When you start your day, you never would imagine ending it at the hospital with a life-altering injury. Unfortunately, that is a story that far too many clients have seen become their reality. While many accident injuries are relatively minor and take only a few weeks or months to heal, certain accidents are so severe that they result in catastrophic injuries that significantly impact your ability to function.
If you suffered a severe injury due to an accident that someone else caused, it will be incredibly devastating for you and your entire family. Your condition may prevent you from going to work or participating in the activities you enjoy. Additionally, you may be facing thousands of dollars in medical bills. With all of this mounting, it is hard to know where to turn or what to do to get help.
If you have sustained a severe injury in an accident whether it was a car accident, truck accident, or slip and fall accident in Hernando County, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about your potential legal options. You may be entitled to a significant amount of compensation from the person responsible for your accident. Our Spring Hill catastrophic injury attorneys can guide you through the legal claims process to help you seek the justice that you rightfully deserve.
What Are the Typical Causes of Severe Injuries in Spring Hill?
Catastrophic injuries can stem from a wide range of accidents. At Hancock Injury Attorneys, our legal team can handle life-altering injury cases involving:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Slips and falls
- Workplace accidents
- Apartment building fires
- Nursing home abuse
- Defective product accidents
Each of these accidents can happen under unique circumstances. However, the common thread among these situations is negligence. These accidents typically occur when a person or entity acts recklessly or fails to act. No matter what type of accident you were in, if negligence played a role in your injuries, you may have a valid legal claim against the at-fault party.
Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Any permanent or long-term injury that significantly impacts your ability to navigate daily life can be considered catastrophic. Our team has dealt with legal claims for various types of catastrophic injuries, including:
- Complex bone fractures and crushed bones
- Severe burns
- Spinal cord damage
- Brain trauma
- Loss of limbs, fingers, and appendages
- Loss of cognitive function
- Paralysis
Any of these injuries can derail your life in an instant. In addition to emergency medical care, you might need expensive surgeries, physical therapy, or even long-term at-home care. If you are overwhelmed by the effects of a catastrophic accident, consider reaching out to our skilled Spring Hill lawyers.
Holding the Other Party Liable in a Legal Claim
To hold the other party legally responsible for the catastrophic injuries they caused, you must prove that they were negligent. Negligence occurs when a person breaches their “duty of care” to you. A duty of care is a legal responsibility to exercise reasonable caution around others.
For example, all motorists have a duty of care to follow traffic laws and drive as safely as possible. Speeding or otherwise violating a traffic law would be considered a breach of duty.
Not only do you have to prove that the other party violated their duty of care, but you must also show that the breach directly caused the accident and your catastrophic injuries. An experienced lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to prove negligence in your catastrophic injury case.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
Once you and your attorney prove negligence, you may pursue compensation for all your economic and non-economic losses through a personal injury claim. However, if you do not act quickly enough, you may miss your chance to recover damages.
Florida Statutes Annotated § 95.11(3) requires personal injury cases founded in negligence to be filed within four years of the date the injury occurred. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. Failure to file your claim in time will likely result in the dismissal of the case. This means you will not be able to recover compensation. A diligent attorney can help you keep track of this deadline in your severe injury claim.
Why Is it Important to Hire a Lawyer?
Many injured parties recovering from catastrophic accidents believe they can handle their legal case or settlement negotiations alone. While you are certainly permitted to forgo legal counsel, it is not something we advise in a case with catastrophic injuries, especially. After an accident, you need to focus on your physical recovery. Dealing with complicated legal processes, and proving what you need to prove to get the compensation you truly deserve can get in the way of your path to recovery.
Additionally, many people do not understand the complexities of personal injury law. Attorney Mike Hancock has years of experience in the legal field. He has also spent time working in insurance defense, so he can help you stand your ground against large insurance companies. If you are recovering from a life-threatening injury, do not hesitate to seek help from a local attorney.
Consult a Spring Hill Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today
A catastrophic injury should not derail the rest of your life. If another person caused your accident, you may be able to recover significant financial compensation from them to address your losses.
At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we are here to help you understand the legal process and fight for your rights. Contact a Spring Hill catastrophic injury lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.