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 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.

$32 Million Wrongful Death

$26 Million Truck Accident

$17.5 Million Car Accident

$12 Million Product Liability

$9 Million Truck Accident

$8 Million Truck Accident

$7.5 Million Auto Accident

$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident

$6.5 Million Traumatic Brain Injury

$5 Million Medical Malpractice

$5 Million Bus Accidents

Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Wilkes-Barre, PA

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” [emphasis added].

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 or distracted driving, 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. They have a responsibility to provide a secure environment for visitors, customers, or tenants. Negligence in maintaining a property, failing to address hazards, or inadequate security measures can lead to catastrophic injuries. Examples include slip-and-fall accidents, inadequate safety precautions in public places, or negligent security resulting in assaults or injuries.
Workplace Accidents: Employers or supervisors failing to provide proper training, inadequate safety protocols, lack of protective equipment, or failure to maintain a safe work environment, as well as industrial accidents, construction site incidents, or exposure to hazardous materials can result in catastrophic injuries. This includes severe burns, limb amputations, crushing injuries, and toxic exposure leading to long-term health complications.
Medical Negligence: Medical errors, surgical mistakes, medication errors, birth injuries, or misdiagnoses can cause catastrophic injuries. Examples of these injuries include brain damage, paralysis, nerve damage, or organ failure due to medical malpractice.
Nursing Home Neglect: Failure to provide proper care, attention, and basic necessities to vulnerable individuals residing in these facilities can result in significant harm. Some violations of nursing home duties may include neglecting to administer medication, ignoring signs of illness or infection, and a lack of proper monitoring and supervision.
Product Liability: Manufacturers, distributors, or sellers can be held responsible for catastrophic injuries caused by defective or dangerous products. This includes manufacturing defects, design flaws, or inadequate warnings or instructions.

Wrongful Death Resulting from Catastrophic Injury

In certain devastating cases, a catastrophic injury can result in the loss of a loved one. In such circumstances, 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 win that can bring back your loved one. Still, we are here to shoulder the burden and seek justice for you and for the loved one you lost. Along with the grief you are experiencing due to their absence, in some cases, a loved one lost to a catastrophic injury may have been the family’s primary financial provider. Or maybe the funeral expenses you’re faced with are rapidly accumulating. By pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party, we can help lessen your financial burden.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys has a proven track record of assisting thousands of families secure justice by pursuing wrongful death lawsuits. If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, do not hesitate to contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys. We will stand by your side throughout the entire process, advocating for you, and supporting you every step of the way.

Time Limits on Your Wilkes-Barre Catastrophic Injury Case

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524 of the Pennsylvania Code, like most jurisdictions in the United States, to file a lawsuit if you have experienced a catastrophic injury, you typically have a two-year timeframe from the point you became aware or should have reasonably become aware, of your injury. This is known as the statute of limitations. There are exceptions to the statute, for example, if a minor is involved, they have until before their 20th birthday to file a lawsuit. In the tragic circumstance of a victim’s demise, whether they are an adult or a minor, any legal action must be initiated within two years from the date of death.

Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries

Your catastrophic injuries may be short term or long term. Whether they are temporary or permanent, if the negligence of someone else brought you to the injuries you are enduring today, you should not have to use your hard-earned money for someone else’s wrongdoing. Now is the time to have a lawyer who will fight for you and work towards securing the compensation and justice that you deserve.

In catastrophic injury cases, victims have the right to seek compensation for their losses through monetary damages. In Pennsylvania, damages can be categorized into two main types: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages include the measurable financial losses incurred as a direct result of the injury. This includes past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and other quantifiable monetary losses.

Non-economic damages include the intangible and subjective effects of the injury. These damages are meant to compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, loss of companionship, and any other non-monetary hardships endured due to the injury.

Calculating damages accurately in catastrophic injury cases can be complex and requires a deep understanding of the applicable laws, medical complexities, and insurance coverage available. It’s important to work with skilled professionals who possess the knowledge and expertise to assess and advocate for your rightful compensation. Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys will gather the relevant documentation, consult with experts if necessary, and ensure that all potential damages are accounted for in your claim.

Compensation for catastrophic injuries aims to provide financial support to individuals who have sustained severe and life-altering injuries. The specific amount of compensation can vary depending on various factors, including the nature and extent of the injury and the impact on the individual’s life. Commonly, the types of compensation sought for catastrophic injuries are as follows:

Medical Expenses: Compensation may cover past, present, and future medical expenses related to the injury. This includes hospitalization, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and ongoing medical treatments.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: If the injury causes the victim to miss work or results in a diminished ability to earn income in the future, compensation may include reimbursement for lost wages and potential earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering: Damages can be awarded for the physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress caused by the catastrophic injury. This considers the severity of the injury, the long-term effects, and the impact on the individual’s quality of life.
Disability and Impairment: Compensation may be provided for the long-term disability or impairment resulting from the injury. This includes the loss of bodily functions, mobility limitations, disfigurement, and the need for ongoing assistance or care.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the catastrophic injury significantly affects the victim’s ability to participate in activities they previously enjoyed, compensation may be sought for the loss of enjoyment of life and the inability to pursue hobbies or interests.

In certain exceptional cases, punitive damages may be awarded. Punitive damages serve as a form of punishment for the defendant, typically when their actions involved extreme recklessness, intentional harm, or a malicious disregard for the safety and well-being of others. The primary purpose of punitive damages is to deter similar misconduct in the future.

Why You Need an Experienced Wilkes-Barre Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

At this time, it is important you have a lawyer who has expertise specifically handling catastrophic injury cases. They should have a deep understanding of the legal complexities involved, relevant laws and regulations, and a track record of successfully representing clients with similar injuries. Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s leading personal injury law firms because this is fundamentally who we are and what we do. It is our mission to promote justice and fair compensation even if we have to fight for it.

Our longevity has helped us build an unmatched network of resources. The experts, medical professionals, investigators, and other professionals we work with will help strengthen your case and support your claim.

We keep the lines of communication open with our clients by responding to your inquiries, providing regular updates on your case, and explaining complex legal concepts in a clear and understandable manner.

You need a lawyer who understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll of a catastrophic injury, and who is committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcome. Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys possess excellent advocacy skills, both in and out of the courtroom. We are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies and opposing parties, and if necessary, we will vigorously present a compelling case in front of a judge and jury if necessary. Rest assured, we are not at all deterred by challenges or setbacks.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. You do not pay any fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

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

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Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

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