Lebanon Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

A severe injury caused by someone else’s carelessness can turn your life upside down and have devastating effects on you and your family. State laws require that people and businesses act responsibly to prevent causing harm to others.

When people or entities fail to exercise care, and others suffer the consequences, a compassionate personal injury attorney could help you seek compensation to cover the cost of your injuries and losses. Contact a Lebanon catastrophic injury lawyer to schedule an appointment and learn more if you need help with a case.

What is a Catastrophic Injury?

Catastrophic injuries happen suddenly, leading to long-term or permanent disabilities. Severe accidents leave people with life-altering injuries that cause painful physical and psychological impairments.

Some examples of physical damage include sudden loss of hearing or eyesight, back and spinal cord injuries and paralysis, severe burns, and traumatic brain injuries. Severe and debilitating injuries often have a significant impact on the injured person and their family’s lives.

The Cost of Healthcare

The cost of healthcare, including treatment and ongoing medical services, varies, depending on the specific circumstances. Catastrophic injuries often require emergency medical care, hospitalization, surgical procedures, and physical therapy. The cost can be astronomical, and holding the liable party financially responsible is essential.

Elements Needed to Establish Fault

Establishing fault to win an award for the damages and losses requires proving the defendant’s negligence caused you harm, and that proof includes:

Duty of care, which means establishing the defendant knew, or should have known their actions could cause harm to others and failed to act in a reasonable manner
Their recklessness caused a breach or violation of a duty of care, and a reasonable person would have acted differently in a similar situation
Causation, which requires evidence that the negligent actions of the defendant are directly related to the bodily harm and other damages you sustained
Lastly, the claim for damages must show you sustained verifiable damages, like physical injuries, medical costs, and lost pay, because of the defendant’s actions

According to Missouri Revisor of Statutes § 537.090, the civil court jury will review the case specifics to determine a fair settlement for damages. They calculate the award by considering the severity of the plaintiff’s injuries and how the catastrophic injury will affect their life in the future.

They may also consider the defendant’s actions leading up to the accident. A Lebanon catastrophic injury attorney at A.W. Smith Law Firm, P.C., can gather the evidence, such as expert and witness testimonies and medical records, to prove your case and collect a fair settlement.

The Award for Damages

After the civil court determines the case establishes the defendant is liable, they may award damages, including:

Medical expenses, including past, present, and future costs for medical services, rehabilitation costs, physical therapy, medication, and assistive devices or equipment
Lost wages, including income and benefits
Lost earning capacity if you cannot return to the occupation and position you held before sustaining the injuries
Pain and suffering, including physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress
Loss of the enjoyment of life due to the physical and emotional injuries the defendant’s negligence caused
Loss of consortium, companionship, intimacy, and support for spouses, if applicable, and family members

During a free consultation, a catastrophic injury lawyer in Lebanon can help calculate the potential damages and answer questions about the statutes and civil court process.

Meet With a Seasoned Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today

Catastrophic injuries are severe and usually have a substantial and lasting impact on the victim’s quality of life. They are often permanent and require extensive medical care and ongoing services.

If you sustained serious bodily harm because of someone else’s thoughtless actions, you have every right to expect them to cover the costs of their negligent actions. Call A.W. Smith Law Firm, P.C., to schedule your free consultation with a Lebanon catastrophic injury lawyer to review your case and options.