What Types of Compensation Are Available in a Personal Injury Claim Involving Catastrophic Injuries?

 Posted on November 09, 2020 in Personal Injury

When a person is injured because of the reckless, negligent, or malicious actions of another party, the injured person has a right to bring a legal action against the at-fault party. Through a personal injury claim, the injured person may be awarded financial compensation or “damages” for their losses. Catastrophic injuries are injuries that dramatically impact a person’s life or result in permanent disability. Cases involving catastrophic injuries often result in much higher settlements and awards than cases involving injuries that are less severe.  

Catastrophic Injuries Significantly Affect a Victim’s Life

Traumatic brain injuries, spine injuries, severe burns, vital organ injuries, amputation injuries, and other catastrophic injuries have a profound impact on the victim’s life. If you or a loved one suffered a life-changing injury in a car accident, slip and fall accident, work accident, or other incident, you may be curious about your legal options. The injuries may have created an overwhelming financial burden on you and your family. Fortunately, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages sustained in the accident.

Financial Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Catastrophic Injury

There are many factors that will influence the amount of compensation you or a loved one receive after a severe injury including the type of injuries sustained, how long it will take to recover from the injuries, and how the injuries affect the victim’s life. Damages in a catastrophic injury claim may include:

• Medical bills: Your injury likely required extensive medical care including emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, and more. You may be compensated for all of the medical bills you incurred because of your injuries.
• Future medical care: A catastrophic injury is not something that can be recovered from quickly. You may need rehabilitative care for months or years after the accident. You may even need ongoing physical and mental health care for the rest of your life. The estimated costs of future medical care may be included in your personal injury settlement or award.
• Lost wages: You may be entitled to compensation for your lost income and lost work benefits.
• Reduced earning capacity: If your injury has negatively impacted your ability to earn a living, you may be entitled to compensation for your reduced earning capacity.
• Home modifications: Your injuries may have necessitated certain home modifications. You may be compensated for costs associated with wheelchair ramps and other modifications needed to make your home handicapped-accessible.
• Other expenses related to your injuries: Your injuries may make it impossible for you to complete everyday tasks, maintain your home, or care for your children. The costs of home health aides, childcare, and other expenses necessitated by your injuries may be factored into your settlement or award.
• Non-economic damages: Compensation for your physical pain, mental suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic losses may also be recoverable.  

Contact a Joliet Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Identifying and calculating your damages in a personal injury claim is a crucial step in getting the compensation you and your family need. For help throughout your personal injury claim, contact an experienced Illinois personal injury attorney from Schwartz Injury Law. Call our office today at 815-723-7300 and schedule your free consultation.

Source:

https://courts.illinois.gov/CircuitCourt/CivilJuryInstructions/IL_IPI_Civil.pdf