While the road to recovery for any injury can be tough on you and your family, catastrophic injuries could result in a lifetime of disability and pain. If these injuries are the result of another person’s reckless or careless conduct, you could hold them financially liable by filing a civil claim.
However, recovering this compensation could be challenging without guidance from a personal injury attorney in Fort Wayne, IN. A dedicated Fort Wayne catastrophic injury lawyer understands the life-changing effects of this type of harm and could help you recover the compensation you need to support yourself and your family in the future.
Types of Harm that are Considered Catastrophic
A catastrophic harm is typically described as an injury that results in permanent disability, pain, or other life-altering effects. While all types of injuries might result in medical costs for recovery and serious impacts on an individual’s quality of life, catastrophic injuries typically require significantly higher medical costs and severely impact an individual’s quality of life. Some of the common catastrophic injuries include:
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Partial or full paralysis
- Limb amputation
- Severe burns
- Severe or multiple bone fractures
- Internal organ damage
These injuries can require ongoing medical treatment and prevent a person’s ability to continue working. As such, it is important to work with a skilled Fort Wayne lawyer who considers the long-term impact of a catastrophic injury.
What Compensation is Available to Someone Permanently Injured?
The damages resulting from a permanent injury case can be significant. These damages should not fall on an injured individual’s loved ones because of the wrongful conduct of another person. Someone who was catastrophically injured due to the negligent actions of someone else could seek compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses relating to the injury
- Rehabilitation costs
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Property damage
- Lost income and future earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
The amount of compensation available to an injured individual varies considerably from case to case. A well-versed Fort Wayne catastrophic accident attorney could help fight for fair compensation.
Statute Of Limitations in Fort Wayne
Under state law, claims for damages from a catastrophic injury must be filed prior to two years following the date on which the injury occurred, according to Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4. However, there are exceptions to the two-year general rule, such as when a state or local government entity is a party in the lawsuit. When this is the case, a notice of a lawsuit typically must be filed within 270 days of the date the injury occurred for state government parties and within 180 days of the injury for city or county government parties.
The state statute of limitations is a strict deadline for filing a claim, and any lawsuit not filed within the deadline could be lost. A seasoned Fort Wayne traumatic injury attorney could evaluate a claim to determine the relevant statute of limitations.
Speak with a Fort Wayne Catastrophic Injury Attorney Right Away
A catastrophic injury often requires years of treatment and an inability to work, resulting in significant medical bills with a lack of income. After a serious accident, the liable party’s insurance company typically goes to work immediately to pay out as little compensation as it can.
To ensure you receive a fair settlement, you should contact an experienced Fort Wayne catastrophic injury lawyer to get started on building a strong claim. Call today to book your initial consultation.
