A personal injury can happen in many unexpected ways, and if another party has harmed you through any type of negligence or illegal misconduct, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. However, while some personal injury victims eventually make full recoveries, others are not so fortunate. A catastrophic injury can leave the victim disabled for life, preventing them from working and supporting themselves and their family or even preventing them from living independently at all.
If you or a loved one recently suffered any type of catastrophic injury, it is vital to know the value of having legal counsel you can trust on your side. A Denver, CO, catastrophic injury attorney can provide guidance and support through your recovery efforts, helping you to hold the defendant accountable for the harm they’ve done and secure fair compensation for your losses. The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal has years of professional experience representing personal injury victims, and our team is ready to assist you in your recovery efforts after experiencing a catastrophic injury.
Benefits of Having Legal Counsel on Your Side
There is no law that requires that you hire an attorney to help you file a personal injury claim. It is technically possible to file your suit on your own without a legal representative, but this would be incredibly difficult and risky, even for a relatively minor personal injury case. When you have experienced a catastrophic injury, it is essential to have legal representation you can trust so you can have the greatest chance of successfully proving fault and securing appropriate compensation for the extensive damages you’ve suffered.
Without an attorney, you would be forced to meet very strict court filing deadlines, handle evidence gathering, and prove the full extent of your losses on your own. Whether you are struggling with an injury yourself or caring for your injured loved one, handling these legal affairs on top of your personal and medical obligations would be exceedingly difficult. When you have a catastrophic injury attorney representing you, they can handle your claim proceedings so you can focus on recovery.
Your attorney is also likely to uncover every channel of compensation available in your case. The average person is usually able to identify immediately recognizable damages like their hospital bills and property damage, but a catastrophic injury almost always entails extensive long-term damages. For example, you not only have the right to claim compensation for lost income immediately following your injury but also for the income you will be unable to earn in the future. Accurately calculating projected losses like these would be extremely challenging for the average person.
When you have a catastrophic injury attorney working on your case, they can help accurately determine the full range of future economic damages you can claim, and they will ensure you receive as much compensation as state law allows for the pain and suffering you experienced. Ultimately, you are more likely to win your case and more likely to maximize the total compensation you secure when you have a seasoned catastrophic injury attorney working on your case.
FAQs
Q: When Does a Personal Injury Qualify as Catastrophic?
A: The term “catastrophic injury” generally applies to any personal injury that results in permanent harm to the victim. This could mean they suffered a permanent disability, disfigurement, or any other type of long-term or permanent harm that diminishes their quality of life, ability to work and earn income, and ability to live independently. Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries are some of the most common examples of catastrophic injuries reported in the Denver area.
Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Catastrophic Injury in Denver?
A: Under Colorado’s personal injury statute, the defendant who caused your catastrophic injury is fully liable for all economic losses associated with the injury. This means you can seek compensation for immediate and future medical expenses, property damage, and lost income. If you are disabled and will not be able to return to work in the future, then you can claim compensation for your lost future earnings as well. State law also enables a plaintiff to claim pain and suffering compensation, but there is a cap on the amount you can claim, even if you were permanently injured.
Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Claim?
A: If you plan to file any type of personal injury claim, you must meet the state’s two-year statute of limitations. This time limit starts on the date your injury occurred. However, if the cause of your injury can’t be immediately determined, or if the defendant who caused it concealed their liability in any way, the statute of limitations could instead begin on the date you discovered the harm done by the defendant.
Q: What Happens if I Partially Caused My Injury?
A: The state enforces the modified comparative negligence rule in cases in which plaintiffs share liability with defendants for causing their claimed damages. If the facts of your case reveal that you are partially to blame for causing your injury, you will lose a corresponding percentage of your final case award as a penalty. For example, 20% fault means the loss of 20% of the total compensation won from the defendant. If you are 50% or more at fault, then you lose the right to claim compensation from the defendant.
Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Catastrophic Injury Attorney?
A: Most of the personal injury attorneys representing cases in Denver and surrounding communities accept their clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning the client pays their attorney a percentage of the total case award won from the defendant. However, they only pay this fee if and when the attorney wins their case. If the attorney is unsuccessful in their attempt to secure compensation for the client, there is no fee.
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal has helped many personal injury victims recover from a wide range of complex cases, including those involving catastrophic, life-changing injuries. If you have been permanently harmed by the negligence or misconduct of any other party, it is essential to find an attorney you can trust to help hold them accountable. Contact us today to make an appointment for your free consultation with our team and learn what we can do to help you recover.
