Catastrophic injuries can be completely life-changing. They can bring severe or permanent damage to victims. Going through a catastrophic injury due to another’s negligence can make you eligible for financial compensation. If you are seeking compensation following a catastrophic injury, a Woodbridge catastrophic injury lawyer can help.
Jacobs & Jacobs is a New Haven-based law firm focused on personal injury cases. We have over 100 years of experience in the courtroom fighting for those with all kinds of personal injuries. When you work with us, you will have someone with extensive experience and knowledge of the law and the local courts. Your case will be treated with the utmost care.
A Woodbridge catastrophic injury lawyer has a lot of experience with personal injury cases. The right catastrophic injury lawyer will have extensive knowledge of local laws and will use their knowledge to fight for you in the courtroom. During your free consultation with us, we invite you to share all the details of your case. We can also answer any questions you may have about the litigation process.
A catastrophic injury is an injury that has caused serious or permanent damage to someone’s capabilities. Someone with a catastrophic injury may be unable to work or perform any other life functions.
Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
Catastrophic injuries can happen anywhere and to anyone. The most common causes for a catastrophic injury include motor vehicle crashes, falls, sports injuries, and workplace accidents. Injuries can be caused intentionally or unintentionally by another person.
In Connecticut, falls were the most common nonfatal injury in 2023, with a rate of 2,156 injuries per 100,000 residents. Drug overdoses were the most common fatal injury in 2023, with a rate of 34.2 deaths per 100,000 residents.
You are able to pursue legal action following a catastrophic injury. You can file a claim for a catastrophic injury within two years of an injury taking place, according to Connecticut’s statute of limitations. You can file a claim through Connecticut’s Superior Court, where you can first file a complaint listing the details of the case.
There are many kinds of damages that you can ask for during the claims process for a catastrophic injury in Woodbridge, CT. Damages you are eligible to seek in your claim can include:
Catastrophic injury cases are usually settled out of court if someone is at fault for an injury. Fault is determined based on negligence, which is defined as the failure to provide proper care to someone that results in an injury. According to Connecticut’s comparative negligence law, you are able to recover damages for a catastrophic injury if you are no more than 50% at fault for the injury.
The four elements of negligence are:
If you are able to prove that someone was at fault for your injury based on the four elements of negligence, you may be able to recover damages and win a settlement.
It is important to have strong evidence of your injury, as well as any negligence, to increase your chance of winning and getting a settlement payout. Evidence can include photos or videos at the scene. Medical evidence is also key, especially when proving a catastrophic injury. Permissible medical evidence can include medical bills, a doctor’s testimony, or test results.
The odds of winning a personal injury claim depend on the details of your personal injury case. While wins are not guaranteed for a catastrophic injury case, your odds can be increased if you have an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer and strong evidence. While there are some injuries that can be harder to prove, the right evidence can make it easier to prove to a judge.
The hardest injury to prove is a nonphysical or invisible injury. Invisible injuries can include any brain trauma-related injuries, such as a concussion or TBI, as well as mental health injuries like PTSD or depression. If you have a catastrophic injury that is hard to prove, make sure you have strong evidence, such as medical bills and a doctor’s testimony, in order to prove it.
The law for a catastrophic injury falls under personal injury law, where you are able to file a claim within two years of an injury taking place. You are allowed to seek damages for any losses you have sustained as a result of your injury. This can include any economic or non-economic losses.
An example of a catastrophic injury is a traumatic brain injury, also known as a TBI. TBIs can be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild to moderate TBIs can be recovered from within a few weeks to months, but more serious TBIs may take even longer to recover from. Victims may not even completely recover at all. Because a TBI can cause damage to the brain, more serious TBIs are considered disabilities.
Catastrophic injuries can change someone’s life completely. Whether one is severe or permanent, if you decide to pursue legal action, you should work with a lawyer with the right experience. Jacobs & Jacobs can help. For a free consultation with the team, give us a call or visit our office in New Haven. Don’t wait, hire a catastrophic injury lawyer today.