Redding Catastrophic Injury Attorney

Fighting For Catastrophic Injury Victims in California

A catastrophic injury results in severe and lasting consequences for the victim. Unlike minor injuries, which may heal over time, catastrophic injuries can cause permanent disabilities, significant physical pain, and a diminished ability to work or perform everyday tasks. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

Catastrophic injuries commonly involve damage to the brain, spinal cord, or other major body systems. They may occur due to motor vehicle accidents, industrial accidents, slips and falls, and assaults.

To request a free case evaluation, call (530) 491-4727 or contact us online today to get started with our catastrophic injury lawyer in Redding.

Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries take many forms, and their effects vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. Below are some of the most common types of catastrophic injuries:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A TBI occurs when a sudden impact or blow to the head causes brain damage. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain injuries that cause cognitive impairment, memory loss, or permanent vegetative states. TBI victims may require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, therapy, and help with daily activities.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or complete paralysis, depending on the location and severity. Paralysis may affect the legs (paraplegia) or the entire body below the neck (quadriplegia). People with spinal cord injuries often face lifelong challenges, needing mobility aids, home modifications, and continued medical treatment.
• Severe Burn Injuries: Burns can result from fires, explosions, chemical exposure, or electrical accidents. Severe burns may lead to permanent scarring, nerve damage, and loss of mobility. Burn injury victims may face emotional trauma and need multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and long-term rehabilitation.
• Amputations: Losing a limb is traumatic. Amputation injuries can result from car accidents, industrial accidents, or medical malpractice. While prosthetics and rehabilitation help some people regain function, amputation leads to significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges.
• Internal Organ Damage: Accidents can cause injuries to organs like the liver, kidneys, or lungs, with potentially life-threatening consequences. Victims may need surgery and long-term medical care, and internal organ damage can cause permanent disability or death.
• Multiple Fractures: Severe trauma, such as high-speed collisions or falls from heights, can cause multiple fractures. These injuries may take months to heal and can result in chronic pain, nerve damage, and limited mobility.

Long-Term Effects of Catastrophic Injuries

The aftermath of a catastrophic injury can be overwhelming for both the injured person and their family. Beyond immediate physical harm, the long-term effects of these injuries can include:

• Physical Disabilities: Many catastrophic injury victims are left with permanent disabilities that significantly limit their ability to work, care for themselves, or enjoy life as before. These disabilities may include paralysis or loss of mobility or motor function.
• Chronic Pain: Even with the best medical treatment, catastrophic injury victims may experience chronic pain for the rest of their lives. Managing pain often requires ongoing treatment, surgeries, medications, and physical therapy.
• Emotional and Psychological Trauma: Living with a catastrophic injury can cause emotional and psychological distress. Many victims face depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Adapting to life with a permanent injury affects relationships and overall quality of life.
• Financial Burden: Catastrophic injuries frequently bring significant financial strain. Victims may have large medical bills, ongoing rehabilitation costs, and long-term care needs. Many can no longer return to work, which leads to lost wages and future earnings.
• Impact on Family and Relationships: A catastrophic injury affects not only the individual but also their loved ones. Family members may need to become caregivers, leading to financial and emotional stress. Relationships often change as families adapt to new realities after a catastrophic injury.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to file a catastrophic injury lawsuit in California?

California usually gives you two years from the date of an accident to file a catastrophic injury lawsuit, but the period can be shorter if a government agency is involved. Missing the deadline may prevent your claim from moving forward, so prompt legal action matters.

What types of damages can I claim after a catastrophic injury?

Damages may include medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by the injury. Some cases may also include future care needs or home changes needed for a permanent disability.

How does shared fault affect my catastrophic injury claim?

Under California's comparative fault rules, if you share some responsibility for the accident, the court may reduce your compensation based on your percentage of fault. Your award covers only losses caused by another party's negligence.

How Our Redding Catastrophic Injury Attorney Can Help

If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else's actions, you need a serious injury attorney who can protect your rights. At the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley, our Redding catastrophic injury lawyers have the experience and resources to investigate your situation, build a strong claim, and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Here's how we can help:

• Proving Negligence: In a catastrophic injury case, you must show that someone else acted negligently. Our legal team investigates the circumstances, gathers evidence, and consults the right professionals to build a convincing case.
• Maximizing Compensation: Catastrophic injuries can cause high medical bills, lost wages, and emotional pain. Our attorneys work to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and costs for necessary changes to your home or lifestyle.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies may try to pay less in catastrophic injury claims. Our team handles communication with insurers to pursue a fair settlement. If a reasonable agreement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take the case to court.

Legal claims in catastrophic injury cases often involve strict deadlines, called statutes of limitations. Missing those deadlines may prevent you from securing compensation, so timing is critical. In these cases, available damages can include both direct losses, like medical expenses and lost earnings, and indirect losses, like pain and suffering and loss of quality of life. Attorneys may work with medical professionals, life-care planners, and other advisors to document and value losses over the victim's lifetime. These steps help secure resources to support long-term stability and recovery.

If you have a potentially serious injury claim, please contact us today at (530) 491-4727 for your free initial consultation with our skilled Redding catastrophic injury lawyer.