Were You Seriously Injured in an Accident?
Have you sustained severe, life-altering injuries as the result of an accident that was not your fault? Are you no longer able to work or enjoy your life in the way you did before the accident? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more—but you’ll have to fight for that compensation by filing a claim against the party that hurt you.
At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we know the immense pain and stress that you can experience when living with a catastrophic injury and its consequences. Our Baton Rouge personal injury attorneys are driven by our strong Christian values that center on helping people in need and doing what’s right. From the start of your catastrophic injury case, our goal will be to provide the personalized advocacy and attention you need to hold the negligent party accountable and get the compensation you need to move forward. Having secured billions of dollars across thousands of cases, our Baton Rouge catastrophic injury lawyers know how to strategically handle these cases and stand up to any sized opposition on your behalf. Our legal professionals will be by your side every step of the way and will stop at nothing to put you back on top.
You pay nothing unless we put money in your pocket. We are available 24/7, so contact us online or call (225) 999-1111 to schedule a free, no-risk consultation. We have offices in Baton Rouge and Gonzalez.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
Many types of minor injuries will heal following proper treatment. On the other hand, a catastrophic injury is an injury that will likely be permanent and cause some type of disability, even when the best medical treatment options are used. In many cases, a catastrophic injury will affect how the injured person functions on a day-to-day basis.
Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Different types of catastrophic injuries that we often see in injury claims include:
- Brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can result in significant memory loss, behavioral or personality changes, loss of speech or motor functions, and other life-altering consequences.
- Spinal injuries: The spinal cord facilitates communication between the brain and other body parts. Even a “mild” injury to the spinal cord can cause partial or complete paralysis.
- Amputations: The loss of a limb or even just a digit is incredibly painful and will change your day-to-day life, sometimes in unexpected ways. You might be unable to continue your preferred career due to an amputation injury.
- Burn injuries: Severe burn injuries, such as third-degree burns, can destroy soft tissue, limiting your mobility. If a severe burn is in a highly visible area of your body, like your face, neck, or hands, you might understandably experience self-image issues that cause lasting problems of their own.
- Organ damage: Damage to an internal organ can cause permanent complications and hardships. Treatments to correct organ damage often include surgeries, which may cause side effects and other complications.
- Bone fractures: When a bone breaks, it can create lifelong problems if it does not heal or set correctly. The larger or more damaging the initial break, the more likely it will have trouble healing properly.
What Causes Catastrophic Injuries?
A catastrophic injury can be caused by a variety of accidents and incidents. At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys in Baton Rouge, we have extensive experience working on all sorts of case types. If you’ve been catastrophically injured, you can be confident that we will know how to research your injury, investigate the accident, and handle your case from start to finish.
Our catastrophic injury attorneys in Baton Rouge are prepared to handle cases involving:
- Vehicular accidents: Crashes involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles can all produce terrible outcomes, particularly when vehicles collide at high speeds. Motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are inherently more exposed to danger and are more vulnerable to catastrophic injuries in the event of an accident.
- Slip and falls: Tripping/slipping and falling is one of the leading causes of severe injuries among older demographics. Under premises liability law, property owners are obligated to make a reasonable effort to keep their properties free of hazards that can cause visitors to slip or trip.
- Dangerous products: A dangerous defect in a product can cause severe injuries, even when the consumer uses the product as intended. Consuming a pharmaceutical drug that is later revealed to have dangerous, unintended side effects can also sometimes lead to the development of permanent adverse health conditions, which may be considered forms of catastrophic injuries.
- Workplace accidents: Depending on the nature of your occupation, you may be subject to different dangers whenever you go to work. Construction sites, for example, involve the frequent use of heavy, potentially dangerous industrial equipment that can leave people with life-changing injuries.
Determining Negligence in a Catastrophic Injury Claim
Our Baton Rouge catastrophic injury lawyer uses a multi-faceted approach to establish negligence in a catastrophic injury claim. We meticulously review accident reports, medical records, witness testimonies, and more. We can also collaborate with a range of experts, including medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and forensic experts, to fully understand the extent of the injuries, how they were caused, and how they will affect your life for years to come.
This detailed approach lets us pinpoint any act of negligence that led to the injury, whether it’s a driver’s carelessness in a car accident or a property owner’s failure to maintain safe premises. By proving that someone else’s negligence directly caused the catastrophic injury, we aim to secure maximum compensation for you.
Important Evidence in Catastrophic Injury Cases
Different types of evidence that our attorneys can use while building a catastrophic injury claim are:
- Accident reports: An accident report from the police can provide an immediate account of the incident and can contain crucial details that establish liability. The responding officer might even write who they think caused the accident if applicable.
- Medical records: Your medical records should detail the extent and nature of the injuries sustained. They can be used to link the accident directly to the injuries and make it harder for the defendant to challenge the amount of compensation you are demanding.
- Witness testimonies: Statements from people who witnessed the accident can provide important details about what happened. A third-party perspective can often see details that people involved in an accident do not notice.
- Expert testimonies: Professionals such as accident reconstructionists or medical experts can provide specialized insights into how the accident occurred and the impact of the injuries.
- Photographic or video evidence: Photos or videos from the scene of the accident can visually demonstrate the circumstances leading to the accident and help illustrate who was at fault.
Who Is Liable For Catastrophic Injuries?
The parties responsible for catastrophic injuries can range from individuals to large corporations and medical institutions. We are not intimidated by the size or resources of potential defendants. Part of our Christian values are reflected in the story of David and Goliath: no defendant is too large for us to challenge when it means doing what is right. We believe in holding all negligent parties accountable for their actions, no matter who they are.
Defendants in catastrophic injury claims often include:
- Motorists: If a driver’s reckless or negligent behavior on the road causes an accident resulting in catastrophic injuries, they can be held liable.
- Medical providers: Medical malpractice can lead to catastrophic injuries when a medical provider fails to deliver the standard of care expected of them.
- Product makers: If a product is faulty or dangerous and causes catastrophic injury, the manufacturer or distributor can be held responsible.
- Employers: Employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment. When a worker is seriously injured, it could open the employer up to a catastrophic injury claim and/or workers’ compensation claim.
How Is a Catastrophic Injury Claim Different from a Regular Personal Injury Claim?
Catastrophic injury claims and personal injury claims tend to follow the same legal procedures in Louisiana. The plaintiff must initiate legal action before the statute of limitations expires, and they must prove the defendant’s negligence resulted in injuries.
The main difference between these types of cases is the severity of the injuries and the resulting value of the claim. Many catastrophic injuries are permanent and even have the potential to worsen, meaning the plaintiff will be seeking extensive compensation for both current and future medical expenses.
Additionally, depending on the level of trauma and how it physically affects the plaintiff, the statute of limitations may be paused or extended. For example, if an accident victim’s catastrophic injury temporarily leaves them in a coma, they may get more time to file a lawsuit. However, this extension is never guaranteed, so you shouldn’t rely on it. Our Baton Rouge catastrophic injury lawyer can explain how the severity of your injuries could affect your claim.
Damages You Can Recover in a Louisiana Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit
The damages available to you through a catastrophic injury claim will depend on the type of injury you suffered, how it has changed your life, and what financial losses it has and will cause. Our attorneys can carefully calculate the damages owed to you. We insist on fighting for the highest amount of compensation available for each client, so not even a dollar goes unclaimed.
Our Baton Rouge catastrophic injury attorney can fight to get you compensation for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Why Should You Hire a Baton Rouge Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?
When you suffer injuries that permanently alter your ability to work and enjoy your life, you deserve to recover maximum compensation. Holding the negligent party may not be easy, however, especially if they have access to considerable legal resources. Insurance adjusters will also go to great lengths to minimize what you are paid.
An experienced lawyer from our firm understands what is at stake in a catastrophic injury case. You will depend on the money you receive from a lawsuit to cover steep medical expenses now and well into the future, if not indefinitely. You also deserve additional compensation that addresses your inability to work or live the way you used to be able to before the accident.
Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, you may not be in a position to handle these legal considerations and proceedings on your own – nor should you have to. An attorney from our firm can help you determine the true value of your claim and fight to secure the recovery you are entitled to under the law. Our processes when handling your case can include investigating your accident, establishing liability, and developing compelling legal arguments. We recognize the urgency of many scenarios involving catastrophic injuries and will always work to negotiate a fair settlement and get you the compensation you need as quickly as possible. Our Baton Rouge catastrophic injury attorneys are also more than ready to fight for you in court if there is no other path forward.
Talk to Our Attorneys About Your Case – Call Now
Don’t lose another day wondering if you can take legal action after suffering a life-changing injury. Louisiana only gives you one year in most cases to file a claim before the right to demand compensation is lost. Act now and reach out to the Baton Rouge catastrophic injury attorneys of Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys today.
We strive to make you the victor, not the victim. Contact us online or call (225) 999-1111 to start exploring your legal options.