Bakersfield Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Any accident that results in a personal injury can be disruptive to your personal and professional life, especially if your injury takes several months to heal. Unfortunately, some injuries are so “catastrophic” that they will never fully heal even after years have passed, meaning they will significantly alter the course of your life on top of causing physical, financial, and psychological losses.

In situations like this, it can be more important than ever to demand comprehensive compensation—ideally with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney—from the person whose negligence led to you experiencing such serious harm. With a seasoned Bakersfield catastrophic injury lawyer on your side, you will be able to more effectively enforce your rights under California civil law and recover as much and as fairly as possible for the effects your injury will have on your life.

What Makes “Catastrophic Injuries” Unique?

Unlike some other states, California law does not establish a specific definition for what counts as a “catastrophic injury” compared to a standard personal injury. In general, courts consider an injury to be “catastrophic” if it is permanent or severely debilitating to the point that it reduces the injured person’s ability to hold gainful employment or live a normal life, meaning an injury like:

• Spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis
• Severe brain trauma
• High-degree or widespread burns causing permanent disfigurement
• Loss/amputation of limb
• Any injury causing blindness or deafness
• Internal organ damage resulting in a loss of normal function

Designating an injury as “catastrophic” does not change the procedures for an ensuing lawsuit or settlement demand, all of which a Bakersfield catastrophic accident attorney can still provide help with navigating.

Causes of Catastrophic Harm

Catastrophic injuries can result from many different types of accidents. Most commonly, these are the result of car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle wrecks, as well as slips and falls and dog bites.

Recovering Fairly Within Filing Deadlines

By definition, catastrophic injuries are lifelong and life-altering, so seeking fair financial recovery for the losses caused by one requires looking well into the future to estimate various long-term forms of harm the injury is likely to cause. While every case is unique, a typical claim might need to account for decades’ worth of expenses for rehabilitative treatment and assistive equipment like wheelchairs, as well as permanent loss of earning capacity, physical pain, and various forms of psychological distress.

Importantly, though, people who get hurt through another person’s misconduct in California do not have unlimited time to file suit over their injury, even if that injury is catastrophic.

As per California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, prospective personal injury plaintiffs generally have a maximum of two years after initially sustaining harm to start any lawsuit they ever intend to file over that injury, making it essential to contact a skilled lawyer sooner rather than later after sustaining a catastrophic injury in Bakersfield.

Consider Working With a Bakersfield Catastrophic Injury Attorney

No matter what word you use to describe it, a catastrophic injury is something no one should ever have to experience for any reason, and certainly not because someone else was irresponsible around them. If you have been hurt severely, a capable and experienced legal attorney can assist you with enforcing your right to recovery.

A Bakersfield catastrophic injury lawyer from CD Law could answer questions you have about your options and offer guidance about the next steps toward recovery during a confidential consultation. Call today to schedule a free consultation.