If you have been badly hurt because of someone else’s negligence, your loved ones could find themselves affected as well. It may also be difficult to go back to the life you once enjoyed, especially if your injuries keep you from returning to work.
For these reasons and more, you can work with a Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. You could be entitled to compensation that would facilitate your recovery.
Determining catastrophic injury in Tampa
While minor injuries can be disruptive to victims’ lives, catastrophic injuries can cause harm that lasts for a longer period. Often, severe injury to the brain or spinal cord is considered catastrophic. Florida Statute § 960.03 determines injuries to be catastrophic if they result in permanent impairment, such as the following:
- Spinal cord injury that involves severe arm, leg, or trunk paralysis
- Arm, hand, foot, or leg amputation
- Severe brain injury
- Burns
- Blindness
However, other injuries might also be catastrophic if the anticipated outcome will significantly impact a victim’s future. For instance, a severely injured person may have to refrain from returning to work, adversely affecting their capability to support themselves and their family. Most likely, this means they cannot participate in various group or travel activities anymore. Ultimately, this can lead to a reduced enjoyment of life, which may trigger mental distress and depression.
Regardless of the nature of your injury and the circumstances surrounding the accident, a Tampa personal injury lawyer with our firm can find out whether negligence played a part. Receiving just compensation for damages that have lifelong repercussions can go a long way in easing your financial burden.
Types of compensation you can seek
Catastrophic injuries can happen without warning, resulting in drastic life changes that you may not be prepared for. Anyone who failed to act with care and caused your accident may be responsible for your losses. Economic and non-economic damages you can collect from the liable parties may include the following:
- Present and future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Lost future income
- Rehabilitation costs
- Long-term care expenses
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional distress
Take note that the list can be longer in your case, and a Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer with our firm can provide you with the legal assistance you need. Your attorney can ask medical and economic experts to demonstrate your injury’s severity and calculate related current and future expenses. Receiving fair financial compensation is vital in your case because you might require care even long after your accident has occurred.
Pursuing a catastrophic injury claim
A personal injury lawsuit could be a legal recourse for you if someone else is responsible for your catastrophic injury. Although it may seem apparent that damages are available, you must still establish several grounds in your case before you obtain compensation. You need to show that another party acted negligently, and this action became the direct and natural cause of your injury.
In Florida, any individual, organization, and business that acted carelessly or recklessly and harmed others can face legal liability. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to determine who is at fault, especially if multiple parties are involved. Many factors can also complicate your case, and you may have to present evidence showing each party’s degree of fault. This is where a Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer with our firm can lend a hand.
Your legal representative can gather the necessary evidence to prove your claim and study every related aspect of it to determine which parties are responsible. Remember that the damages you may recover will depend on your injury’s specific facts and circumstances.
How catastrophic injury cases are different
Lawsuits related to catastrophic injuries are unlike other cases because of the scope of damages involved. It is often not simple to calculate costs since plaintiffs may face expensive and extensive medical treatments that could last for many years. Damages that the court might require defendants to pay include estimated or projected bills.
Moreover, even if you stand to collect a significant amount of financial compensation, state laws could limit the compensatory damages you receive. Statutes on comparative negligence, car insurance, and other legal aspects could also impact your case.
Sadly, you may not have the same quality of life before your injury despite the best medical care. Nevertheless, a Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer from our firm will fight for the best possible outcome in your case and help you get justice.
Do not delay in seeking representation
You may not realize that the moment your injury happens, the clock is already ticking on the time limit to take legal action.
Although Florida Statute § 95.11 generally gives you four years from the date of your injury to bring a claim, the deadline may arrive sooner than you think if complications in the process arise. Besides, it may take a while before you feel well enough to tackle your case.
Certain claims have different deadlines, and you may not be aware of your reduced time limit. As soon as you contact us, a Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer from our firm will immediately get to work on protecting your rights and ensuring that you do not miss important deadlines.
You deserve the support of a team
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine strives to understand the unique situation of those suffering from injuries due to another’s negligent conduct.
Even if we cannot turn back the clock, a Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer with our firm can handle your case. Do not hesitate to reach out to us today at 1-888-843-8246 for your free consultation.
We Can Help.
