Catastrophic Injury Attorneys

Something sudden and terrible has happened.  You ask: “Do I have the right to seek compensation?”

A catastrophe is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “a momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune to utter overthrow or ruin.”  When we think of a catastrophe, we mostly think of a violent or sudden change in weather, or an earthquake.  But an airplane crash, fire caused by faulty wiring, explosion from a defective propane tank, a hunting injury, a high speed police chase, or a multiple vehicle highway crash can all be catastrophes, too.  And those catastrophes can cause catastrophic injuries.  It is the violent and unusually destructive nature of the injury that makes these events especially tragic.  And it is the fact that they are so preventable that adds to the tragedy.

Catastrophic injuries often cause permanent damage and substantially life altering disability. While catastrophic injuries can improve over time with proper treatment and care, the cost of such care can quickly become staggering. At Briggs & Wholey we understand the need to obtain quality health care, replace income and find other financial support while treating lifelong injuries caused through no fault of your own.

What are some examples of a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury is one that is so severe that the injured cannot possibly resume the life led prior to the accident. Catastrophic injuries include:

• Spinal cord injury that results in partial or total paralysis
• Traumatic brain injury with the loss of body functions and memory
• Damage to major internal organs that require extensive care like dialysis or pace makers
• Bone fractures that cause permanent loss of mobility
• Loss of hearing
• Loss of vision
• Nerve damage that affects physical sensitivity or action
• Amputation of limbs or fingers
• Severe burns that cause disfigurement or loss of mobility

Under Maine law, you can recover money damages when your injuries resulted from the careless or reckless conduct of another.

Catastrophic Injury Affects Many Aspects of Life

Following a catastrophic injury accident, the victim may never be able maintain the same earning capacity they had before or even return to work. The victim’s family members’ lives can also dramatically change. The intensive care required and loss of income greatly affects everyone’s daily activities. Insurance companies take advantage of injured people and their families at the most vulnerable time immediately after a catastrophic injury. Insurance companies-whose primary interest is earning money for shareholders- often push a newly injured person to accept an offered settlement that is far below the value of medical bills, lost wages and additional care needed in the future. Research shows that having an experienced personal injury attorney representing a catastrophic injury victim greatly increases the chances of maximizing the compensation a family receives.

Helping You Seek Justice

Briggs & Wholey has both knowledge of Maine personal injury law, and the loopholes insurance companies and at-fault parties often try use to shield themselves from paying the compensation they owe. Our job is to make sure that they are unsuccessful in withholding money they are responsible to pay for their insured’s negligence. We represent clients from across the entire State of Maine, and are happy to meet with you in your home if you are unable to travel to one of our offices. If you have been injured in a catastrophic injury accident, and need to speak to an experienced Maine trial lawyer, contact our office at (888) 596-1099 or online for a free, confidential consultation.