Richmond Catastrophic Injury Lawyers

We label some injuries as “catastrophic” because of their devastating impact on the lives of victims and their families. A catastrophic injury tends to be severe, requires extensive medical care and treatment, and prevents a person from working or enjoying life as he or she did before the injury. Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage and amputations are examples of catastrophic injuries.

Many people suffer these injuries through no fault of their own. They are the consequences of the careless and reckless conduct of others.

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in Richmond or elsewhere in Virginia, contact a personal injury lawyer at the law offices of Marks & Harrison. We understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with such an injury. We have a sincere desire to help you get through this difficult chapter in your life.

What Types of Personal Injury Cases Do We Represent in Virginia?

We represent those who have suffered catastrophic injuries due to:

Our experienced legal team can review your case, explore all of your legal options, and pursue the benefits and other compensation you deserve.

For a free consultation, call today or submit our online form.

If You Have a Catastrophic Injury, How Can a Lawyer Help You?

At Marks & Harrison, we can investigate your case and develop a legal strategy that is aimed at maximizing your financial recovery. The options available to catastrophic injury victims in Virginia may include:

• Personal injury damages – If another person caused the injury, you can pursue a personal injury claim that seeks a recovery of all past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
• Workers’ compensation benefits – If the catastrophic injury occurred while you were acting in the course and scope of your employment, you may be eligible to file a claim for medical benefits and lost wage benefits.

While your case is pending, we can work with local health care providers to ensure your medical treatment goes uninterrupted. We will charge no legal fees unless we secure a financial recovery for you.

What Are Catastrophic Injuries?

Catastrophic injuries are life-changing injuries that result from sudden, tragic events such as a slip and fall accident or car accident. These injuries tend to share three traits:

• Nature and extent of the injury – Catastrophic injuries are serious in nature. They impair one or more body functions, cause disfigurement or put one’s life in danger. These injuries generally are long-lasting or permanent. For example, a broken ankle may require you to get a cast and use crutches. Within a few weeks or months, it should heal. A hip fracture, however, can keep you from walking the same again. It may also lead to life-threatening complications.
• Medical treatment – A catastrophic injury may require one or more surgeries, extended hospitalization and monitoring, assistive devices, medication, and ongoing physical therapy. Many catastrophic injury victims need around-the-clock care after they are released from the hospital. A victim may need to stay in an assisted living facility or receive home health care. A spinal cord injury victim, for instance, may need to use a wheelchair for the rest of his or her life and could need help with bathing, getting dressed, eating, and carrying on other everyday activities.
• Working and enjoying life – A victim of a catastrophic injury may be unable to return to their job or be able to find other jobs due to their injuries. This is especially true if the victim’s previous work involved physical activities such as lifting and carrying heavy items. A victim may also be unable to do work around the home such as mowing the lawn or to enjoy playing with his or her children.

All of these traits set catastrophic injuries apart from other injuries. They can also serve as factors in any financial recovery that is sought from the party or parties who caused the injury.

What Are Common Catastrophic Injuries?

Many different types of injuries can be considered “catastrophic.” Injuries that commonly fall within this category are:

• Traumatic brain injury – TBI, as it is often called, results from a hard blow to the head or a sudden, violent shaking. Concussions are a mild form of TBI that usually do not carry lifetime consequences. However, a victim of a moderate-to-severe TBI may suffer permanent problems with thinking, communicating, moving and controlling his or her behavior.
• Spinal cord injury – When the spinal cord is damaged, it can cause a victim to lose feeling and function in all areas of the body below the point of injury. If the injury occurs at a high point, it can result in quadriplegic (all four limbs). An injury at a lower point may result in paraplegia (legs). A spinal cord injury (SCI) victim may also suffer complications such as infections, blood clots and heart problems.
• Burn injury – Severe burns can damage skin, nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. A victim may need surgery such as debridement (removal of dead skin tissue) or skin grafting (replacing dead tissue with healthy tissue from another area of the body). Scarring and disfigurement are likely consequences of burn injuries.
• Amputations – An accident can directly result in the loss of a limb. In some cases, a person may need to undergo an amputation as a medical necessity after suffering an injury such as a third or fourth-degree burn.
• Hip fractures – A broken hip is difficult to treat and may result in a permanent disability. Complications such as the development of blood clots in the legs also are a major concern with hip fractures.
• Organ damage – Damage to the lungs, heart, liver, bowel, kidneys, spleen, and other vital organs is common in accidents. A victim may need an organ transplant and may face a lifetime of complications.
• Vision / hearing loss – In many types of accidents, a victim faces the risk of objects flying into his or her eyes or exposure to loud noise. Even a partial loss of sight or hearing can prevent a person from being able to work again.
• Psychological damage – A traumatic event can cause significant harm to one’s mental health. Flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety and depression are all symptoms of a disabling condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

If you have suffered catastrophic injury through no fault of your own, then you owe it yourself to get help from an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer who will protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

What Is The Virginia Statute of Limitations for Catastrophic Injury Lawsuits?

If you or a loved one has been the victim of an accident that caused catastrophic injuries, in Virginia, you have two years to file an injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you decide to file a lawsuit, it must be done within this time frame. If you do not, the court will most likely dismiss the injury claim case, and you forfeit your ability to seek compensation through the legal system. This two-year time frame is known as the Statute of Limitations.

Get Help From Our Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in Richmond, VA Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to the wrongful conduct of another, turn to Marks & Harrison for experienced, professional, and compassionate legal assistance.

We have been serving injury victims and their families in Richmond and throughout Virginia for more than a century. We are ready to work hard for you. Call or reach us online for a free consultation.