A catastrophic injury often requires extensive treatment and care. Many people spend months or years in physical therapy or other programs to regain partial use of the affected body part; they may have a permanent disability that requires ongoing care or adjustments to their lifestyle. A catastrophic injury lawyer helps victims get the long-term care they need.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
Many injuries are serious or severe, but to be labeled a catastrophic injury requires certain criteria to be met. The injury must impact their life, such as their ability to work at a job or to live alone, and prevent them from performing the normal routines they followed before the accident. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Lost or damaged limb
- Severe burns
- Paralysis or inability to walk
- Traumatic brain injury
Any of these injuries change how you live and function each day. They may require special treatment and devices to accommodate a new lifestyle. Working with a catastrophic injury lawyer allows you to get the financial help you need to navigate these changes.
What Kind of Long-Term Care Is Provided?
When you receive compensation for a catastrophic injury, the funds may be used to pay for reasonable and necessary services and equipment related to your injury. The amount of compensation may account for anticipated long-term care needs; these are typically based on recommendations outlined in a life-care plan or other medical and care assessments. Examples of care and support that are included in a catastrophic injury claim include:
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Home health care
- In-home nursing care, including wound care and medication management
- Assistance with activities of daily living
- 24/7 in-home supervision or attendant care
- Respite care for family caregivers
- Counseling and mental health services
What Special Equipment Is Necessary for Long-Term Care?
Catastrophic injuries often alter a person’s life permanently, requiring them to make adjustments to manage normal tasks and routines. They often need special equipment to assist with these daily challenges. They may require grab bars in the bathroom or a chair lift to help them move upstairs. A doctor will recommend the best mobility equipment if the patient needs assistance walking; these devices include walkers, canes, wheelchairs, and other mobility systems. It’s also not uncommon for the patient to need home renovations, such as a wheelchair ramp or wider doors, to help them function as normally as possible.
How Can a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Help?
A lawyer who specializes in catastrophic injuries helps you pursue the long-term care needed to support a better quality of life. They also help seek compensation for your financial losses and future needs. The attorney evaluates the case and uses available medical and financial evidence to determine the compensation needed for long-term care. Because catastrophic injuries often require extensive ongoing treatment and support, the attorney evaluates both current and anticipated expenses when developing the claim.
Attorneys work with doctors and other medical professionals involved in your care. These professionals document the extent of your injuries and the treatment plan. Lawyers request medical records and notes from your providers to retain in your case file; these records help establish the nature of your injuries and the care required. The lawyer also obtains the accident report, witness statements, and other documentation to establish how the incident occurred. They contact law enforcement and other qualified experts to gather evidence that supports the claim and establishes the losses associated with the injury.
The lawyer often requests a comprehensive evaluation once the patient reaches the maintenance phase of treatment. At this point, further improvement is limited, and the evaluation provides a clearer picture of the lasting effects of the injury. This assessment identifies permanent impairments and functional limitations; it also provides information about the need for ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, personal assistance, and other long-term services. Those anticipated needs are then evaluated when determining the amount of compensation sought for future care.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
A lawyer who specializes in personal injuries, including catastrophic injuries, will guide you through the claims process. They work with you to obtain compensation for the cost of long-term care. Your legal team works with the medical team to determine what long-term care is needed and add that cost to the total compensation requested. Contact a lawyer experienced in personal injury cases for a consultation.
