FAQs

A catastrophic injury is one that causes permanent or long-term disability, or prevents a person from returning to work or normal daily life. Common examples include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and paralysis, amputations, severe burns, and loss of sight or hearing.

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit brought when a person dies because of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. It allows the family or estate to seek compensation for the losses caused by the death.

This depends on state law. Typically the claim is filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate on behalf of close family members, such as a spouse, children, or parents.

Generally, you may have a case if someone else’s carelessness or wrongful conduct caused the injury or death. The best way to find out is a free evaluation, where an attorney reviews the facts and explains your options.

Every state sets a deadline, called a statute of limitations, and it can be as short as one or two years. Some claims, such as those against government entities, have even shorter notice requirements. Missing a deadline can end your right to recover, so it’s important to act promptly.

Depending on the case, compensation may cover past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, long-term care, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. In wrongful death cases, families may also recover funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship and guidance.

There is no set formula. Value depends on the severity of the injuries, the impact on your life and finances, the strength of the evidence, and the available insurance coverage. An attorney can give you a better sense of value after reviewing the details.

In some cases, yes. Punitive damages are meant to punish especially reckless or intentional conduct, such as drunk driving. They are not available in every case, and many states limit them.

In many states, you can still recover compensation even if you share some of the blame, though your award may be reduced by your percentage of fault. The rules vary by state, so don’t assume you have no case.

Some cases resolve in several months, while complex cases that go to trial can take a few years. Timing depends on the severity of the injuries, the number of parties involved, and how willing the other side is to negotiate fairly.

Some cases settle before trial. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial.

It’s best to speak with an attorney before speaking with an insurance company, giving a recorded statement or signing anything. Insurance adjusters work to minimize payouts, and early statements or quick settlement offers can hurt your claim.

Keep everything related to the incident, including photos, medical records and bills, police or accident reports, witness contact information, pay stubs, and any letters from insurance companies.

You may be asked to give a deposition, which is sworn testimony taken outside of court. If the case goes to trial, you may also testify in court.

There may be other sources of recovery, such as your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, an employer’s policy, or other responsible parties. We look into every possible source of compensation.

We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you, and our fee comes as a percentage of that recovery.

Pursuing a catastrophic injury or wrongful death claim often involves expenses such as filing fees, medical records, expert witnesses, depositions, and investigation. We advance these costs on your behalf, so you pay nothing out of pocket while your case is pending. If we recover compensation for you, the case costs are reimbursed from the settlement or verdict. If we don’t recover any money for you, you owe nothing, including no attorney’s fees and no case costs. We’ll explain exactly how fees and costs are handled in your written fee agreement before we begin, and you’ll receive an itemized statement at the end of your case.

An attorney will listen to what happened, review any documents you have, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. The evaluation is confidential, and there is no obligation to hire us.

Gather whatever you have, such as accident or police reports, medical records and bills, photos, insurance information, and any correspondence about the incident. If you don’t have these documents yet, that’s okay. We can help obtain them.

These cases often involve large insurance companies, complex medical evidence, and significant long-term losses. An experienced attorney can investigate thoroughly, work with medical and financial experts, handle the insurance companies, and fight for the full compensation you and your family deserve.