Injuries happen every day, but if you suffer life-changing harm at the hands of another, you need the help of a Waterford catastrophic injury attorney. Polito & Harrington, LLC is ready to help you pursue justice and compensation for your injury.
Why Polito & Harrington?
Polito & Harrington has over 45 years of experience protecting the rights of injured clients and helping them pursue the compensation they deserve after injuries in Waterford. Our passion and dedication to our clients have earned us recognition and respect from the legal community.
We understand the difficulties of suffering a catastrophic injury and want to help make it right. When you’re ready to hold parties responsible for their wrongdoings and seek financial compensation for your losses, count on our Waterford catastrophic injury attorneys to help you.
Catastrophic Injury Explained
A catastrophic injury stands apart from other injuries.
Catastrophic injuries are those that happen suddenly and leave victims to face life-altering consequences. While recovering from a catastrophic injury is not impossible, it is unlikely you will be the same person you were before suffering the injury.
There are several types of catastrophic injuries impacting different parts of the body.
Some of the most common types of catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Injuries resulting in amputation
- Burn injuries
- Birth injuries
- Injuries resulting in significant nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Crush injuries
- Facial injuries
While every injury is different, the outcome is frequently the same: the injury affects your life, well-being, and relationships.
Catastrophic Injuries Can Happen at Any Time in Connecticut
Catastrophic injuries most often arise abruptly after a significant accident or incident.
These substantial injuries can happen during various events, including:
- Car and truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Dog bite injuries
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
Connecticut is home to millions and also hosts millions of visitors every year. With so much movement throughout the state, catastrophic injuries are bound to happen. Whether you’ve been in a severe accident on the I-95 or a bicycle accident around the beaches of Waterford, we’re ready to help you.
Seeking Compensation for a Waterford Catastrophic Injury
While compensation cannot fix everything, it can positively impact your financial situation. Catastrophic injuries result in extensive medical bills and other financial losses, and recovering monetarily can help relieve some of the financial pressure.
The damages available for your catastrophic injury case depend on your unique situation and the details of your injury and losses. You might recover economic, non-economic, or punitive damages.
Economic damages are for tangible losses stemming directly from your accident. These damages are easier to prove, as evidence establishing these losses is readily available.
Economic damages include:
- Medical Expenses: For medical treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, and in-home care services
- Lost Wages: For the time you have to take off work to recover
- Lost Earning Potential: If you’re disabled and no longer able to work
Non-economic damages are also a direct result of your accident but represent intangible losses. These damages are more challenging to prove, as acquiring evidence to establish these losses requires complex investigations and calculations.
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering: For the pain and mental trauma your injury has caused
- Emotional distress: For the emotional suffering you’ve endured from your injury
- Loss of enjoyment of life: For all the ways your injury has negatively impacted your life
You may also recover punitive damages. While punitive damages are rare, if the defendant's actions are intentional or wanton, or if they show reckless indifference to the right of others, the court may assess them. These damages punish defendants for their wrongdoings and deter others from acting in such a manner.
Determining the value of your case is one of the most challenging parts of a catastrophic injury lawsuit. Fortunately, a skilled catastrophic injury lawyer can review your case details and calculate your damages to pursue the fairest possible compensation.
Catastrophic Injuries—Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding catastrophic injuries and lawsuits. Should you have additional questions, a catastrophic injury lawyer can address them during your consultation.
How Do Catastrophic Injury Lawsuits Differ From Other Injury Claims?
Catastrophic injury lawsuits can be complex. These serious injuries often require more compensation, resulting in bigger legal battles and higher settlements and judgments.
Because catastrophic injury claims are so different, they require the skill of an experienced catastrophic injury attorney.
Are There Long-Term Effects for Catastrophic Injuries?
Unfortunately, yes—most catastrophic injury victims experience long-term issues.
The life-changing effects of a catastrophic injury depend on the injury itself but could include:
- Loss of a limb
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Impacts on mental and emotional well-being
- Long-term pain
- Inability to work or engage in daily routine
Catastrophic injuries can also negatively affect your finances, making it critical to pursue fair compensation.
Who Is Liable for My Injuries?
Ultimately, the party who caused your injury is financially responsible. The insurance policy will pay you directly if insurance covers the individual or entity.
How Much Is My Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?
Every catastrophic injury case is different, therefore resulting in variable settlements.
To determine the value of your case, your catastrophic injury attorney can calculate your damages based on:
- The type and extent of your catastrophic injuries
- Whether you’ll fully recover
- How long it will take you to reach maximum recovery
- Whether you lost time at work and how much you lost in wages
- Whether you’ll ever be able to return to work
- Whether you have a permanent disability
- The total of your medical expenses
- Whether you’ll need continued medical care in the future
- Any mental or emotional trauma you suffered as a result of your injuries
Using these and other details, your catastrophic injury lawyer can decide how much your case is worth and seek fair compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit?
In Connecticut, you have two years after your injury to file your lawsuit. If you fail to file your lawsuit within the allotted time, you will likely miss your opportunity to recover financially for your losses.
Seek Legal Assistance From Our Experienced Waterford Catastrophic Injury Lawyers
When you suffer a catastrophic injury, you’re not alone. The Waterford personal injury lawyers at Polito & Harrington are ready to assist you with your legal case, helping you fight for justice and favorable financial recovery.
When you’re ready to consult one of our Waterford catastrophic injury attorneys, contact us at any time at (860) 447-3300.
Polito & Harrington LLC - Waterford Office
567 Vauxhall Street Ext.
Suite 230, Waterford, CT 06385
Phone: (860) 447-3300
Fax: (860) 447-3389
Mail: hpolito@politolaw.com
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