Suffering a permanent and debilitating injury under any circumstances is an instantly life-altering and emotionally traumatic experience, to say nothing of how much that injury could also negatively impact your physical and financial well-being. When this type of injury occurs because of someone else’s reckless or careless conduct, it can be tough to know what to do or even how to start thinking about recovery.
In a situation like this, guidance from a knowledgeable and compassionate Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer at Perenich Law Injury Attorneys could be crucial to ensuring you make the most of your legal rights. While money cannot completely undo damage this severe, pursuing fair compensation with a dedicated personal injury attorney’s support could still be key to improving your quality of life and achieving justice.
How Are “Catastrophic Injury” Claims Unique?
Florida provides a few specific definitions for what constitutes a “catastrophic injury” under state law. According to Florida Statutes § 960.03, a catastrophic injury can be any of the following:
- Total or industrial blindness
- Amputation of any arm, leg, hand, or foot
- Spinal cord damage resulting in one or more limbs or any part of the torso becoming severely paralyzed
- Severe brain trauma resulting in loss of sensory or motor function, ability to communicate, loss of cerebral function, or severe neurological disorders
- Second-degree or third-degree burns covering 25 percent or more of the body’s total surface area, or third-degree burns covering five percent or more of the face or hands
- Any injury that would qualify the injured person to receive Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits through the Social Security Administration
For medical malpractice claims in particular, Fla. Stat. § 766.118 also defines any loss of reproductive organs resulting in the loss of the ability to procreate as a catastrophic injury. As our team of well-practiced lawyers in Tampa could further explain, formally defining an injury as “catastrophic” in this way can be important to maximizing available compensation.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Severe losses place an exceptional toll on those who experience them. The sources of these life-changing injuries can include many types of wrongdoing, such as medical malpractice, dog attacks, slip and falls, and car crashes. Some more contextual examples of what might lead to a catastrophic injury include:
- A vicious dog attacks a small child, resulting in the child losing a hand
- Due to a clerical error, an overtired surgeon mistakenly amputates a limb from a patient who came in for a simple appendectomy
- An electrician’s mistake when installing wiring in a newly constructed home results in a life-threatening fire that permanently disfigures a new family
- A driver texts and drives on their way home from work, causing them to crash into and break the spine of an innocent pedestrian crossing the street to see a friend
Any of the above incidents may permanently change someone’s life or how they perceive or interact with the world around them. For example, the accident may rob them of the chance to run and play with their children or participate in a lifelong career they are passionate about. Instead, they may have to reorganize their life around a painful or limiting medical condition they did not ask for and did not cause.
While working with a catastrophic injury attorney in Tampa cannot undo the harm an individual experiences, it could provide an opportunity for them to seek justice and compensation for their losses. Additionally, this step could be a source of empowerment, giving them the space to express their frustration in a responsive environment.
Statute of Limitations for Catastrophic Injury Cases
For eligible parties, filing a lawsuit because of a permanently disabling or disfiguring condition caused by someone else may be an option; however, there are special rules about when someone needs to submit the required paperwork. The specific deadline that applies depends on the type of misconduct that led to their losses.
For example, for some claims based on negligence—such as a head-on collision or professional malpractice—Fla. Stat. § 95.11 requires them to take action within two years after the harmful event or when they realized they were injured. However, a person injured by an intentional act of violence—like an assault or battery—may have up to four years to take this step.
Fla. Stat. § 95.051 provides an extensive list of other exceptions to the filing rules that may extend the time a casualty has to sue. An injured individual in Tampa may benefit from working with a qualified attorney familiar with the applicable laws and deadlines for catastrophic injury cases.
Recovering for Short- and Long-Term Losses
A comprehensive catastrophic injury claim should account for both economic and non-economic damage an injured person suffers. Importantly, this includes all expected future losses that a permanent and debilitating injury will result in after the civil litigation process concludes. For example, permanent paralysis below the waist may result not only in a loss of short-term working income but also a permanent loss of working and earning capacity for the rest of the injured person’s life. Guidance from a seasoned lawyer could be especially vital to recovering fairly for these sorts of damages caused by a catastrophic accident in Tampa.
Contact a Tampa Catastrophic Injury Attorney for Help
At Perenich Law Injury Attorneys, we are used to proactively taking on complex cases. Few types of civil claims are more complicated—and with higher stakes riding on the outcome—than those dealing with catastrophic injuries. By bringing us your case, we can apply all our legal knowledge and experience toward getting you the best possible result.
A Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer from our team could make a world of difference in how your case plays out. Call today to learn more about our personalized approach and our community-first approach to doing right by our clients.
(727) 669-2828