The lawyers of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton put the needs of their clients first. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys understands how an injury can change the course of a life forever. Because of this, we always offer strong legal representation that seeks just damages in each case.
Damages are an especially important consideration when an injury is catastrophic in nature. By that we mean the injury leads to a disability of some kind. Paralysis, the loss of a limb, or serious brain damage can have lifelong repercussions for the accident victim as well as the victim’s family.
Severe Injuries Have Lasting Repercussions
When a person suffers a minor injury, they tend to recovery rather quickly. Even significant injuries such as a broken bone or a serious laceration tends to heal up in a normal amount of time. There may be scars and pain, but the person will still be mobile and able to get around without major changes.
Major injuries, however, can lead to lifelong problems with mobility and able-bodiedness. Severe spinal cord injuries can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia, for instance, connfining the accident victim to a wheelchair for the rest of their lives. The loss of a limb or multiple limbs can make daily life extremely difficult. Severe head trauma can lead to a brain injury that has lifelong effects on your cognition, mood, and motor skills.
When these kinds of severe injuries occur, a lawyer can help you seek compensation from the negligent party responsible.
Limitations to Your Career Path
A severe injury that results in disability can alter your career path in innumerable ways. You may not be able to perform routine manual labor tasks because of your disability. Physically demanding jobs may not longer be an option after a severe injury. For quadriplegics in particular, there are very few jobs that they can do given the severe limitations imposed upon them.
Changes To Your Day-to-Day Life
Simple tasks that we take for granted each day can be severe burdens for people with a disability. Simply feeding, dressing, washing, and and cleaning around the home can become very challenging, and in some cases impossible. Your home may need to be changed to address your new needs given your disability. You may find yourself dependent on family members and loved ones throughout the day.
The Need for Physical Rehabilitation
Following a catastrophic accident, injury victims will often undergo physical rehabilitation and therapy to help restore movement and strength. Sessions can be taxing and difficult, though they are an important part of the recovery process and moving forward. These sessions can also be costly. Bills can add up fast.
Additional Medical Treatments and Assistance
Additional medical care and even professional medical monitoring and help are often required following a severe accident. Surgeries and additional doctor visits are a common fact of life, for instance. In the the case of quadriplegics, having a medical professional present in case of an urgent issue is also part of your daily life. As with physical therapy and rehabilitation, this can be quite expensive.
Compensatory and Punitive Damages
When seeking damage from the negligent party who caused your serious injury, our attorneys will consider both compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages will cover actual material losses associated with your injury. This includes medical treatments, lost wages, lost future earning due to a career change, and the cost of therapy. Punitive damages will seek to punish the negligent party for their actions and make sure similar tragedies do no happen again in the future.
While the damages will not undo the injury, they can help you and your loved ones live with dignity as you face the challenges ahead.
Learn More About Your Legal Options
For more information about your legal options after a major accident, be sure to contact our team of personal injury attorneys today. The lawyers of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton will work closely with you in your time of legal need.