Augusta Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Catastrophic injuries are life-altering and can have a devastating impact not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and financially as well. If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury because of another person’s negligence, an experienced personal injury attorney could help. A client-centered Augusta catastrophic injury lawyer could meet with you to discuss your case and help you seek comprehensive recovery for all your damages.
Proving Negligence in the Event of a Catastrophic Injury
While catastrophic injuries invariably have a severe and lasting impact on an individual and are inherently complex matters, the law surrounding these injuries is based on the relatively simple theory of negligence. To prove negligence, a victim and his or her Augusta catastrophic injury attorney need to demonstrate that:
- The wrongdoer owed a duty of care to the victim,
- That duty of care was breached,
- That breach led to an accident, and
- That accident led to damages suffered by the victim.
After demonstrating that a wrongdoer acted maliciously or unintentionally negligent, a potential claim holder may choose to accept a settlement offer or to move his or her case to court.
Damages and Compensation in Catastrophic Injury Claims
In a catastrophic injury case, as with all personal injury cases, an injured person makes a case for the losses that he or she endured. These may include both economic and non-economic damages.
Potential Economic Losses in Catastrophic Injury Cases
Economic losses are quantifiable, meaning that it is easy to ascribe a dollar-amount to them. These economic damages are easily demonstrable to a jury because of their tangible nature and may include, among other similar losses:
- Loss of pay,
- Medical expenses,
- Cost of care, and/or
- Loss of property.
Non-Economic Damages in Catastrophic Injury Cases
Non-economic expenses are less easily quantifiable but can still have a significant impact on a victim’s way of life. For example, if a person is unable to return to work and thereafter suffers a severe bout of depression, the victim may be entitled to compensation.
Other possible non-economic damages include:
- Loss of enjoyment of life,
- Loss of consortium,
- Disfigurement, or
- Pain and suffering.
Anyone looking to secure non-economic damages should be aware that the Georgia Supreme Court removed caps on non-economic damages in 2010. As such, there is no limit on the amount of compensation a catastrophic injury lawyer in Augusta could seek to recover on a victim’s behalf.
Punitive Damages in Catastrophic Injury Cases
In rare cases, a civil court may decide that a catastrophic injury victim’s case warrants punitive damages. These damages are meant to dissuade the wrongdoer from ever committing a similarly egregious act ever again. While some states—including Georgia—cap punitive damages, there are exceptions to the $250,000 cap that Georgia state law establishes.
Contact an Augusta Catastrophic Accident Attorney Today
An experienced Augusta catastrophic injury lawyer could work to understand the totality of the impact a catastrophic injury has on you and approach your case with the utmost attention to detail to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. If you were injured because of another person’s negligence, speak with an attorney who is able to review your injuries as needed. Call at any time to get started.
