We have the experience and resources necessary to handle complex litigation against negligent drivers, healthcare providers, big businesses, and insurance companies. If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, please contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We will explain your rights and will help you determine the best course of legal action.

What is a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury is an injury that causes severe, long-term consequences. They typically require surgical treatment. Catastrophic injuries often result in:

• The need for lifelong assistance
• Permanent disability or loss of function
• The necessity of medications for life
• Inability to work full-time or at all
• The need for prosthetics, walkers, wheelchairs, or canes
• Severe disfigurement or scarring
• Spinal cord injury
• Organ damage
• TBI (traumatic brain injury)
• Amputation
• Paralysis
• Loss of sight
• Loss of hearing
• Severe burn injuries

When our catastrophic injury lawyers at Apicella & Schlesinger Attorneys at Law represent clients who have suffered injuries like these, we calculate the overall impact on their lives. We consider what life is like after the accident and how it will be affected in the future and for the rest of their lives. 

Catastrophic injury cases are generally very complex. Some catastrophic injuries are more difficult to detect than others. For example, a person who is paralyzed or blind after an accident is obviously disabled. But a person with a head injury may heal physically after a period of recovery but have lasting effects such as:

• Memory loss
• Personality change
• Severe irritability
• Inability to concentrate
• Inability to have meaningful relationships

Victims who have suffered brain injuries will often have to quit working even after they reach “maximum recovery” and appear to look well to others. It is necessary to build a strong case for people who live with invisible, life-altering injuries. 

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are associated with life-altering changes, which can leave the victim temporarily or permanently disabled. The types of accidents that cause such debilitating injuries are often severe. Unfortunately, there are several incidents in which these injuries can occur and are often the result of another’s reckless or negligent behavior.

When it comes to pursuing compensation the victims and their family members need, it’s essential to recognize the various causes. Some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries include:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip and falls
• Medical malpractice
• Construction accidents
• Fires and explosions
• Defective products

Why are Catastrophic Injury Cases So Complex?

When a person suffers a catastrophic injury, they often never recover. Many can no longer care for themselves or their families as they once did. They may need lifelong care, which results in costly medical expenses. The immediate and future costs of such treatment are often challenging to calculate. 

The personal injury claims process or lawsuit for cases like this involves detailed financial projections of the future costs, such as:

• Future medical expenses 
• Cost of their loss of income
• Projected future loss of income

A value also needs to be placed on the victim’s pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life. Financial compensation cannot restore the person to total health, but it can remove the burden of loss of income and medical expenses on a family in this situation.

In addition, catastrophic injury cases can be very complex due to the many parties that can potentially be liable. In truck accidents and medical malpractice cases, insurance companies are involved. Their job is to pay out as little as possible and to employ intimidation tactics to keep people from seeking compensation.

How a New York Catastrophic Injury Attorney Can Help

Having a catastrophic injury lawyer is critical to ensuring you get the compensation you need and deserve. At Apicella & Schlesinger Attorneys at Law, we bring over 45 years of experience to the table. We use our financial resources and legal expertise to maximize your compensation. 

When you hire us, your catastrophic injury lawyer will:

• Conduct a thorough investigation to find out who is liable
• Work with experts and specialists to assess the full extent of your injuries and expenses
• Offer clear, straightforward answers to all of your questions
• Handle the negotiation process
• Defend you when the insurance company tries to reduce your settlement amount
• If necessary, advocate for your right to compensation before a judge and jury

If you have suffered a life-altering injury, our goal is to secure a compensation package that accounts for your past, current, and future needs. You and your family may have a difficult road ahead, but we can help. Contact Apicella & Schlesinger Attorneys at Law today to schedule a free consultation.