Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Greensboro NC

Have you suffered a catastrophic injury, and someone else is to blame for it? If so, you may be dealing with painful physical limitations, missed time at work, and a growing pile of medical bills.

Fortunately, you have the right to hold negligent parties financially responsible for their actions and demand money for the harm they caused you. At Ward Black Law, our Greensboro catastrophic injury lawyers can help you seek fair compensation for your losses.

Contact us today to learn more about your legal options in a free initial consultation.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

The term “catastrophic injury” typically refers to especially severe injuries resulting in prolonged or permanent disability or death. Common examples include the loss of a body part, the loss of some or all ability to use a particular body part, or a loss of cognitive function.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Here are some common types of injuries that can meet the definition of a catastrophic injury:

• Traumatic brain injuries– A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when blunt force trauma, oxygen deprivation, or some other factor damages the brain’s soft tissue. Depending on the circumstances, a TBI can result in permanent brain damage or even death.
• Permanent disfigurement– Some injuries can result in extensive scarring or disfigurement that can permanently interfere with the victim’s ability to move, care for themselves, or find gainful employment.
• Spinal cord injuries– The spinal cord is a delicate structure that transmits impulses from the brain throughout the nervous system. When the spinal cord is damaged, function and sensation may be lost below the injury site.
• Serious burns– Third- and fourth-degree burns can destroy the skin and the soft tissues underneath it, sometimes all the way down to the muscle or bone. In especially severe cases, burn victims can suffer extensive scarring and loss of sensation due to damaged nerve endings.
• Traumatic amputations– A traumatic amputation is caused at the scene of the accident rather than through surgical intervention after the fact. The amputation of any body part can be life-changing. Even though physical therapy and prosthetics can help amputees regain certain abilities, nothing can fully restore the loss of a limb or digit.
• Internal organ trauma– Crushing injuries, puncture wounds, and other types of trauma can directly pierce or damage internal organs such as the lungs, stomach, or intestines. If left untreated, this internal injury can result in blood loss, sepsis, and death.

Common Accidents That Cause Catastrophic Injuries in Greensboro

Catastrophic injuries in Greensboro frequently result from:

• Motor vehicle accidents– Collisions involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other motor vehicles are among the most common causes of catastrophic injuries. The violent transfer of energy that occurs when a vehicle strikes another object is often more than enough to break bones, sever limbs, and cause other types of trauma.
• Workplace accidents– Workplace accidents can happen in any industry, but catastrophic injuries are prevalent in certain workplaces. Workers in construction, agriculture, and transportation are particularly prone to catastrophic on-the-job injuries.
• Unsafe premises accidents– Property owners are often responsible for injuries that lawful visitors suffer on their premises. If an owner fails to keep their property in a reasonably safe condition or fails to warn visitors of potential hazards, catastrophic injuries can result from slips and falls, negligent security, or unattended animals, for example.
• Defective product accidents– We have a reasonable expectation that manufacturers and retailers of potentially hazardous products like lawnmowers or airbags take certain precautions to ensure the products are safe. When they fail to do so and release dangerously defective products onto the market, they can be held financially responsible for resulting catastrophic injuries.
• Nursing home abuse or neglect– All too often, nursing home residents suffer catastrophic injuries due to abuse or neglect at the hands of their caregivers. When that happens, the nursing homes’ owners and operators may be held legally liable.

How Can I Get Compensation for My Catastrophic Injury in Greensboro?

Depending on the circumstances, you may have several options for seeking compensation after a catastrophic injury in Greensboro.

If the liable party is covered by insurance, such as auto insurance or property insurance, you may be able to seek compensation through an insurance claim. If you were injured at work, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit with the help of an attorney to demand compensation in court.

However, under North Carolina’s pure contributory negligence laws, you may be barred from recovering compensation if you are found to be in any way at fault for your injuries. In other words, you cannot obtain compensation from a lawsuit if the court determines you were even 1 percent at fault for the accident and the other party is 99 percent at fault.

Difference Between Catastrophic Injury Cases and Other Personal Injury Cases

Some key differences make catastrophic injury cases unique from other personal injury cases.

For one, catastrophic injury victims typically take longer to reach maximum medical improvement, which means cases can take months or even years to settle. Catastrophic injuries also tend to require expensive treatment, which significantly increases the average value of a claim – and decreases the willingness of many for-profit insurance companies to cover it.

Finally, catastrophic injuries often have life-long effects on victims and their loved ones. In addition to compensation for medical expenses, people who have suffered catastrophic injuries can often claim compensation for lost wages, lost earning capacity, and lost quality of life.

Catastrophic Injury Statute of Limitations in North Carolina

Three years is the standard deadline for personal injury lawsuits in North Carolina, including those involving catastrophic injuries. If you have grounds for a catastrophic injury lawsuit but wait too long to file, the court will most likely dismiss your case. That would result in the loss of your ability to claim compensation, regardless of how strong your case may be.