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Los Angeles Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Legally Reviewed By: Jud Waltman

Injuries happen every day in Los Angeles. However, some injuries are more serious than others. The Los Angeles County Department of Health reports that injuries are the leading cause of death between the ages of 1 and 44. 

When you’re the victim of severe injuries that fundamentally alter your health or require ongoing treatment, you can seek compensation by filing a catastrophic injury lawsuit against the responsible party.

Compensation can bring much-needed financial aid to cover the cost of high medical bills and bring financial relief when a severe injury leaves you unable to return to work.  

If you’ve been involved in a catastrophic injury, an experienced Los Angeles catastrophic injury lawyer can help. Contact The Lanier Law Firm today to speak with a lawyer about seeking compensation for your injuries.

Recovering from Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are serious injuries that prevent someone from working or completing essential daily tasks. Injuries that result in blindness and paralysis are also considered to be catastrophic injuries. 

Some of the most common catastrophic injuries include:

Catastrophic injuries can also refer to injuries that result in or eventually lead to death. 

Not all catastrophic injuries are permanent. However, even a temporary inability to work can have serious financial consequences and is likely to be accompanied by high medical bills and the need for catastrophic injury rehab

While recovery or partial recovery may be possible, individuals who have experienced a catastrophic injury have a high likelihood of dealing with lifelong pain and discomfort. 

Physical recovery does not always imply a full return to the same abilities that existed before the injury occurred. Recovered individuals may never return to work. They may be deprived of sexual function or the ability to drive a vehicle. 

After a catastrophic injury, it’s common for victims to experience decreased enjoyment of life due to the lasting effects of the injury.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Los Angeles

There are many ways to sustain a catastrophic injury. Some of the most common causes include: 

A catastrophic accident can happen to anyone, anywhere. The degree of injury and disability is what matters when it comes to seeking compensation. If your quality of life and finances are severely impacted by an injury, consulting with an attorney can help you learn whether you qualify for a catastrophic injury lawsuit. 

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

There are three main categories of catastrophic injury: physical, cognitive, and spinal cord injuries. These are considered catastrophic because there’s a high likelihood that damage is permanent. When recovery is possible, it’s unlikely the individual will return to the same state of health that existed before the accident.

physical injuries

Physical Injuries

Physical injuries commonly involve loss of orthopedic function. This refers to loss of mobility and function that is often temporary. 

Physical injuries can include:

  • Fractures
  • Burns
  • Amputation
  • Tissue damage

Of the three types of catastrophic injury, physical injury has the best chance of recovery.

cognitive injuries

Cognitive Injuries

Cognitive injuries are often the result of traumatic brain injury. Damage to the brain can have catastrophic results, creating issues with the following: 

  • Memory
  • Speech
  • Comprehension
  • Motivation
  • Concentration
  • Reasoning 
  • Empathy

Cognitive injuries tend to be the most expensive type of catastrophic injury due to the high costs of treatment and ongoing care. It’s possible for a catastrophic injury to radically alter an individual’s personality.

spinal cord injuries

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries frequently result in full or partial paralysis, numbness, and other nerve issues. Because the spinal cord connects the nerves to the brain, spinal cord injuries can result in a wide range of issues, such as loss of bladder control, loss of sexual function, and loss of fertility. 

How much does a catastrophic injury lawyer in Los Angeles cost?

The Los Angeles catastrophic injury lawyers at The Lanier Law Firm work with clients on a contingency-fee basis. In a contingency arrangement, your attorney fees are factored as a percentage of your overall compensation value. This means that you don’t have to pay anything upfront, and you only pay if you win your case.

Contingency-fee arrangements benefit both clients and attorneys by providing further motivation for your attorneys to work their hardest to obtain the maximum compensation.

Damages Available in a Catastrophic Injury Case

There are two types of damages available to you in a Los Angeles catastrophic injury case: economic and non-economic. 

Economic damages serve as compensation for the financial costs or losses directly caused by the accident. When seeking economic damages, you must provide proof of your losses. 

Proof can take many forms, including the following: 

  • Medical bills
  • Physical therapist bills
  • Prescription drug receipts
  • Medical equipment receipts
  • Pay stubs or W-2s to show lost income
  • Other injury-related expenses 

Anything related to the injury that costs you money can be included in economic damages.

Non-economic damages are the other primary type of compensation you can seek after a catastrophic injury. These are intended to provide compensation for injury-related damage that doesn’t have a demonstrable cost attached to it. 

Examples of non-economic damage claims include the following:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional distress
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Permanent disfigurement
  • Permanent disability
  • Loss of consortium 

Possible compensation can range widely depending on the extent of damages and the ability to demonstrate them in court.

California Statutes of Limitations for Catastrophic Injury Claims

A statute of limitations identifies the deadline for filing a lawsuit. Different types of claims have different time limits. 

A catastrophic injury is considered “injury to a person,” and there is a two-year time limit for filing a lawsuit.

California law allows one exception to this. If the injury is discovered later, the statute of limitations can be extended so that the two-year limit begins at the time of discovery. 

When a catastrophic injury results from medical malpractice, you typically have only one year to take legal action, but some cases allow for legal action up to three years later

a courthouse in Los Angeles

Who is liable for my injury?

Liability in a catastrophic injury case depends on proving negligence. If your attorneys can prove that the other party showed negligence, they are then liable for your injuries. 

There is a four-part legal formula for proving negligence. Your lawyer must demonstrate the following: 

  • The other party had a duty of care to you.
  • The duty of care was broken or breached.
  • Your injuries were caused by that breach.
  • You have actual injuries that can be demonstrated.

When you prove these four points, the other party is legally liable for your injuries. These can apply to a person or another entity, such as a manufacturer. 

For example, if your injuries stemmed from a car accident caused by another person who was driving while texting, that person can be held liable. If the accident was caused by the brakes on your car malfunctioning, you might be able to hold the vehicle manufacturer liable for producing an unsafe vehicle. 

Every catastrophic injury case is different. Your attorney will get to know you and the details of your case. Then they will identify who should be held liable and begin building a case. 

Why hire the Los Angeles attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm?

The catastrophic injury attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm are nationally recognized for outstanding trial results with billion-dollar verdicts. The Lanier Law Firm has gained recognition for defending clients against some of the country’s largest companies. 

Attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm’s Los Angeles office successfully work to gain fair compensation for clients after their lives are derailed by a catastrophic injury. When experienced attorneys work to build a strong case on your behalf, you can rest assured that you’ve secured for yourself the best chance of gaining compensation to cover your damages.  

The Lanier Law Firm’s Los Angeles office is located on the 2829 Townsgate Rd. Suite 100, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

The Lanier Law Firm has the resources and expertise to help you get fair and just compensation. Contact us today to find out how we can help you or your loved one after a catastrophic accident.

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