No matter how it happens, suffering an injury that leads to you suffering a loss of bodily function for any length of time is almost always a life-changing experience. If this kind of injury is expected to last for the rest of your life, there is likely no amount of money big enough to make up for the immense physical, financial, and personal losses your injury will cause you to go through in the years and decades to come.
That said, seeking help from a skilled Tampa personal injury attorney and pursuing civil compensation after a “catastrophic injury” like this can still be key to maximizing your quality of life and mitigating the negative impacts of your accident as much as possible. From start to finish of the legal process, a Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer from Distasio Law Firm could work tenaciously on your behalf to secure the compensation you need and deserve.
Defining an Injury as “Catastrophic”
Florida state law does not establish a formal definition of what constitutes a “catastrophic” injury compared to any other kind of personal injury, but legal professionals and court authorities generally use this term to refer to injuries that meet two major criteria. First, the injury must cause a significant loss of bodily, sensory, or motor function and/or result in substantial physical disfigurement. Second, the injury must be expected to last for the remainder of the injured person’s life and/or directly contribute to their premature death.
In many situations, labeling an injury as “catastrophic” in nature has no direct effect on ensuing legal proceedings, other than perhaps to notify members of a civil jury that you have suffered permanent and debilitating harm. However, it can be extremely important to establish a catastrophic injury as such if it stemmed from an auto accident of any kind.
This is because Florida’s no-fault car insurance system generally prohibits third-party litigation against someone whose negligence directly caused a car wreck to occur unless the incident in question results in a “serious injury,” which is effectively synonymous with a “catastrophic injury.” A Tampa catastrophic accident attorney like Scott Distasio could go into more detail about specific terminology and other relevant legal concepts during a private consultation.
Getting Paid Fairly Within Filing Deadlines
What really sets catastrophic injury claims apart from other personal injury cases is the severity of losses that a permanent and debilitating injury will invariably cause. A comprehensive claim can and should account for various economic and non-economic effects this type of injury has already had on you and will have in the future, including:
- All medical expenses, including rehabilitative care and assistive equipment costs
- Past and future income loss and/or lost working ability
- Personal property damage and/or home modification costs
- Physical discomfort and pain
- Psychological trauma and distress
- Lost consortium
- Lost enjoyment of life
Assistance from an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer in Tampa can be key not just to identifying and accurately valuating recoverable damages, but also to filing a strong claim within applicable filing deadlines.
Talk to a Tampa Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today
Catastrophic accidents happen every day across Florida, changing the lives of every person directly and indirectly impacted by them. If you suffered permanent harm in this kind of incident, holding the party responsible for your ensuing losses could make a massive difference in what your life looks like moving forward.
A dedicated Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer from Distasio Law Firm could be a steadfast and irreplaceable ally as you fight for the restitution you deserve. Call today to get started.
