What is considered a catastrophic injury?

A catastrophic injury is a severe injury that results in long-term or permanent disability, significant functional limitations, and requires extensive medical treatment and care. Examples include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe burns, and amputations.

What are common causes of catastrophic injuries in Wilkes-Barre?

Common causes include motor vehicle accidents, falls, workplace accidents, and incidents involving dangerous products or manufacturing defects.

How can Munley Law help with my catastrophic injury case?

Munley Law's experienced attorneys will investigate your case, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

What compensation can I receive for a catastrophic injury?

You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other related expenses. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded.

Is there a time limit to file a catastrophic injury claim in Pennsylvania?

Yes. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including catastrophic injuries, is typically two years from the date of the accident. It's important to consult with a lawyer promptly to ensure your claim is filed on time.

Wilkes-Barre Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

The aftermath of a serious accident may result in life-changing catastrophic injuries. These injuries can be devastating, often requiring substantial financial resources and ongoing support to manage the physical, emotional, and financial challenges associated with the harm you’ve experienced. If you have been the victim of a serious accident and suffered a serious injury such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a spine injury, burns, or an amputation, your life may be at a standstill and you’re not sure how to move forward.

You need a Wilkes-Barre personal injury lawyer, specifically with catastrophic injury experience, who will vigorously fight for your rights and best interests. Our Wilkes-Barre catastrophic injury lawyers have decades of experience and success advocating for our clients. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes-Barre catastrophic injury

Severe and often life-altering injuries profoundly impact an individual’s physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. These types of injuries typically result in long-term or permanent disabilities, significant functional limitations, and may require extensive medical treatment and care.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2020, approximately 80,200 people lost their lives due to unintentional injuries including motor vehicle accidents and falls. In fact, “unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans aged 1–44 years old.” Further, the National Safety Council (NSC) reports that “in 2021, 62 million people – about 1 in 5 – sought medical attention for an injury.”

Some of the most common catastrophic injuries are as follows:

Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, motorcycle, and truck accidents are significant contributors to catastrophic injuries. Reckless driving or distracted driving accidents, drunk driving, speeding, or disobeying traffic laws can lead to severe injuries such as TBIs, spinal cord injuries, and multiple broken bones.
Premises Liability: Property owners or occupiers are legally obligated to ensure the safety and maintenance of their premises. Negligence in maintaining a property, failing to address hazards, or inadequate security measures can lead to catastrophic injuries, including slip-and-fall accidents and negligent security incidents.
Workplace Accidents: Employers’ failure to provide proper training, safety protocols, or protective equipment can result in catastrophic injuries—industrial accidents, construction site incidents, or exposure to hazardous materials, including severe burns, amputations, and toxic exposures.
Medical Negligence: Medical errors, surgical mistakes, medication errors, birth injuries, or misdiagnoses can cause catastrophic injuries such as brain damage, paralysis, and organ failure.
Nursing Home Neglect: Failure to provide proper care in long-term care facilities can lead to significant harm, including untreated infections, bedsores, and malnutrition.
Product Liability: Manufacturers, distributors, or sellers can be held responsible for catastrophic injuries caused by defective or dangerous products due to design flaws, manufacturing defects, or inadequate warnings.

Wrongful Death Resulting from Catastrophic Injury

In certain devastating cases, a catastrophic injury can result in the loss of a loved one. Family members of the deceased may have the option to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against those responsible.

It is not lost on us that there is absolutely no amount of money or legal victory that can bring back your loved one. Still, we are here to shoulder the burden and seek justice for you and your family. Funeral expenses and lost income can be overwhelming; a wrongful death claim can help lessen your financial burden.

Our personal injury attorneys in Wilkes-Barre have a proven track record of assisting thousands of families in securing justice through wrongful death lawsuits. If you have lost a loved one, do not hesitate to contact Munley Law. We will stand by your side, advocating for you every step of the way.

Time Limits on Your Wilkes-Barre Catastrophic Injury Case

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524, you generally have two years from the date you became aware—or reasonably should have become aware—of your injury to file a lawsuit. Exceptions apply for minors and in wrongful death cases, where the two-year period runs from the date of death.

Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries

Your catastrophic injuries may be short-term or permanent. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you should not bear the financial burden alone. You have the right to seek both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages cover measurable losses: past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and other quantifiable costs.

Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of companionship.

Calculating these damages requires expertise in medical prognosis, insurance coverage, and applicable statutes. Munley Law will gather all necessary documentation and consult experts to ensure your claim accounts for every loss.

In certain cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct and to deter similar behavior in the future.

Why You Need an Experienced Wilkes-Barre Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

You need an attorney with specific experience handling catastrophic injury lawsuits in Pennsylvania. Our firm’s decades-long track record, extensive network of medical and investigative experts, and commitment to clear communication make us uniquely qualified to pursue the maximum recovery on your behalf.

We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll such injuries impose. Whether through skilled negotiation or vigorous courtroom representation, we will fight to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Personal Injury Claims We Handle in Wilkes-Barre, PA:

Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on May 19, 2025.

Do I Have A Case?

If you think you may have a personal injury case, contact us now for a FREE consultation.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

1170 PA-315
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
(570) 399-0406