Choosing the right catastrophic injury lawyer can determine the future of your recovery, your financial stability, and your ability to rebuild after life-changing harm. Munley Law is consistently listed among Best Lawyers’ Best Firms in America, and catastrophic injury cases are handled by an award-winning team with more than 250 years of combined experience and a long history of standing up for victims when the stakes are highest.
We have secured eight-figure results in cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and other devastating harm. Our record includes a $26 million settlement for a client who suffered quadriplegia in a truck accident, a $20 million settlement for a pedestrian with a traumatic brain injury, and a $12 million verdict for a woman who lost her leg in a commercial accident. These outcomes are the result of board-certified trial lawyers who work with leading medical and economic experts and build comprehensive claims that show the true lifetime impact of a catastrophic injury.
If you need trusted guidance, contact a personal injury attorney at Munley Law today for a no-obligation consultation. There’s no fee unless we win your case.
What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury?
As defined by 42 USC 3796b, a catastrophic injury is one that “permanently prevent(s) an individual from performing any gainful work.” Essentially, this means that the victim’s injuries are so severe that the standard personal injury case would not cover their long-term needs.
Medically, a catastrophic injury causes severe injury or damage to the spine and spinal cord, brain, loss of a limb, or
severe burns. These injuries require extensive medical care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and a lengthy recovery process.
Medical treatment for these injuries can cost thousands or even millions over their lifetime, making it crucial for catastrophic injury victims and their families to seek legal representation right away.
What Are the Most Common Examples of Catastrophic Injuries?
Typically, the damage of a catastrophic injury is permanent, meaning the victim will never make a full recovery. These life-altering injuries can be mental or physical and often require multiple surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
Common examples of catastrophic injuries include the following:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when there is a sudden external force exerted on the skull, damaging the brain. Damage may be to one part of the brain or be widespread. TBIs are one of the leading causes of death and disability in adults and can range in severity from minor concussions to coma and death. The Brain Injury Association of America reports that more than five million people in the United States are living with a permanent disability caused by a brain injury, which means roughly one in every 60 Americans is dealing with long-term effects.
Amputations
According to Johns Hopkins, traumatic injuries account for 45% of all amputations. Commonly, a limb will need to be amputated if it has been severed or torn during an accident or severely burned, and reconstruction cannot save it.
While amputation may remove the damaged limb, the recovery for a victim can be lengthy, resulting in an inability to return to the work they once did and no longer be able to enjoy the activities they once participated in.
Studies suggest that not only is the physical recovery a challenge, but mentally, more than 30 percent of amputees will experience depression following their loss of limb.
Burns
Not all burn injuries are considered catastrophic. For a burn to be labeled as such, there must be significant scarring, disfigurement, and long-term complications related to the burn(s).
First-degree burns are never considered catastrophic as they are surface-level and heal with time. However, second and third-degree burns can occur.
A second-degree burn may be considered a catastrophic or traumatic injury when it occurs in areas where the skin is thinner, resulting in substantial scarring and disfigurement. For example, burns on the face and neck will likely cause complications due to the sensitive skin.
Third-degree burns are almost always considered catastrophic injuries, as they leave permanent damage to the fat, muscles, and tissues. Victims of third-degree burns seldom feel the skin, which may have a leathery texture and be dark in color.
Fractures
Not all fractures are catastrophic injuries. But the severity of the injury will depend on where the fracture is and how it breaks, which will determine how severe the injury may be in the eyes of the law.
Fractures of the spine, skull, or pelvis are much more likely to be considered catastrophic as they can result in paralysis, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and internal organ damage, leading to a diminished quality of life for the victim.
Further, these injuries are at high risk for infection, and depending on the victim’s age, they may never recover.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries have two levels: complete and incomplete. A complete injury means the victim has no feeling or movement below the injury. An incomplete injury may still allow some feeling or movement. Complete spinal cord injuries are considered catastrophic.
Data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center shows how far-reaching these injuries are, with an estimated 18,421 new spinal cord injuries each year in the United States. Among these cases, about 19.6% result in complete paraplegia and 12.1% result in complete tetraplegia.
Contact a Catastrophic Injury Attorney at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Common Causes Of Catastrophic Injuries
A catastrophic injury can happen to anyone at any time. Most catastrophic injury claims result from one of the following accident types.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
From multi-vehicle wrecks to motorcycle accidents, commercial truck accidents, and pedestrian accidents, motor vehicle crashes can cause a wide variety of catastrophic injuries and even wrongful death.
When auto accidents occur, drivers and passengers may sustain life-changing injuries such as neck and back fractures, burns, and amputations.
Victims of these accidents have a right to pursue fair compensation with the help of personal injury lawyers.
Falls
Whether you are at work, in public, at a grocery store, etc., if you suffer a slip and fall and the injuries are severe, you may have a catastrophic injury. While not all falls are traumatic, if they result in permanent damage to your head, brain, or spine, it likely is.
Dangerous Products and Manufacturing Defects
When defective products cause a catastrophic injury, the process for compensation can be challenging.
Defective consumer products can cause catastrophic injury when errors are made in their design, manufacturing, or retail sales. We’ve worked with victims of electrocution injuries, burns, eye injuries, nerve damage, and more.
Workplace Injuries
Some workplaces are more dangerous than others. Warehouse employees, large truck drivers, and construction workers face great danger when accidents occur.
Workplace accidents that may result in catastrophic injury include:
- Slip and falls
- Burns and electrocutions
- Crush accidents
- Building collapses
If you suffered a traumatic injury from a workplace accident, you may be entitled to wage loss benefits through workers’ compensation.
What Compensation Can You Recover for a Catastrophic Injury?
Compensation in a catastrophic injury claim includes economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those financial losses that can be calculated. They include:
- Lost wages and loss of future income
- Medical costs (current and future expenses)
- Out-of-pocket expenses for travel, accommodations, etc.
Non-economic damages are those losses with no tangible monetary value. Non-economic losses include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, stress, anxiety, and depression
- Wrongful death
In cases where the at-fault party’s actions were egregious or intentional, punitive damages may be awarded to punish their negligence.
How Do You Recover Compensation for a Catastrophic Injury?
Recovering compensation for your catastrophic injuries can be challenging. Chances are, your medical care will max out what the insurance companies are willing to cover, leaving you with mounting medical debt.
However, you can secure compensation through a personal injury lawsuit with the guidance of a catastrophic injury law firm, like Munley Law.
Our lawyers will calculate the value of your claim, considering the severity of your injuries and the life-altering implications and needs you’ll have because of them. We’ll review your income before the accident and determine what your earning potential is now that you’ve likely suffered permanent disability. Finally, we’ll calculate the losses you’ve sustained that have no price tag but have cost you a great deal.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Catastrophic Injury?
To prove liability in a catastrophic injury case, you must show that:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care.
- There was a breach of duty.
- The defendant’s breach caused the injury.
- You suffered monetary and non-monetary losses as a result of the breach.
Liable parties in a catastrophic injury claim may include any person, including a:
- Negligent driver
- Employer
- Property owner
- Product manufacturer
- Medical professional
What If I Am Partially At Fault For the Accident?
Depending on the state in which the accident happened, you may receive less compensation if you were partially at fault for the accident. For example, Pennsylvania follows the law of comparative negligence. This means that as long as you are less than 51 percent to blame for an accident, you can still recover compensation for your losses.
However, the amount of compensation you collect will be adjusted by your percentage of blame. By working with an experienced attorney, you can rest assured knowing you are getting the compensation you deserve.
How Much Time Do I Have to Hire a Catastrophic Injury Attorney?
In most states, the statute of limitations for filing a catastrophic injury claim is 2 to 3 years from the accident date. If the injury results in death, you have two years from the death date to file a wrongful death claim.
That may seem like a lot of time, but you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your case best.
“Honoring those who came before us, Munley Law proudly continues our family tradition of innovation, caring, and integrity.”
Caroline Munley
What Is the Process of Filing a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit?
The steps for filing a catastrophic injury lawsuit are:
- Hiring an experienced personal injury law firm to begin the process. At your free consultation, you will discuss your case in length with a catastrophic injury attorney who will give you legal advice on how to proceed.
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence. This includes police reports, photo and video surveillance, medical records, eyewitness statements, and expert testimony.
- Filing a claim with the insurance company. This is the start of your lawsuit, as the insurance provider will either accept or deny the claim or offer you a settlement.
- Negotiations with the insurance. Never accept the first settlement, as it likely won’t be enough for your losses, nor is it the most they can give you.
- Trial if a settlement isn’t reached. If the insurance company doesn’t give you a fair settlement, you can take legal action against the at-fault party.
Never undergo the legal process alone. Call Munley Law to learn how we can help.
How Can a Catastrophic Personal Injury Attorney Help?
Any personal injury case can be overwhelming to handle alone. But a catastrophic injury can leave you and your family in financial ruin. A catastrophic injury lawyer can help you by building the strongest case possible against the negligent parties while you focus on your health.
We’ll do this by:
- Gathering evidence
- Negotiating with the insurance companies
- Calculating the value of your claim
- Representing you in court
Not all lawyers are equipped to handle the delicate nature of such traumatic events. But at Munley Law, we will guide you with the care and compassion needed to make you feel heard and protected.
Why Choose Munley Law As Your Catastrophic Injury Lawyers?
If you or a loved one were involved in a catastrophic accident as a result of a workplace accident, car accident, construction accident, medical malpractice, birth injury, or other event, Munley Law is here for you.
We work with medical experts to determine your long-term care needs so we can secure a fair settlement. We’ll also look at the bigger picture of your accident to ensure that any other losses you sustained are accounted for, ensuring you maximum compensation.
For more than 65 years, families across Pennsylvania and the nation have trusted Munley Law during the most life-changing moments of their lives. In that time, we have secured more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for personal injury victims, including multimillion-dollar results for clients facing catastrophic injuries:
- $26 million truck accident settlement: Our client suffered multiple traumas, traumatic brain injury, injuries to the spinal cord, quadriplegia, pulmonary embolism in a truck accident.
- $20 million car accident settlement: Our 15-year-old client was struck in a crosswalk and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
- $12 million commercial accident verdict: Our client lost her leg in a forklift accident
- $2.8 million truck accident settlement: Our client was hit by a work truck while trying to cross a mall parking lot. She suffered a traumatic brain injury.
- $1.35 million car accident settlement: Our client was critically injured when his car was hit by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel.
That experience is strengthened by the professional recognition our attorneys have earned across multiple practice areas. Members of our team have been named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in Personal Injury Litigation, Product Liability Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law, and Workers’ Compensation. National organizations have also highlighted the depth of our trial skills. Marion Munley and Daniel Munley appear among the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, Caroline Munley is named to the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers list, and J. Christopher Munley is named to the Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers list. Marion is also a member of The Summit Council, an invitation-only group reserved for attorneys who have secured multiple million-dollar jury verdicts as lead counsel.
Every partner at our firm has earned a place on the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America list and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which reflects the highest level of peer-reviewed professional excellence. The directory has also recognized our commitment to client service, awarding Daniel Munley the Platinum Client Champion Award and Caroline Munley the Silver Client Champion Award.
Traumatic events don’t just leave you physically changed; they uproot your life and make you start over. But we don’t think you should have to shoulder this burden alone. At Munley Law, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs to you, and you only pay for representation if we win.
Talk To a Catastrophic Injury Attorney Now
Frequently Asked Questions About Catastrophic Injuries
How do I know if my injury qualifies as a catastrophic injury under the law?
A catastrophic injury is generally one that results in permanent disability or long-term impairment that prevents you from returning to gainful employment. Conditions involving the brain, spinal cord, major burns, amputations, or severe fractures often meet this threshold. If your injury has changed your ability to work, care for yourself, or live independently, it is likely considered catastrophic, and you may qualify for significant compensation.
What makes catastrophic injury claims more complex than other personal injury cases?
Catastrophic injury cases require a deeper investigation into long-term medical needs, lifetime costs, future earning capacity, and specialized expert testimony. These cases also involve higher financial stakes, more aggressive insurance strategies, and multiple liable parties. Because of this complexity, victims benefit from a law firm with extensive experience in high-value, medically complex litigation.
Do catastrophic injury cases usually go to trial?
Many catastrophic injury claims settle out of court, but these cases are more likely to reach litigation because insurance carriers often dispute the severity or long-term costs. A firm with a strong trial record, like Munley Law, can negotiate from a position of strength by preparing every case as if it will go before a jury. This approach often leads to higher settlements.
How long does a catastrophic injury case typically take?
There is no standard timeline because catastrophic injury claims depend on medical stability, expert evaluations, and the level of dispute from insurance companies. Some cases settle within months, but those involving permanent disability, multiple defendants, or disputed liability can take a year or longer. A seasoned catastrophic injury lawyer ensures progress continues while protecting the full value of your claim.
Contact Our Catastrophic Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Review
If you or a loved one were involved in a catastrophic accident as a result of a workplace accident, car accident, construction accident, medical malpractice, birth injury, or other event, Munley Law is here for you.
We work with medical experts to determine your long-term care needs so we can secure a fair settlement. We’ll also look at the bigger picture of your accident to ensure that any other losses you sustained are accounted for, ensuring you maximum compensation.
Our track record speaks for itself, securing thousands of dollars in settlements and verdicts for victims and their family members after tragedy strikes.
Traumatic events don’t just leave you physically changed; they uproot your life and make you start over. But we don’t think you should have to shoulder this burden alone. At Munley Law, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs to you, and you only pay for representation if we win.
Victims of catastrophic injuries need justice. They need Munley Law. Contact us for a no-obligation, free consultation.
Caroline Munley
Caroline is a passionate trial lawyer and courtroom advocate, a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2022. Since 2018, she’s been listed in Best Lawyers in America (Personal Injury Plaintiffs; Workers’ Compensation Claimants, Northeastern PA) and named among PA’s Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates, and the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers.
