Palm Beach Gardens Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Not all accidents are alike. While many people walk away from a car crash, slip and fall, or workplace accident with just minor injuries, others suffer catastrophic injuries that can leave them requiring a lifetime of medical care and personal assistance. If that describes your situation, or that of someone you care about, the compassionate Palm Beach Gardens catastrophic injury lawyers at Steinberg Law are here to help you fight for the financial compensation you need and deserve.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury Under Florida Law?
A “catastrophic injury” is not simply a term of law. It has a specific meaning under Florida law. Section 960.03 of the Florida Statutes defines a catastrophic injury as a permanent impairment” involving any of the following:
- spinal cord damage resulting in severe paralysis of an arm, leg, or the trunk;
- amputation of a hand, foot, arm, or leg;
- a severe traumatic brain (or closed-head) injury as demonstrated by severe disturbances to sensory, motor, communication, or cerebral function, or severe episodic neurological disorders;
- second- or third-degree burn injuries affecting at least 25 percent of the total surface area of the body;
- third-degree burns affecting at least 5 percent of the face and hands;
- total or industrial blindness; or
- any other injury that would qualify a person for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
Catastrophic injuries arise in many different types of personal injury claims. There are motor vehicle accidents, notably those involving larger vehicles such as semi-trucks and buses. There are workplace accidents, especially in the construction industry and other trades where workers are regularly exposed to hazards. And there is medical malpractice, where negligence by a doctor, nurse, or other health care provider results in a catastrophic injury.
You might wonder why it matters if your injury meets the legal definition of “catastrophic.” One key reason is that when it comes to accidents involving motor vehicles. Florida’s no-fault insurance rules generally limit a victim’s recovery to their own Personal Injury Protection coverage unless they can prove they sustained a “serious” injury.
In just about all cases, a catastrophic injury will meet the serious injury threshold. This means that a catastrophic injury victim can seek the full amount of their damages directly from the negligent party whose actions harmed them. And those damages are often substantial. Catastrophic injury victims often require medical care and assistance for the rest of their lives. This can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills alone.
Additionally, a catastrophic injury often leaves the victim unable to return to their pre-injury job, which entitles them to compensation for their lost income and diminished earning potential through a personal injury lawsuit. There is also compensation for the victim’s lifetime of pain and suffering, which are not covered under no-fault insurance but are damages available in a civil lawsuit.
Contact Steinberg Law Today
Nobody wants to suffer a catastrophic injury. But if the worst case scenario does happen, it is important to know that an experienced Palm Beach Gardens catastrophic injury lawyer will be there to help you and your family seek justice. Contact Steinberg Law today to schedule a consultation.
