Prince George’s County Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Sustaining catastrophic injuries can create permanent, life-altering consequences for an injured person. A person who suffers such serious injuries may not be able to hit developmental or academic benchmarks, hindering them from developing social relationships, becoming self-sufficient, or meeting professional goals.
If you or a relative recently suffered catastrophic injuries, a Prince George’s County catastrophic injury lawyer could help hold those who caused the injuries legally responsible. A compassionate personal injury attorney could help you understand the short-term and long-term effects the injuries may have on you and your family. Roger Gelb at Gelb & Gelb, P.C. could also help you assert your legal rights to obtain the compensation to cover the costs associated with the injury.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are those injuries and illnesses that cause permanent and life-altering damage. Catastrophic injuries typically physically or mentally harm individuals in a manner that prevents them from permanently holding a job or caring for themselves. Common types of catastrophic injuries include:
- Severe and irreversible brain damage or brain death
- Limb amputation
- Significant scarring or disfiguration
- Severe burns covering significant parts of the body
- Paralysis and permanent nerve damage
- Blindness or total loss of hearing
If a person suffers one or more catastrophic injuries due to another’s actions, they may have an actionable personal injury claim against the at-party party. A Prince George’s County attorney could help those suffering from catastrophic injuries determine whether they have a viable claim against one or more parties and file a claim on their behalf.
Recovering Damages For a Severe Injury
When people sustain catastrophic injuries due to the negligent actions of another in car accidents, during medical procedures, or due to the dangerous conditions on another’s property, they may recover compensation for their injuries. Similarly, if people suffer catastrophic injuries due to a defective product, Maryland law allows them to initiate a products liability lawsuit to collect damages from the product manufacturer or distributor.
Whether catastrophic injury claimants file negligence or products liability claims against the parties responsible for their injuries, the monetary amount of damages they could recover will likely be substantial due to the nature of their injuries. In Prince George’s County, recoverable damages include:
- Costs of past and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and occupational therapy costs
- Long-term care costs
- Costs associated with making living spaces handicap accessible
- Lost income and loss of future earning potential
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Costs of psychological therapy for trauma caused by sustaining the injury
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the injury, claimants could recover one or more types of damages provided that they file an appropriate claim for damages. A skilled catastrophic injury attorney in Prince George’s County would work tirelessly to ensure that claimants secure the damages they are entitled to by filing a claim on their behalf and presenting evidence establishing their right to receive damages.
Assumption of the Risk Defense
In some instances, defendants to a catastrophic injury personal injury lawsuit may try to evade liability by asserting an assumption of the risk defense. Assumption of the risk is an affirmative defense that bars catastrophic injury plaintiffs from collecting compensation if defendants can prove that the plaintiff voluntarily exposed themselves to the risk that caused their harm after knowing that the risk of harm existed. Defendants often assert this defense against catastrophic injury claimants who sustain injuries while playing organized sports, during surgery, or while performing an inherently dangerous job.
An experienced Prince George’s County catastrophic injury lawyer could help safeguard claimants’ right to compensation by presenting evidence in court or during settlement negotiations that negates a defendant’s argument that claimants assumed the specific risk that caused them harm.
Contact a Prince George’s County Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today
If you sustained a catastrophic injury because of a third party’s negligent or careless actions, a Prince George’s County catastrophic injury lawyer could help you obtain compensation for your injuries.
A seasoned catastrophic injury attorney at Gelb & Gelb, P.C. could file a personal injury claim on your behalf and help you fight your case. Call today to schedule a case consultation.