Tacoma Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

A catastrophic injury is a severe and often life-altering physical injury that has profound and long-lasting effects on the victim’s quality of life. Unlike minor injuries, catastrophic injuries typically result in permanent disability, long-term medical treatment, and significant changes to an individual’s ability to perform everyday tasks or work. If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, contact our Tacoma catastrophic injury attorneys to learn about your legal options. Call us at (833) 832-2727 today.

What is a Catastrophic Injury?

Catastrophic injuries usually involve substantial harm to critical parts of the body, such as the brain, spinal cord, or limbs. These injuries often lead to significant physical impairment or loss of function.

Many catastrophic injuries result in permanent disabilities, such as paralysis, amputations, or loss of cognitive function. These disabilities can drastically alter a person’s ability to live independently.

Victims of catastrophic injuries often require long-term or lifelong medical care, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and assistive devices. The cost of this care can be astronomical, adding to the emotional and financial burden on the victim and their family.

Beyond the physical consequences, catastrophic injuries also have a profound emotional and psychological impact. Victims may experience depression, anxiety, and a loss of enjoyment of life due to their inability to engage in activities they once loved.

Examples of Catastrophic Injuries

There are several different types of catastrophic injuries that an individual may sustain in a serious accident. Here are some of the most common ones that our Tacoma catastrophic injury attorneys see:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Severe head injuries that can lead to cognitive impairment, memory loss, or personality changes. If you have suffered a brain injury, contact our Tacoma brain
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord that can result in partial or complete paralysis.
• Amputations: The loss of a limb, either as a direct result of the injury or due to complications like infection.
• Severe Burns: Extensive burns that cause disfigurement, chronic pain, and the need for multiple reconstructive surgeries.
• Multiple Fractures: Complex fractures that can cause permanent deformity or require extensive surgical intervention and rehabilitation.

Causes of Catastrophic Injury

Some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries that our Tacoma injury lawyers typically see include:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

• Car Accidents: Catastrophic injuries from car accidents are often caused by high-speed collisions, rollovers, and T-bone crashes. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe fractures, and internal injuries. If you have been injured in a car accident in Tacoma, contact our Tacoma car accident attorneys for legal assistance.
• Truck Accidents: Truck accidents in Tacoma often result in devastating injuries due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. These cases may involve complex factors like truck driver fatigue, overloaded trucks, or improper maintenance.
• Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable on the road, and motorcycle accidents in Tacoma often lead to life-threatening injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and severe road rash.

Workplace Accidents

• Construction Accidents: Construction sites are inherently dangerous, and accidents can result in catastrophic injuries like falls from heights, being struck by heavy machinery, or being trapped under collapsed structures.
• Industrial Injuries: Industrial accidents can occur in factories, warehouses, or other settings involving heavy machinery and hazardous materials. Injuries may include severe burns, crush injuries, or exposure to toxic substances.
• Other Workplace Catastrophes: This includes accidents in various industries, such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and agriculture, where workers may suffer catastrophic injuries due to explosions, machinery malfunctions, or falls.

Other Causes

Other things that can cause catastrophic injuries include:

• Medical Malpractice: Catastrophic injuries resulting from medical malpractice can include severe brain damage due to anesthesia errors, paralysis from surgical mistakes, birth injuries like cerebral palsy, or misdiagnosis leading to worsening conditions.
• Defective Products: Defective products can cause catastrophic injuries, whether it’s a malfunctioning car part leading to an accident, defective medical devices causing internal injuries, or unsafe machinery in the workplace.
• Premises Liability: Catastrophic injuries on someone else’s property can occur due to dangerous conditions like slippery floors, broken stairs, inadequate security, or exposure to hazardous substances. These accidents may result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or severe fractures.

Deadline to File a Claim in Tacoma, Washington

The deadline to file a claim for a catastrophic injury in Tacoma, Washington, is governed by the state’s statute of limitations. In Washington State, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including catastrophic injury cases, is generally three years from the date of the injury.

This deadline applies to most types of personal injury claims, such as those arising from motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, or premises liability incidents.

For medical malpractice claims, the statute of limitations is also three years from the date of the injury or one year from the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered, whichever occurs later.

What Compensation Is Available for Catastrophic Injuries?

Catastrophic injuries can impose profound financial, physical, and emotional burdens on you and your family, with effects that may last a lifetime. To help alleviate these burdens, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation. This compensation is crucial for covering the extensive costs associated with your injuries and ensuring your future needs are met.

Medical Expenses

One of the primary forms of compensation available to you is for medical expenses. You can receive reimbursement for past medical bills, including all treatments related to your injury, such as:

• Emergency care
• Surgeries
• Hospital stays
• Medications
• Necessary medical equipment

Additionally, you may be compensated for future medical costs, which account for long-term medical expenses like:

• Ongoing surgeries
• Rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Home care

Lost Income

Beyond medical expenses, you can seek compensation for lost income. This includes reimbursement for past lost wages, covering the income you lost during the time you were unable to work due to your injury. If your injury has permanently impacted your ability to work, you may also be entitled to compensation for the loss of earning capacity. This is particularly significant in catastrophic injury cases, as you may be unable to return to your previous occupation or may be unable to work at all.

Pain and Suffering

Compensation is also available for the pain and suffering you’ve endured. This includes both physical pain and emotional distress. Physical pain compensation addresses the ongoing pain caused by your injury, while emotional distress compensation covers the psychological impact, such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Loss of enjoyment of life

This also extends to the emotional toll the injury takes on your relationships and overall mental well-being.

Home Modifications

If your injury has resulted in life-altering disabilities, you may also be eligible for compensation to cover the costs of modifying your home and vehicle. This includes:

• Installing wheelchair ramps
• Widening doorways
• Adding specialized equipment

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

Additionally, you may be compensated for the loss of enjoyment of life, reflecting the diminished ability to engage in life’s activities, hobbies, and personal interests that you can no longer pursue due to your injury.

Legal Fees

Lastly, in some cases, you may be awarded compensation for the legal fees and costs associated with pursuing your claim. This can include:

• Attorney fees
• Court costs
• Expenses related to gathering evidence
• Expenses for securing expert testimony

This ensures that the financial burden of seeking justice does not fall solely on you.

Contact Our Tacoma Catastrophic Injury Attorneys

Given the significant and lasting impact of catastrophic injuries, legal cases involving these injuries require a specialized approach. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

If you or a loved one has experienced a catastrophic injury, don’t wait to seek the justice and compensation you deserve. The impact of these injuries can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Contact Brumley Law Firm today at (833) 832-2727 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Our experienced team is here to provide the support, guidance, and legal expertise you need to navigate this challenging time. Let our Tacoma catastrophic injury lawyers fight for your rights and help you secure the future you deserve.