CHICAGO CATASTROPHIC INJURY LAWYER

You may be asking yourself: what’s the difference between a catastrophic injury case and a personal injury case? The main difference is that catastrophic injuries are generally much more complicated due to the severity of the victim’s serious injuries, the extent of the victim’s damages, and the value of the claim.

Severity of Catastrophic Injury

Catastrophic injuries are incredibly severe, life-threatening injuries that not only require extensive medical treatment, but long-term rehabilitation and possibly a lifetime of severe pain, as well. Because severe injuries require so much present and future medical care, it’s more difficult to calculate appropriate compensation for the victim.

Catastrophic Injury Victim’s Damages

A catastrophic injury will generally cause complete disability, preventing the victim from ever going back to work. Meanwhile, many accident victims involved in personal injury claims have a higher chance of recovering and going back to their normal lives. Not only do catastrophic injury victims suffer intense physical pain, they’re more likely to suffer overwhelming mental anguish and emotional pain, as well. Therefore, calculating the extent of the victim’s economic and non-economic damages is often more complicated.

Catastrophic Injury Claim Value

Catastrophic injury claims are generally much higher in value compared to personal injury claims because of the physical and mental suffering, the amount of lost income, the loss of enjoyment of life, and more.

Insurance companies are more motivated to dispute and refuse catastrophic injury claims as a result of the high claim value. Their purpose is to cut expenses as much as possible, which can greatly burden the accident victims and families. However, an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer can ensure that a victim receives the proper compensation.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Illinois

Some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries in Illinois include:

Car Accident

Car accidents are the most common cause of catastrophic or severe injuries in Illinois. An auto accident can be especially devastating at high speeds. Despite increasing litigation, a high number of car accidents are still caused by drinking and driving.

A serious car accident can be responsible for:

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Spinal cord damage

• Internal bleeding

• Burns

• Permanent scarring or disfigurement

A Chicago car accident lawyer from Curcio & Casciato can help answer any questions surrounding injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash during your free consultation.

Pedestrian Accidents

Although most drivers pay careful attention to pedestrians and honor their space, unfortunately, there are still a considerable number of pedestrians who are struck by cars on a regular basis. As a result of many drivers’ inattentiveness and carelessness, pedestrians must deal with the expensive cost of his or her catastrophic injury.

For a free consultation with our Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers, call 312-321-1111.

Bicycle Accidents

Even though most areas have installed bike lanes, bikers are still killed in traffic accidents. Much like pedestrians, cyclists are relatively unprotected. Many bicyclists are thrown from their bikes during a serious accident, which increases the chance of them sustaining serious neurological injuries.

If you think you may have an injury or wrongful death claim, contact our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers for a free consultation.

Truck Accidents

Semi-truck accidents tend to result in a higher number of catastrophic injury cases than any other type of motor vehicle accidents. We contribute the severity to the truck’s weight and size. Truck accidents often occur on highways or interstates and are frequently caused by truck driver fatigue or inexperience.

For a free consultation, contact our Chicago semi-truck accident lawyers.

Boating Accidents

Unfortunately, a fun day on the lake can turn potentially deadly. In a turn of life-altering events, boaters can be left with a catastrophic injury. Common causes of boat accidents include operating a boat while intoxicated, busy waterways, speeding, poor weather conditions, and much more. Boaters can suffer any kind of injury ranging from minor cuts and scrapes to head trauma, spinal cord injuries, or amputations.

Our Chicago boat accident attorneys can help via a free consultation.

Train Accidents

Even though train accidents are less common than other motor vehicle accidents, they do happen every day. Railroad workers and non-railroad workers often suffer catastrophic injuries and death due to the size and speed of trains. 

If you or a loved one has suffered major injuries, disabilities, or death from a Chicago train accident, you have grounds to contact a Chicago train accident attorney or a Chicago railroad accident attorney at Curcio & Casciato.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents can cause a catastrophic injury, especially if someone falls on their head or neck. Our Chicago premises liability lawyers provide a free consultation for slip and fall victims.

A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere. However, catastrophic injury will occur more often in these situations:

• Construction sites: Workers at construction sites are at a great risk for a slip and fall accident due to tools, wires, nails, and more. Additionally, workers can slip and fall off roofs. If they fall hard enough on their head, neck, or back, they could suffer a catastrophic injury. Contact a Chicago construction injury lawyer for more information.

• Dangerous properties: Any kind of accident on someone else’s dangerous property generally falls under the premises liability theory in Illinois personal injury law. In other words, if someone is severely injured on a property that doesn’t belong to them, the landowner is undoubtedly responsible. Slipping and falling on a dangerous property can happen due to a broken staircase, a torn carpet, exposed wires, and more.

• Black ice: During the winter months, everyone is at risk for slipping and falling on black ice. With black ice, it’s easy to hit your head and neck and suffer anything from broken bones to a brain injury.

Fires and Explosions

Catastrophic injuries from fires and explosions are common at plants, refineries, restaurants, construction sites, and more. Fires and explosions can cause full-body burns, perforation injuries, abdominal hemorrhages, traumatic brain injuries, and so much more.

Violent Crime

Generally, different types of violent crimes will result in different types of catastrophic injuries. A shooting can easily result in a traumatic brain injury, while assault and battery can result in major soft tissue injuries or broken bones. No matter the injury, every victim of a violent crime deserves justice.

Our experienced catastrophic injury attorneys can help.

Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers believe victims of catastrophic injuries deserve enough compensation to cover both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Victims who have experienced monetary losses as a result of their accident can receive economic damages. Many times, catastrophic injury victims will need to undergo multiple surgeries, and ongoing medical care is necessary. Common examples of monetary losses you can demand from the negligent party as a result of a catastrophic injury include:

• All medical bills, medical expenses, and any costs associated with medical treatment

• Future medical bills, rehabilitation, and physical therapy, including any extensive medical treatment necessary

• Lost wages

• Loss of earning potential

Non-Economic Damages

Meanwhile, non-economic damages are typically granted to victims who have experienced losses that can’t be measured with money. Those who have sustained serious injuries that will last a lifetime, such as permanent disabilities, will need to consult with seasoned Chicago personal injury lawyers, as the value associated with future costs for this type of claim can be tricky.

The most common types of non-economic damages for injured victims include:

• General pain and suffering

• Mental anguish and emotional pain

• Loss of life enjoyment

• Loss of consortium

Why Do I Need a Chicago Catastrophic Injury Attorney?

Insurance companies may refuse catastrophic injury claims as a result of the high claim value. Without an experienced lawyer on your side, you or your loved one may not be able to recover the compensation they deserve. This is why it’s crucial to have Chicago catastrophic injury attorneys on your side.

Experienced Chicago catastrophic injury attorneys at Curcio & Casciato have collected millions of dollars in jury verdicts for people who have suffered catastrophic injuries. From car accidents to nursing home victims, we are committed to finding the best possible result.

Our Chicago catastrophic injury lawyers have the talent, knowledge, and resources to seek compensation for our clients out of court, or prepare a case for trial and successfully present it to a jury or negotiate a just settlement.

Experienced Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Chicago

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury as a result of someone else’s careless, reckless, or intentional actions, you may be able to recover compensation. A Chicago catastrophic injury lawyer at Curcio & Casciato wants to fight for you. Call our Chicago catastrophic injury attorneys today at 312-321-1111 to schedule a free case consultation.