A catastrophic injury is life-changing and will likely affect nearly every part of your life. The medical costs can be massive, and you may not be able to return to the job or position you had before the accident. You may not even be able to participate in the activities you enjoy most.
If you suffered a debilitating injury because of another person’s careless actions, a dedicated personal injury attorney could help you seek compensation for the damages you sustained. A St. Louis catastrophic injury lawyer could investigate the circumstances of your incident, collect the evidence necessary to prove a defendant party’s negligence, and hold them liable for all of your losses—both past and future.
Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries
A catastrophic injury is an acute, life-altering injury that leads to long-term or permanent disabilities. The devastating injuries can have negative consequences on every part of a person’s life. They often lose the ability to do things they could before the accident without giving it a second thought. While catastrophic injuries most commonly occur in motor vehicle accidents, they could happen in any accident. The most common types of catastrophic injuries include:
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic amputations
- Severe burn injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Permanent organ damage
- The sudden loss of eyesight or hearing
A claim for damages could mean recovering compensation to cover medical care, time missed from work, and pain and suffering. A qualified St. Louis catastrophic injury attorney could help build a case to prove the at-fault party’s liability and collect damages to cover all of an injured person’s expenses. Because of the high costs of catastrophic injuries, the award amount is often significant.
The Statute of Limitations in Catastrophic Injury Claims
After suffering an injury because of another party’s negligence, there is a time frame to be mindful of in order to take legal action. Under Missouri Title 35, Ch. 516, Section. 516.120, the claimant must commence the action within five years of the cause of action leading to a catastrophic injury.
The five-year time frame includes most personal injury claims except for medical malpractice. Per Missouri Title 35, Ch. 516, Section 516.105, the claimant must file a lawsuit to establish healthcare provider negligence within two years of the injuries. There are some exceptions to the time expiration, including what some refer to as the discovery rule. If the claimant is not immediately aware of their injuries, the clock will begin running when they reasonably discover they sustained damages due to another person’s careless actions.
In most cases, missing the deadline will lead to losing the potential to file the lawsuit. A diligent catastrophic injury lawyer in St. Louis could handle the entire process and ensure the suit is filed within the state’s legal requirements.
Pursue Recovery with the Help of a St. Louis Catastrophic Injury Attorney
Catastrophic injuries have disastrous effects on the life of the person who suffers them and their loved ones. These injuries are painful and often require extensive medical care and treatment. To make matters worse, they often prevent people from working or enjoying life as you did before the incident.
If someone else’s negligence caused you to get in an avoidable accident, you could have the right to hold them financially accountable. If you need help to recover compensation for damages, contact a committed St. Louis catastrophic injury lawyer at our firm to schedule a meeting.
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