If a serious accident has left you with life-changing injuries, let a Munley Law Wilkes-Barre catastrophic injury lawyer carry the legal burden while you focus on piecing your life back together. For almost seven decades, we’ve supported victims in the aftermath of accidents by helping them pursue justice, and we have recovered more than $1 billion in damages.
We can help you claim compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Our firm is the only one in Pennsylvania with the honor of having three lawyers who are board-certified in Truck Accident law. We also have four lawyers with board certifications in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy. Our team is honored regularly by the likes of Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Lawdragon, the American Association for Justice, and the National Trial Lawyers. In addition, all five of our partners have AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell.
Contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation with our catastrophic injury lawyers in Wilkes-Barre. We’re available 24 hours a day, all week, and you won’t pay a fee unless we win your case.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
$26 Million Truck Accident
$20 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident
$19.8 Million Truck Accident
$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Work Injury
$11 Million Truck Accident
$9 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$7.5 Million Auto Accident
$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident
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 catastrophic injuries typically result in long-term or permanent disabilities, significant functional limitations, and may require extensive medical treatment and care.
Some of the most common catastrophic injuries in Wilkes-Barre include:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, motorcycle, and truck accidents are significant contributors to catastrophic injuries. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 1,404 of the 3,224 accidents in Luzerne County in 2024 resulted in injuries. Reckless driving or distracted driving accidents, drunk driving, speeding, or disobeying traffic laws can lead to severe injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, and multiple broken bones.
- Workplace Accidents: Employers’ failure to provide proper training, safety protocols, or protective equipment can result in catastrophic injuries, including industrial accidents, construction site incidents, or exposure to hazardous materials, which can lead to severe burns, amputations, and toxic exposures. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, 165,985 work injury and illness cases were reported in 2024, of which 1,960 were in Luzerne County. The department’s report does not specify the number of catastrophic injuries.
- Medical Negligence: Medical errors, surgical mistakes, medication errors, birth injuries, or misdiagnoses can cause catastrophic injuries such as brain damage, paralysis, and organ failure. The Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform revealed that 544 medical malpractice cases were filed in the state in 2023, although how many of these involved catastrophic injuries is unclear.
- Nursing Home Neglect: Failure to provide proper care in long-term care facilities can result in significant harm, including untreated infections, pressure ulcers, 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.
Contact a Wilkes-Barre Personal Injury Attorney
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Can You File a Lawsuit if Catastrophic Injury Results in Wrongful Death in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
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 catastrophic 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.
“At Munley Law, our mission is simple: to provide all injury victims equal access to justice, even against the most powerful entities. For more than 65 years, we have been the voice for the injured, the forgotten, and those who need someone to stand beside them in their darkest hour.”
Marion Munley
Time Limits on Your Wilkes-Barre Catastrophic Injury Case
Under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 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
Given the many complex aspects of catastrophic injury cases, you need an injury attorney with the knowledge, skills, and resources to give yourself the best chances of claiming compensation. With more than 250 years of combined legal experience, Munley Law’s Wilkes-Barre catastrophic injury lawyers are this team.
We’ve helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Some of the most impressive of these include:
- $12 million verdict for a woman who lost a leg in a forklift accident
- $9.95 million settlement for a mother hit head-on by a tractor-trailer
- $7.5 million verdict for a child injured in an accident
- $6.5 million settlement for a man who suffered a brain injury in a garbage truck accident
- $1 million jury award for a crush injury to a trucker’s foot
Results like these aren’t achieved without superior legal expertise, which explains why our lawyers are members of several prestigious organizations. Marion Munley and Daniel Munley are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Marion’s also a member of The Summit Council, an invitation-only organization of attorneys committed to the highest levels of trial advocacy, and, along with Caroline Munley, of the International Society of Barristers. Marion’s a Senior Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America, while Caroline’s a Fellow. Caroline’s also a Pennsylvania Bar Association certified workers’ compensation specialist, while Marion and Daniel are board-certified by the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, in which they’re members of the Board of Regents.
Our lawyers have a long list of awards and accolades. Best Lawyers named Marion Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law, and Personal Injury Litigation. Daniel was also named Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation, and J. Christopher Munley was named Lawyer of the Year for Workers’ Compensation. The National Trial Lawyers named Marion and Daniel to the Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers, Caroline to the Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, and the Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
The association also named J. Christopher to the Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers list. Several of our lawyers have won various awards from the American Association for Justice, Martindale-Hubbell, and other organizations.
Munley Law’s catastrophic injury lawyers in Wilkes-Barre will treat you with compassion, build the strongest case to maximize your compensation, and support you throughout the legal process.
Talk To a Catastrophic Injury in Wilkes-Barre Now
Frequently Asked Questions about Catastrophic Injury Cases in Wilkes-Barre
What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
An injury that results in long-term or permanent physical, cognitive, or emotional impairment qualifies as a catastrophic injury in Wilkes-Barre, PA. These injuries usually require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and ongoing support.
Common examples include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, amputations, multiple fractures, organ damage, and injuries caused by medical negligence or hazardous conditions.
What Should I Do if a Catastrophic Injury Leads to the Death of a Loved One in Wilkes-Barre?
If a catastrophic injury leads to the death of a loved one in Wilkes-Barre, you may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Your claim enables you to seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, medical bills, and the loss of companionship. Our catastrophic injury lawyers can guide you through the process with compassion and care.
How Long do I Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524, you generally have two years from the date of your injury, or when you reasonably became aware of it, to file a catastrophic injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania. Different rules apply in cases involving minors or wrongful death, where the two-year deadline typically begins on the child’s 18th birthday or date of death, respectively. Missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation, so it’s important to speak to an experienced Wilkes-Barre catastrophic injury lawyer at Munley Law as soon as possible.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover in a Catastrophic Injury Case?
In a catastrophic injury case, you can recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Some examples of economic damages include medical bills, rehabilitation, long-term care costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and other measurable financial losses, while some examples of non-economic damages are pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of companionship.
In severe cases involving reckless or intentional misconduct, the judge may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter future negligence.
Do Catastrophic Injury Cases Always Go to Court, or Can They Be Settled Out of Court?
Not all catastrophic injury cases go to court, as many are resolved successfully through negotiations with insurance companies or through mediation. However, as catastrophic injuries often involve significant damages and complex liability issues, insurance companies may resist paying full compensation. In those situations, our Wilkes-Barre catastrophic injury lawyers are prepared to go to court to fight for justice on your behalf.
Call Munley Law for a Free Consultation with Catastrophic Injury Lawyers
Choose the best firm to represent you in your fight for justice. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our Wilkes-Barre catastrophic injury lawyers. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on December 10, 2025.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley has been practicing personal injury law for nearly 40 years. She is triple board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for Truck Accident Law, Civil Trial Law, and Civil Practice Advocacy. She currently serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice, an organization dedicated to safeguarding victims’ rights. Marion has won many multimillion-dollar recoveries for her clients, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements in history. She has been named a Top 10 Super Lawyer in Pennsylvania since 2023, a Best Lawyer in America, and was recently inducted to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1170 PA-315
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
(570) 399-0406
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