While any injury is a challenge, catastrophic injuries can have a permanent impact on your life. If your devastating injury resulted from the reckless or careless acts of another person, you can ease the burden of this unexpected challenge with the help of a dedicated injury attorney.
A lawsuit against the at-fault party could help you receive financial recovery for your losses. If successful, you could obtain monetary compensation that will pay your medical bills and provide for your future income. Our Columbus catastrophic injury lawyers at our firm will review the facts surrounding your injury and advise you on your best chances for compensation.
How Do Catastrophic Injuries Occur?
A catastrophic injury is one so severe that it causes permanent or long-term impact on a person’s quality of life. A common effect of a traumatic injury is the inability to maintain employment after the accident.
Catastrophic injuries happen in several different ways. They typically involve a sudden impact as the result of a
car wreck, but they can occur almost anywhere. Some other common causes of devastating harm could include:
A Columbus resident that survives a catastrophic injury can consult with our experienced team of attorneys about their legal options. If their trauma resulted from the careless or reckless acts of another person, our traumatic injury lawyers in Columbus can work to hold the at-fault party accountable.
Negligence and the Duty of Care
Proof that a devastating injury occurred is not enough evidence for you or our trusted Columbus catastrophic injury attorneys to recover damages. Our dedicated legal team must also show the negligent acts of the defendant caused those injuries.
Negligence occurs when a person fails to exercise the care a person normally would in that situation. This duty of care can vary depending on the circumstances. For instance, the duty owed by a person operating a motor vehicle can be much higher than in a situation where a sporting event results in severe injury. If a plaintiff can demonstrate to a jury that the defendant owed a duty of care and then violated it, the plaintiff could receive an award of damages.
Shared Responsibility for a Devastating Injury
Negligence in an accident that causes traumatic harm is not always apparent. If the injured plaintiff plays any role in causing their own injuries, it could affect their ability to seek compensation.
Columbus follows the modified comparative negligence standard in personal injury cases, per
Ohio Code Section 2315.33. According to this statute, a jury must consider the facts of the case and then assign responsibility for the accident to each party in the form of a percentage. If a plaintiff is 50 percent at fault or less, they have the right to seek compensation. However, if a jury finds the plaintiff was primarily at fault, they may not pursue damages against any other party. The statute also requires the jury to reduce each damage award in proportion to the claimant’s responsibility.
Speak with a Columbus Catastrophic Injury Attorney Right Away
Adjusting to life after suffering a traumatic injury can be challenging. Things that were once easy can quickly become a chore. Certain aspects of your life – including the ability to earn a living – might be permanently altered.
To ensure your needs are met after another person causes you devastating harm, you should speak with our accomplished team of attorneys about pursuing litigation. To move forward,
call a compassionate Columbus catastrophic injury lawyer from our office right away.