Catastrophic injuries can occur when you least expect them, turning your life upside down as you learn to cope with the life-long physical and emotional effects of a serious accident. If your injuries were caused by another person’s negligence, a personal injury attorney might be able to help you obtain financial compensation. Contact a Tarpon Springs catastrophic injury lawyer to learn more about holding the person responsible for your injury accountable.
Recoverable Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit
While every case is different, there are several types of damages that a plaintiff may recover for in any successful personal injury lawsuit. Due to the long-term nature of many catastrophic injuries, these damages can sometimes justify a particularly high settlement value. Some of the most common damages recovered in a catastrophic injury lawsuit include:
- Past medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income potential
- Home modifications
Regardless of the cause of a catastrophic injury, a Tarpon Springs attorney with experience handling these kinds of claims could help a plaintiff pursue compensation for all their injuries and losses. In some cases, a qualified lawyer may be able to resolve a claim through a private settlement with the responsible party or their insurance company. When settlement is not an option, though, it may be necessary to take the case to trial in order to obtain compensation.
Obstacles to Recovery
One of the most common obstacles to recovering civil compensation is the statute of limitations. More specifically, Florida Statutes §95.11(3)(a) requires a civil lawsuit to be filed within four years of the date the injury occurs.
If a lawsuit is filed after the statutory period expires, a defendant could ask the court to dismiss the case. Exceptions may be made to this rule under certain circumstances, but it is uncommon.
Comparative Fault
More than one person to be at fault for an accident. If one of the parties at fault is the injury victim, the value of their recoverable damage award could be reduced.
This is because Florida is a comparative fault state, meaning that responsibility for an injury could be assigned to several parties involved. The potential recovery for an injured person would be reduced proportionately by the percentage of fault they bear for their accident.
Pre-Existing Injuries
Even if another person is clearly to blame for an accident, it is common for a defendant to claim the injuries listed in a lawsuit occurred before the accident in question. However, if an accident makes a pre-existing injury worse, compensation may still be available to the plaintiff. A catastrophic accident lawyer in Tarpon Springs could offer further clarification about recovering damages for aggravating for a pre-existing condition.
Choosing a Tarpon Springs Catastrophic Injury Attorney
If you suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of another person, an experienced Tarpon Springs catastrophic injury lawyer could help you catalogue all your losses and fight for the compensation you deserve. Once retained, your skilled attorney could act as an advocate during your time of need, pursuing justice for your pain and suffering. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.
