Catastrophic injuries are devastating and have a profound, lasting impact on victims and families in Hermosa Beach, California. If you have suffered a life-altering injury caused by someone else, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and more. A Hermosa Beach personal injury attorney can help you fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Since 2009, The Simon Law Group has fought on behalf of accident victims in Hermosa Beach, CA. We are committed to giving you the tireless legal representation you deserve.
Schedule a free case review at (424) 722-3209 with a Hermosa Beach catastrophic injury lawyer today to discuss your case and how we can help.
How The Simon Law Group Can Help After A Catastrophic Injury In Hermosa Beach
After a catastrophic injury, the last thing you should worry about is how you will pay your medical bills or deal with an insurance company. A Hermosa Beach personal injury lawyer is the legal advocate you deserve to fight for the fair compensation you need.
The Simon Law Group has more than 250 years of combined experience representing catastrophic injury victims. Since 2009, we have recovered more than $600 million for our clients. We will give you the same tireless legal representation.
When you hire our Hermosa Beach, California, law office, you can depend on us to:
- Complete a thorough investigation into your accident
- Identify all parties liable for your injury
- Work with experts to build a strong case based on evidence
- Negotiate on your behalf
- Fight back against insurance company tactics
- Protect your legal rights
- Take your case before a jury if necessary
Call our law firm today to schedule a free consultation with a Hermosa Beach catastrophic injury attorney. We will listen to your story and help you explore your legal options for recovering the compensation you deserve.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
An injury that is severe and has a major, permanent impact on the victim’s life is considered catastrophic.
Catastrophic injuries may:
- Fundamentally alter daily life
- Have a major impact on your ability to work and live independently
- Require extensive rehabilitation
- Require modifications to your home or vehicle
- Necessitate ongoing medical care and supportive services
- Result in permanent disability or limited mobility
These injuries may involve physical and/or cognitive impairment from almost any type of accident.
How Common Are Catastrophic Accidents?
Every year, over 100,000 Americans suffers a catastrophic injury of some type.
The following statistics shed light on the true scope of these life-changing injuries:
- 288,000: TBIs every year that require hospitalization. 13.5 million Americans are living with a disability caused by a brain injury.
- 83,000: Number of traumatic amputations in the U.S. every year.
- 17,800: New spinal cord injuries every year.
- 20,000: Severe burns covering at least 25% of the body every year.
- 655,000: Non-fatal strokes every year.
- 147,000: Number of Americans who are totally blind due to an eye injury. 5-10% of cases of blindness are caused by eye injury.
Many of these injuries are catastrophic, but this is just a handful of common types of catastrophic injuries.
What Is My Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?
Every personal injury case requires careful analysis as no two cases are alike. This is especially true with catastrophic injury cases.
To estimate the value of your case, your personal injury lawyer will consider:
- The type of injuries
- The circumstances of your accident and the defendant’s behavior
- Your estimated future medical needs
- Whether you are able to return to your job or perform any type of work
- The impact of your injuries on your daily life, independence, and quality of life
- How your physical and mental health has been affected
- Your age when you were hurt
You are entitled to recover not only the damages you have already suffered but compensation for future losses and expenses. To calculate the significant and complex losses you are facing, your lawyer will work with financial, vocational, and medical experts.
There are some factors that may limit what you can recover, however. Shared fault and insurance policy limits are two important limiting factors.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Catastrophic Injury Victims in Hermosa Beach, CA?
There is no way to reverse the harm you have suffered or compensate for pain, disfigurement, and suffering. The only way to compensate for these losses is monetary compensation. Injury victims are entitled to compensation from the responsible party for all their losses.
Personal injury damages come in two forms: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Common damages in a catastrophic injury case include:
- Medical bills and future medical expenses including rehabilitation, prosthetics, and home health care
- Lost income
- Lost or reduced earning capacity and employment benefits
- Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
In rare cases, punitive damages may be an option. These damages are designed to punish the defendant for egregious behavior. Only a jury may award punitive damage and only with clear, convincing evidence the defendant engaged in fraud, oppression, or malice.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?
Hiring legal representation after a serious injury should never create a financial burden. At the Simon Law Group, our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you have no out-of-pocket costs for the legal representation you deserve.
You only pay attorneys’ fees if we are successful and recover compensation for you. These legal expenses will be taken out of your recovery. If your case is not successful, you owe no attorneys’ fees.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Catastrophic Injury In California?
California uses a pure comparative fault rule in cases that involve shared fault. Even if you were up to 99% to blame for your accident, you are still entitled to recover compensation for your damages. Under this rule, your financial recovery will be reduced according to your share of fault.
Insurance companies will attempt to shift as much blame as possible to you or other liable parties. The more liability they can shift to you, the less they pay. This can be a substantial amount of money in a case involving a catastrophic injury.
We Fight to Recover Compensation for All Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Our law firm represents clients who have suffered all types of life-changing injuries.
Below are some of the common types of catastrophic injury cases we handle:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
- Amputation
- Severe burns
- Multiple or non-healing fractures
- Organ damage
- Loss of senses such as vision loss
- Electric shock injuries
At The Simon Law Group, we understand that every type of catastrophic injury poses unique and significant challenges and alters your life in profound ways.
What Causes Most Catastrophic Injuries In Hermosa Beach, California?
Any type of accident can result in a life-altering injury. Sadly, catastrophic injuries are usually caused by avoidable accidents, often due to the negligence or intentional behavior of someone else.
Common causes of catastrophic injuries in California include:
- Motor vehicle accidents. Car accidents cause 17% of TBIs and 39% of spinal cord injuries.
- Falls. These accidents cause 35% of TBIs and they are the second-most common cause of spinal cord injuries. Elderly people and people working at heights are most vulnerable to catastrophic fall injuries.
- Workplace accidents. Serious injuries can occur at any type of workplace, but construction sites and warehouses pose a very high risk. Heavy machinery, falls, crushing accidents, and electrical shock are just some of the risks workers face.
- Violence. Assault and gun violence are common causes of brain injuries, organ damage, spinal cord injuries, multiple fractures, and more.
- Sports. Any type of sport can cause serious injury, but the risk is highest with contact sports and extreme sports. These injuries are leading causes of brain injuries and SCIs.
Profound, permanent injuries can happen in many other scenarios like medical malpractice. No matter how your injury occurred, our personal injury lawyers are ready to help you.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Catastrophic Accident In California?
A successful personal injury case requires proving the defendant was negligent and their action or inaction caused your injuries. Someone who has a duty to act with reasonable care but fails to do so is negligent.
There are several elements of negligence to prove:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant breached this duty and did not act with reasonable care
- You suffered injury as a direct and proximate cause
- You suffered damages
If you successfully prove the other party acted negligently, you may be entitled to compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Catastrophic Injury In California?
The California statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years. If you miss this window, you will lose your ability to recover compensation and hold the at-fault party accountable. There are only a few exceptions to the deadline.
Do not delay; contact an experienced Hermosa Beach personal injury attorney today to begin building your case.
Contact Our Hermosa Beach Catastrophic Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Have you suffered a catastrophic injury in Hermosa Beach, CA? You may be entitled to money for the life-changing injury you have suffered. Our Hermosa Beach catastrophic injury lawyers are here to help.
The Simon Law Group has recovered over $600 million for clients like you that have suffered unimaginably due to someone else’s careless or intentional behavior. We have over 250 years of experience handling complex injury cases.
Contact our law office to schedule your free consultation at (424) 722-3209 today.
