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Have you suffered a debilitating injury in Washington, D.C.? If so, you’re likely facing expensive medical bills, struggling to make ends meet while unable to work, and worrying about the future. If someone else was to blame for what happened, you should not have to bear these burdens alone. Instead, you can get help from a law firm with over a century of experience securing maximum compensation for people in positions like yours.
Since 1911, Marks & Harrison has fought hard for clients in Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, and all over the Capital Region. Now, let us fight for you. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Washington DC catastrophic injury lawyer, and let’s get started on your personal injury claim today.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury causes long-term, significant harm. Many cause chronic pain and require expensive, long-term medical treatment. Furthermore, a catastrophic injury can lead to a permanent disability, impacting victims’ ability to work and their overall quality of life.
What Are Examples of Catastrophic Injuries?
Catastrophic injuries come in many forms, each with its own set of challenges.
Here are some common examples that our Washington DC catastrophic injuury attorneys frequently see:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: These can change how a person thinks, feels, and acts. Victims might have trouble with memory, speech, or controlling their emotions.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine can cause paralysis, limiting movement and sensation in the areas affected.
- Severe Burns: These painful injuries can leave lasting scars and may require multiple surgeries to heal.
- Amputations: Losing a limb affects everything from movement to stability to the ability to work and live independently.
- Severe Bone Fractures: Complicated fractures take longer to heal and have more severe long-term consequences. In some cases, they may need to be surgically broken and reset.
- Internal Organ Damage: Injuries to organs like the liver or kidneys can cause ongoing health problems and may require transplants.
- Loss of Sight or Hearing: Injuries affecting the senses can drastically change how a person experiences and navigates daily life, often affecting their ability to work or live alone.
What Are Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries?
Catastrophic injuries can happen in many ways, often when people least expect them.
Some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries include:
- Motor Vehicle Crashes: The intense forces involved in a high-impact collision can crush limbs, damage organs, and fractured bones.
- Sports Accidents: Contact sports like football or activities like diving can sometimes result in catastrophic harm. Players might get struck or land wrong, leading to neck or brain injuries.
- Medical Malpractice: When doctors or nurses make errors, their patients can end up with life-changing injuries. This might happen during surgery or when providers give out the wrong medicine.
- Falls from Heights: A trip on a scaffold or a slip on a staircase could send someone tumbling onto the ground below, the force of impact causing severe damage to their body.
- Violent Acts: Attacks or shootings can cause severe damage to victims. These incidents might lead to lasting physical and emotional scars.
- Workplace Accidents: Those who work around heavy machinery, dangerous chemicals, or unsafe conditions are at increased risk of severe injury.
- Defective Products: Sometimes, items we use every day can malfunction and cause serious injuries. This could be anything from a faulty car part to a dangerous household appliance.
How Do I Prove Who Is At Fault for the Accident That Caused My Catastrophic Injuries?
To win catastrophic injury cases, you and your Washington DC personal injury lawyers will need to prove that someone else caused the accident that led to your injury. Typically, this means showing that the other party acted negligently – that they failed to behave with reasonable care given the circumstances.
Here’s some evidence that might help you establish liability in catastrophic injury claims:
- Medical Records: These documents show your injuries, your treatments, and what doctors say about your future health needs.
- Accident Reports: Police or other incident reports detail how the accident happened and who caused it.
- Witness Statements: People who saw the accident can independently corroborate what happened.
- Photos and Videos: Pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage can provide critical context that would be difficult to establish otherwise.
- Expert Testimony: Accident reconstructionists can synthesize evidence to understand what happened and then explain their findings to insurance adjusters, mediators, or juries.
- Financial Documents: Pay stubs and bills show how the injury affected your income and expenses.
- Surveillance Footage: Videos from nearby cameras might have caught the accident, showing incontrovertible proof of what happened.
- Journal Entries: Your notes about your pain, daily challenges, and recovery progress tell your story, showing how your injuries impact your daily life.
Can I Receive Compensation from a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit?
Catastrophic injuries can have debilitating consequences, but you should not have to pay the price for someone else’s bad behavior.
If another party caused your injuries, they could owe you compensation for your:
- Past medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost income
- Reduced future earnings because of a disability
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Damaged personal property, if applicable
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Washington DC Catastrophic Injury Claim?
The sooner you talk to an attorney in Washington, D.C., about your catastrophic injuries, the better. It takes time to build these cases, and you only have three years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit in most cases. Speaking to an attorney immediately after an accident gives you a stronger chance of recovering maximum compensation for your losses. Contact our Washington DC catastrophic injury lawyer today for a free case review.
Contact a Washington DC Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Now
Since 1911, Marks & Harrison has been helping injured people stand up for their rights and recover the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury in the Capital area, we can help you pursue the money you deserve for your medical care, ongoing expenses, and pain and suffering. Don’t wait another moment to get started – contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Washington, D.C., and let’s demand justice together.
