Catastrophic injuries are distinct. While serious injuries can devastate a person’s life, catastrophic injuries will change it forever. At Towey Law, PLLC, our dedicated Buffalo injury lawyers have the skills and experience to secure the compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries due to another’s negligence or carelessness, call Towey Law, PLLC today. Our Buffalo catastrophic injury attorneys are uniquely qualified to handle the medical and financial complications of long-term injuries.
Discuss your catastrophic injuries with a knowledgeable catastrophic injury attorney by calling (716) 300-8232.
Resources on This Page:
- Why Hire A Buffalo Catastrophic Injury Lawyer From Towey Law?
- Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
- What Can Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Buffalo Do for You?
- Define Catastrophic Injuries
- How to Determine if I Have a Catastrophic Injury Case?
- Time Limit for Filing a New York Injury Claim
- What Damages Can a Buffalo Catastrophic Injuries Attorney Help Me Secure?
- What Should You Do if You Are Suffering From a Serious Injury
- Representing Family Members in Fatal Accident Cases
- Contact One of Our Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in Buffalo Today
Why Hire A Buffalo Catastrophic Injury Lawyer From Towey Law?
When the careless actions of another cause devastating injuries, turn to us for help:
- We always provide responsive communication to our clients.
- We offer free case evaluations and will meet where it is most convenient, whether by phone, in person, or by video conference.
- Our attorneys handle each case with attention to detail and will aggressively protect your rights.
What Are Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries?
Catastrophic injuries often arise from accidents and incidents that result in significant trauma, such as:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents can lead to severe injuries due to collisions and limited protection for motorcyclists.
- Workplace accidents: Construction and industrial environments pose significant risks, including falls, machinery accidents, and chemical exposure.
- Premises liability. Property owners must ensure safe conditions to prevent slip-and-fall incidents, inadequate security, and swimming pool accidents.
- Defective products. Dangerous equipment and medical devices can cause catastrophic harm if poorly designed or manufactured.
- Recreational accidents. Boating, skiing, and sports activities may result in serious injuries due to the high impact and limited safety precautions.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Getting hit by a motor vehicle of any kind often leads to severe, life changing injuries.
This is certainly not a complete list of the ways that catastrophic injuries occur in and around Buffalo. However, before you make any decisions about your claim, we encourage you to reach out to an attorney for a free consultation as soon as possible.
What Can Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Buffalo Do for You?
Catastrophic injuries are given different valuations in personal injury claims. Serious injuries are often calculated by comparing similar cases, especially for intangible damages like pain and suffering. However, catastrophic injury claims are far more complex and wide-ranging:
- The financial impact over a lifetime is exponentially higher.
- Life-long consequences, including permanent physical and cognitive defects, may further deteriorate over time.
- There is often greater medical scrutiny that requires expert medical testimony and complex medical records.
The value of catastrophic injury claims is significantly higher, leading to a greater chance of going to court. At Towey Law, PLLC, our catastrophic injury attorneys are skilled litigators who will aggressively defend your rights.
How Are Catastrophic Injuries Defined?
What separates serious injuries from catastrophic ones is the extent they will affect someone’s life. Catastrophic injuries are defined as bodily damage so profound that the victim may never fully recover. Social Security Disability Insurance Statistics states that 1 out of 4 20-year-olds will become disabled before reaching retirement age.
Catastrophic injuries can include:
- Severe burn injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma
- Amputation and loss of a limb
- Severe broken and fractured bones
- Spinal cord injuries, including paraplegia and paralysis
- Hearing loss eye injuries, including loss of vision
- Hand and arm injuries
- Crush injuries
- Severe nerve or ligament damage
- Internal injuries, including bleeding and organ damage
- Foot and leg injuries
- Neck and shoulder injuries
If a catastrophic injury ultimately resulted in the death of an individual, please view our Buffalo wrongful death lawyers page.
How to Determine if I Have a Catastrophic Injury Case
A catastrophic injury case often involves substantial compensation due to the long-term effects on the victim’s life. Here is how to assess whether you have a valid claim:
- Nature and severity of injury. Catastrophic injuries usually result in permanent disabilities, loss of limb function, cognitive impairment, or disfigurement. They also significantly impact your ability to work, perform daily tasks, or enjoy life.
- Liability and negligence. To prove a case, you must demonstrate that another party’s negligence directly caused your injury. This includes.
- Duty of care. The other party owed you a legal duty of care.
- Breach of duty. They breached this duty through negligent actions or inaction.
- Causation. The breach directly led to your injury.
- Damages. Your injury resulted in significant physical, emotional, and financial damages.
- Applicable insurance policies. Identify which insurance policies apply, such as auto, homeowners, commercial, or workers’ compensation insurance. A skilled attorney can help interpret these policies and determine coverage.
- Consult an attorney. A knowledgeable Buffalo catastrophic injury attorney will evaluate your case’s merits, identify liable parties, and build a robust claim. They will also guide you through the process and negotiate with insurance companies to secure fair compensation.
Time Limit for Filing a New York Injury Claim
In general, personal injury victims in Buffalo, New York, will need to file their claims within three years from the date the injury occurred. The personal injury statute of limitations is fairly stringent with very few exceptions, and failing to file a claim within this deadline will likely result in a victim being unable to recover any compensation for their losses.
In addition to the deadlines associated with filing a claim in civil court, please be aware that insurance carriers will have their own individual reporting deadlines. Typically, these internal deadlines are much shorter. Failing to file a claim with an insurance carrier promptly could jeopardize a victim’s ability to recover the compensation they need.
What Damages Can a Buffalo Catastrophic Injuries Attorney Help Me Secure?
Damages vary from case to case. Every catastrophic injury claim is unique, especially if they involve a car accident. If you or a loved one has suffered life-altering injuries in such an event, you need a skilled car accident attorney in Buffalo to help in the complex litigation.
Our dedicated legal team has successfully secured compensation for clients that include:
- Coverage of medical expenses presently and in the future
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
What Should You Do if You Are Suffering From a Serious Injury
If you or a loved one have sustained a serious injury, the immediate aftermath can be confusing and overwhelming. Here are essential steps to take to protect your well-being and legal rights:
- Seek medical attention. Your health should be the top priority. Even if the injury appears minor, seek immediate medical evaluation. This ensures timely treatment, prevents complications, and creates medical records that will serve as critical evidence.
- Document the incident. Take detailed photographs of your injuries and the scene where they occurred. If you cannot document due to the severity of your injuries, ask someone you trust to do so. Write down or record your recollections of what happened as soon as possible.
- Collect witness information. Gather contact details of anyone who witnessed the incident. Their statements may be vital in supporting your claim.
- Report the incident. Notify relevant authorities or entities (which could vary, depending on where the injury occurred). For example:
- Workplace. Report the incident to your supervisor and file a workers’ compensation claim. Fairly strict reporting deadlines apply to Buffalo work injury claims, including when to report to an employer and when to file the workers’ compensation claim.
- Vehicle accident. Report to the police and obtain a copy of the police report. Nearly every vehicle accident that occurs in NY must be reported to police officers.
- Premises. Inform property owners or managers. It can be challenging to figure out who controls a property, and there may be multiple entities behind one location.
- Maintain medical records and expenses. Keep a comprehensive record of all medical treatments and expenses related to your injury. This will help establish the cost of your injury for a future claim.
- Avoid social media. Refrain from posting about your injury or activities on social media, as insurance companies may use these posts to undermine your case.
- Consult an attorney. Contact a Buffalo premises accident lawyer specializing in catastrophic injuries. They will guide you through the claims process, ensure you meet deadlines, and help build a solid case for compensation.
Representing Family Members in Fatal Accident Cases
Under New York law, the personal representative of the deceased individual’s estate is responsible for filing the lawsuit. Sometimes, this person is referred to as the executor. Family members are not allowed to personally file the wrongful death claim in court unless that family member is actually the personal representative of the estate.
Wrongful death claims are challenging, and we strongly encourage any family members or personal representatives of an estate to reach out to an attorney with experience handling these claims.
Contact One of Our Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in Buffalo Today
The esteemed attorneys of Towey Law, PLLC know that the success of a personal injury claim is largely dependent on skill. Our Buffalo catastrophic injury attorneys are here to serve our community. If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to negligence, we will fight to recover the damages you deserve.
Consult with one of our dedicated lawyers today to discuss your case. You can contact Towey Law for a free consultation by clicking here or calling (716) 300-8232.