, call (212) 203-4529 or contact us online for a free consultation with our New York City catastrophic injury attorney.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury is a severe injury that results in permanent disabilities. These injuries often require long-term medical treatment, including ongoing rehabilitation, and may leave victims unable to work or care for themselves.

Some examples of catastrophic injuries include:

• Amputation
• Broken bones
• Burn injuries
• Electrocution
• Head injuries
• Internal injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Organ damage
• Paralysis
• Severe lacerations
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Vision and hearing loss

These injuries can be caused by a variety of accidents, including car accidents, construction accidents, defective products, and more. When these accidents are caused by someone else’s negligence, victims have the right to seek compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

What Is the Difference Between Catastrophic and Severe Injuries?

While catastrophic injuries are considered to be severe, not all severe injuries are considered to be catastrophic. There are three main factors that distinguish a catastrophic injury from a severe injury:

• Long-term or permanent
• Significantly impact the victim's ability to live a normal life
• Require extensive medical treatment and care

For example, a broken bone is considered to be a severe injury because it requires significant medical treatment and can take weeks or even months to heal. However, a broken bone is not considered to be a catastrophic injury because it typically does not result in any permanent disabilities or long-term impacts on the victim's life.

By contrast, a spinal cord injury is considered to be a catastrophic injury because it is a long-term or permanent injury that significantly impacts the victim's ability to live a normal life and requires extensive medical treatment and care.

Here is a more detailed look at the difference between a severe and a catastrophic injury:

It is important to note that the terms "severe" and "catastrophic" are not mutually exclusive. In other words, a severe injury can also be a catastrophic injury, depending on the specific circumstances of the case.

What Is the Difference Between a Catastrophic Injury and a Fatal Injury?

A catastrophic injury is an injury that causes long-term or permanent disabilities. The victim survives the accident, but is left with a serious impairment that significantly impacts their ability to live a normal life.

By contrast, a fatal injury is an injury that causes the victim's death. The victim does not survive the accident, and the accident is fatal.

Here is a more detailed look at the difference between a catastrophic and a fatal injury:

In many cases, a catastrophic injury can also be a fatal injury. For example, a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be fatal if the victim does not receive immediate medical treatment. However, even if the victim does survive, they may be left with significant disabilities that require long-term care.

What Types of Accidents Cause Catastrophic Injuries?

Catastrophic injuries can be caused by a variety of accidents. In many cases, these accidents are the result of another person or party's negligence. When this happens, the victim can file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Some examples of accidents that cause catastrophic injuries include:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Construction accidents
• Scaffolding accidents
• Crane accidents
• Defective products
• Medical malpractice
• Slip and fall accidents
• Workplace accidents
• And more

Accidents that cause catastrophic injuries are often the result of another person or party's negligence. For example, a car accident can be caused by a driver who is texting and driving or a defective auto part. A slip and fall accident can be caused by a property owner who fails to clean up a spill or remove a hazard. A construction accident can be caused by a contractor who fails to provide workers with the proper safety equipment.

When these accidents are caused by someone else's negligence, the victim can file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. A personal injury claim is a civil lawsuit that allows an injured victim to hold the at-fault party liable for their injuries and recover financial compensation.

How Long Do You Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit in New York?

When you are injured in an accident caused by someone else's negligence, you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim. This is known as the statute of limitations.

In New York, the statute of limitations for a catastrophic injury claim is generally three years from the date of the accident. If you do not file a claim within this time frame, you will lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries.

It is important to note that there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you are filing a claim against a government entity, you must file a notice of claim within 90 days of the accident. If you are filing a claim against a municipality, you have one year and 90 days to file a notice of claim. If you do not file a notice of claim within the required time frame, you will lose your right to file a claim.

Because the statute of limitations is so important, it is always a good idea to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident. An attorney can help ensure that you do not miss any important deadlines and that you take the necessary steps to protect your right to compensation.

How to Prove Negligence in a Catastrophic Injury Case

When you file a catastrophic injury claim, you will need to prove that the at-fault party’s negligence caused the accident and your injuries. To do this, you will need to establish four key elements:

• The at-fault party owed you a duty of care.
• The at-fault party breached this duty of care.
• The breach of the duty of care caused the accident.
• The accident caused your injuries and other damages.

In a personal injury claim, a duty of care is a legal obligation to act reasonably to prevent harm to others. For example, when you are driving, you have a duty of care to obey the traffic laws and drive safely to avoid causing an accident. A doctor has a duty of care to provide medical care that meets the acceptable standard of care. A property owner has a duty of care to keep their property safe for visitors.

When a person or party fails to meet this duty of care and causes an accident, they can be held liable for the victim's injuries and other damages.

How Our New York City Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Can Help

When you are facing a long and difficult recovery, the last thing you want to think about is filing a lawsuit. However, a personal injury claim can help you recover the financial resources you need to support yourself and your family.

At Irwin Law Firm, our New York City catastrophic injury attorney knows how to build strong cases that get results. We understand how to prove negligence and liability, and we can help you navigate the complex legal process. When you choose our firm, we will handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on your recovery.

Our firm can help you recover compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Rehabilitation
• Long-term care
• Disfigurement
• Disability
• Pain and suffering
• And more

If you have lost a loved one in a catastrophic injury accident, we can also help you file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for your losses.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Catastrophic Injury?

Because every case is different, there is no way to determine an average settlement for a catastrophic injury. The amount of compensation you may be able to recover will depend on a variety of factors, including the specific circumstances of your case.

Some factors that can impact the value of your claim include:

• The cost of your past and future medical treatment
• The cost of your past and future lost wages
• The cost of your past and future loss of earning capacity
• The cost of your past and future pain and suffering
• Whether you were partially at fault for the accident

At Irwin Law Firm, our New York City catastrophic injury attorney can review the details of your case and help you understand what your claim may be worth. We can help you pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to under the law.

Get the Help You Need Today

If you have been seriously injured in an accident, you need to take action to protect your rights. Our New York City personal injury attorney can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We know how to build strong cases that get results. When you choose our firm, you can have peace of mind knowing we will be with you every step of the way.

Call (212) 203-4529 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our New York City catastrophic injury lawyer.