Los Angeles Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

As the largest city in California, Los Angeles sees high numbers of catastrophic injuries. Serious injuries can lead to death, long-term disability, and long and uncertain recoveries. If you or a loved one suffered a life-altering injury, you could be entitled to compensation. A Los Angeles catastrophic injury lawyer can help you navigate the injury claims process, so you receive fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and possible non-economic damages.

When dealing with such a tough situation, it’s important to have an expert Los Angeles injury claim lawyer by your side to guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

A Trusted Los Angeles Law Firm That Gets Results

Following a catastrophic injury, you may be struggling with unexpected medical bills and uncertainty about what the future holds. The personal injury lawyers at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP understand what you are going through because we have represented many injured clients and helped them secure the compensation they were owed following a serious injury.

Our Los Angeles law firm is known for being responsive to our clients. Throughout the claims process, we can keep you informed about your case and the possible outcomes of the decisions you make. We view the work we do as a joint effort between our clients and our legal team. We take the time to get to know you and your story because you are not just another number to us.

What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury?

Catastrophic injuries refer to injuries that lead to permanent impairment and long and uncertain recoveries. In many cases, a catastrophic injury is life-threatening and requires urgent emergency treatment and interventions to save the life of the injured individual. Examples of catastrophic injuries include amputations, severe burns, multiple fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

While many injuries lead to recovery timelines of a few days or weeks at most, a catastrophic injury often requires multiple medical treatments and long recovery periods. During this time and even after recovery, the injured party is unable to perform their normal daily activities. They often miss work for long periods of time, which can create significant financial hardships.

A catastrophic injury can provide legal grounds for pursuing compensation. Since these types of injuries are a special class within personal injury claims, they can lead to sizable settlements or court verdicts. A catastrophic injury is also more likely to cause emotional damage in addition to physical harm. This means that many cases may be eligible for non-economic damages in addition to traditional economic damages.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Los Angeles

One key step for pursuing compensation is proving that you know how the injury happened. Some causes of catastrophic injuries are more common than others.

• Car Collisions: Given the millions of drivers on Los Angeles’ roads, it is no surprise that many catastrophic injuries happen on our city’s roads and highways. A car collision can happen to anyone who gets behind the wheel. Rear-end accidents, head-on collisions, and other types of accidents can leave passengers and drivers with head and neck injuries, broken bones, or internal organ damage. Establishing fault requires a knowledge of the state’s traffic laws.
• Work-Related Injuries: Most employers are required to maintain workers’ compensation coverage, but those policies may not cover the full extent of an injured worker’s physical injuries. A personal injury claim may be needed if the employer is uninsured or underinsured. If a third party was involved in the work-related injury, that could also necessitate the need for legal action through the courts.
• Physical Assault: Intentional misconduct can also lead to legal grounds for a personal injury claim. If someone physically assaults you, they can be found both criminally and civilly liable for the harm they caused.
• Slips and Falls: A slip or fall may sound minor, but it can lead to serious head injuries, lacerations, and other forms of serious bodily injury. Anyone who suffers harm on someone else’s property could hold the business or property owner liable. Premises liability cases can lead to compensation for economic and non-economic damages.

Regardless of the cause of your injury, a Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorney can gather evidence to establish liability and prove the full extent of your damages. If negligence caused your injury, you must show the defendant breached their duty of care. In cases involving illegal misconduct, your attorney can explain how criminal charges may affect your civil claim.

Short and Long-Term Consequences of a Serious Injury

A catastrophic injury can lead to immediate hardships that include emotional shock, physical pain, and the urgent need for life-saving medical care. Many catastrophic injuries require long hospital stays and follow-up treatments. Serious injuries may even require a series of surgeries before recovery can begin.

The long-term consequences of a catastrophic injury can include chronic pain, psychological trauma, and temporary or permanent mobility issues. Injured patients often experience flashbacks to the moment of their injury. Long-term mental health afflictions can develop that lead to PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders.

While other injuries require days or weeks of recovery, there may never be a full recovery from a catastrophic injury. Beyond the lingering physical injuries, injured individuals may be left struggling with the realities of high medical bills, the need for long-term care, and lost wages.

Legal Options for Catastrophic Injury Victims

If the injury resulted from a vehicular collision, the injured party has the right to pursue compensation with the help of a car accident lawyer who understands California’s traffic and personal injury laws.

An attorney can establish liability and negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier to ensure that you receive the compensation that you are owed. If the driver is underinsured or their insurance cap prevents you from being fully compensated for your injury, your attorney can file a personal injury claim in court.

Depending on the cause of your injury, your attorney may be able to pursue a product liability claim or another type of legal action through the courts that compels the negligent to pay you what you are owed.

Beyond car accidents, personal injury claims may arise from slip-and-falls, workplace accidents, medical malpractice, or defective products. In Los Angeles, proving negligence is essential for securing damages, whether against property owners, businesses, or healthcare providers.

Understanding Wrongful Death Claims

Catastrophic injuries often lead to grave injuries. Even when life-saving care is given at a hospital, the injured party may succumb to their injuries at a hospital or even days or weeks later. California’s wrongful death laws allow surviving loved ones, like spouses and children, to take legal action on behalf of their deceased loved one.

Compensation from a wrongful death claim may lead to compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and the emotional suffering endured by the decedent’s loss. If the deceased individual provided for their family, future lost earnings can be added to a settlement or court verdict. Proving a wrongful death case requires evidence that one or more party’s actions or misconduct led to someone’s death.

Compensation Available for Catastrophic Injury Victims

Victims of a catastrophic injury have the right to pursue compensation from the person who caused their injury. With the help of a catastrophic injury attorney, the injured party can seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses for past and upcoming treatments and long-term care
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional trauma they endured
• Home modifications like wheelchair ramps and mobility aids
• Punitive damages for cases that involve extreme negligence or intentional harm

Calculating the total value of these and other damages can be complicated. A personal injury attorney can guide the injured party through the process of calculating the value of their damages so they are fully compensated for their financial losses.

Proving Liability in a Catastrophic Injury Case

Before any party can be compelled to compensate the injured party, there must be evidence that establishes which party is financially liable for causing the injury. For injuries that result from a traffic accident, the state’s traffic laws can provide the basis for establishing fault.

A personal injury claim requires proof that the defendant had a duty of care to avoid taking actions that could harm another person. The evidence must show that they breached that duty, which resulted in real and measurable harm to the plaintiff.

The plaintiff’s attorney can build a strong case by gathering key evidence like medical reports, accident reports, witness statements, and testimony from individuals who have special knowledge about the type of injury that occurred.

Negligent parties and their insurance companies often take steps to avoid liability. They may say that the injured party caused their own injury or played a significant role in causing the accident. By gathering evidence early on in a claim, the injured party and their attorney can build a strong case that leads to a favorable claim outcome and fair settlement.

Why Legal Representation Is Critical

A catastrophic injury can leave you facing mounting medical bills, lost income, and long-term care needs. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether, making it difficult to secure the compensation you deserve. An experienced Los Angeles catastrophic injury lawyer understands California law, gathers crucial evidence, and negotiates aggressively on your behalf.

Legal representation ensures that your case is properly handled, whether through negotiation or litigation. A skilled attorney can calculate damages, present expert testimony, and fight for maximum compensation. Without legal support, you risk receiving far less than you need for recovery. Hiring a lawyer significantly improves your chances of a successful outcome.

FAQs About Los Angeles,CA Catastrophic Injury Law

How Do I Find the Right Attorney for a Catastrophic Injury Claim?

You can find the right attorney for a catastrophic injury claim by asking friends and family members for referrals. If you cannot find referrals, you can research local law firms that have handled cases like yours. Read reviews and see what past clients have said about the attorney. Come to an initial consultation with questions prepared so you can gain a clear idea of whether an attorney is the right fit for your case.

What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury is a severe, life-altering injury that results in permanent disability or long-term medical care. These injuries often include spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, severe burns, and paralysis. Victims may be unable to work or care for themselves, requiring ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and financial assistance to cover long-term needs.

How Much Do Accident Attorneys Charge in California?

Most accident attorneys in California work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they recover compensation for you. The fee is typically a percentage of the settlement or court award and depends on factors like case complexity, litigation costs, and whether the case is resolved through settlement or trial.

What Are the Four Types of Personal Injuries?

The four main types of personal injuries include bodily injuries, emotional distress, reputational harm, and financial losses. Bodily injuries result from accidents, medical malpractice, or workplace incidents. Emotional distress includes psychological trauma. Reputational harm involves defamation or slander. Financial losses occur due to fraud, contract breaches, or other negligent actions causing monetary damage.

What Happens When Someone Dies From a Catastrophic Injury?

If someone dies from a catastrophic injury, their family may pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. Compensation can cover medical expenses, lost wages, funeral costs, and emotional suffering. In some cases, the estate may also file a survival action to recover damages the deceased suffered before their death.

Schedule Your Catastrophic Injury Consultation Today

You should not live with the financial fallout of someone else’s negligence or misconduct. With legal representation from Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, you can secure the compensation that you are owed. Our law firm has built a strong reputation for getting results for our clients. We understand how important compensation is for serving justice and shoring up your financial losses.

From the day we represent you, you’ll benefit from our years of knowledge and strategic approach to cases. We won’t rest until you are fully compensated for your injuries. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation so we can begin learning about your case and your goals.