Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Scottsdale

Advocating For Your Rights in Catastrophic Injury Cases

Catastrophic Injuries are life-altering events that change your life and the lives of everyone you love. It’s an adjustment for you, the injured person, and the entire family as everyone learns to care for you and what that means. It can be one of the cariest and most complex and challenging times in a family’s life. Circumstances may have changed in an instant. The person who was once the primary support of the entire family may not be able to work. It can be stressful and terrifying. You need the calm and steady guidance of a knowledgeable team of legal minds to guide you through the process.

At Wilson Ortiz Law Firm, our catastrophic injury attorneys understand the stress and trauma your family is facing during this difficult transition. We will stand by your side every step, advocating firmly for you with doctors’ offices, insurance companies, claims adjustors and investigators, law enforcement, and others to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering. Call us for a free case evaluation at 623-294-1442.

What Are Some Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries

A catastrophic injury is any severe injury. Any number of injuries could be considered catastrophic, but some are seen more often than most. Those are:

Spinal cord injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Amputation of limb(s)
Loss of vision or hearing
Injuries causing severe scarring
Severe burns
Paralysis

Any injury is considered catastrophic if it permanently and significantly disrupts your life. It requires significant and extended medical care, disrupting the victim’s ability to make a gainful living outside the home environment.

What Kind of Accidents Cause Catastrophic Injuries?

A catastrophic injury can occur at any time, but they are most frequently the result of negligent actions by another party. They occur due to:

Car accidents
Trucking accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Slip and Fall accidents
Workplace accidents
Sports accidents
Product defects
Medical malpractice, including birth injuries

How Does a Catastrophic Injury Affect My Rights?

As the Injured party, you have the right to compensation for your pain and suffering. Catastrophic injuries are rare, but they do happen, and if you can prove negligence, you are entitled to claim compensation.

To prove negligence, you must be able to show:

Duty- A legal duty must be owed by the defendant to the plaintiff. For example, in the case of a car accident, the duty is to drive safely on the road.
Breach- The plaintiff must prove that the defendant breached their duty. Using the above example, they could prove that the other driver was distracted somehow.
Causation– The defendant’s negligence must cause the plaintiff harm or injuries. This is particularly important in catastrophic injury cases.
Damages- The plaintiff must incur actual damages due to the incident.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Catastrophic Injury Cases?

The statute of limitations for catastrophic injury cases in Arizona is no different than other personal injury cases. It is spelled out in Arizona’s revised statutes section 12-542, which states that there is a two-year deadline for filing a personal injury case over “injuries done to the person of another” for “trespass for injury done to the estate or property of another” and for “injuries done to the person of another when death ensues from such injuries.”

What Compensation Might Be Available for my Catastrophic Injury?

Every case is unique, and it is impossible to guess what compensation may be awarded beforehand. As a very general rule of thumb, some types of compensation are:

Medical bills– The medical costs for catastrophic injuries can be staggering. These bills pile up above and beyond what is covered by most insurance plans. You are entitled to compensation for bills, including the ongoing treatment you will require to deal with your disabilities. This includes money you would have earned if you remained employed.
Pain and suffering, including ongoing discomfort
Emotional turmoil/PTSD/Depression

Catastrophic injuries significantly alter your quality of life; your compensation should reflect that. Most insurance companies offer settlements that initially undervalue these losses because they are banking on victims being too distressed and overwhelmed to be informed. Sadly, this frequently works. At Wilson Ortiz Law Firm, our catastrophic injury attorneys are on your side. We fight for you.

What Should I Do If I Suffer A Catastrophic Injury?

These accidents are beyond traumatizing whether it was a car accident, work-related, due to faulty equipment or product, or some other issue. After such an accident, the most important thing to do is try to stay as calm as possible, as panicking may only exacerbate any pain or injury. Do not move if you have injured your head, neck, or spine before you have been instructed to do so by emergency medical personnel, as you could risk making the injury worse.

Contact 911 immediately and obtain medical care as quickly as possible. Catastrophic injuries can quickly turn life-threatening. A medical professional must thoroughly evaluate you as soon as possible and have all your injuries documented.

When Should I Contact a Catastrophic Injury Attorney?

No one wants to believe these types of injuries can happen to them, but the brutal truth is that we are all just one slip and fall away from disability. It only takes a few minutes for a tragedy to occur. You shouldn’t live your life in fear, but if you or a loved one have been the victim of a catastrophic injury, Wilson Ortiz Law Firm understands the trauma you have endured, and we will be a staunch advocate for you. Call 623-294-1442 for a free consultation. Take back your life.