Yakima Catastrophic Injury Attorneys

What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?

A catastrophic injury is often defined as one that results in long-term or permanent consequences, significantly impacting your life and ability to function on your own. Catastrophic injuries can leave you unable to work for months or years or indefinitely. You might also become reliant on ongoing medical care and technology that makes you face substantial lifestyle changes. Whether it’s adjusting your home for wheelchair accessibility or coping with the loss of a critical sense like vision or hearing, the impact is far-reaching and unique to each person.

Types of Catastrophic Injury Cases We Handle

Carpenter & Zuckerman in Yakima focuses on representing people who have suffered life-changing injuries caused by accidents, negligence, or other wrongful actions. Each case is unique, but the emotional and financial toll of a catastrophic injury is universally significant. We consider every element of your case so your voice is heard as we pursue justice and compensation on your behalf.

Some of the catastrophic injury cases we handle include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Severe brain injuries that can cause memory loss, cognitive impairments, emotional instability, and physical disabilities.
• Spinal cord injuries: Spinal trauma that may lead to partial or full paralysis, mobility challenges, and loss of independence.
• Amputations: The loss of limbs due to accidents can profoundly affect a person’s ability to work and engage in daily activities. Chronic pain in the form of phantom limb pain can also occur.
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement: Injuries that leave lasting physical scars or result in cosmetic disfigurement, often causing emotional distress, too.
• Sensory damage: Loss of a critical sense, such as blindness or deafness, which can dramatically affect your quality of life and independence.

Compensation in a Catastrophic Injury Claim

Catastrophic injury claims typically involve higher compensation than standard personal injury cases due to the severity and long-term impact of the injuries. Our attorneys don’t leave any stone unturned, especially when a client’s entire future well-being might be on the line. We take the time to calculate every immediate and future need, so we can pursue the financial resources required to help you move forward with confidence.

We work tirelessly to recover the full range of damages you need, including:

• Medical costs: Compensation for current medical bills, future surgeries, medications, and ongoing healthcare needs.
• Lost wages: Reimbursement for income lost due to your inability to work, both now and in the years to come.
• Loss of earning capacity: Compensation for the future income you would have earned if not for your injury.
• Pain and suffering: Damages for the physical and emotional distress caused by your injuries.
• Rehabilitation and long-term care: Coverage for physical therapy, nursing care, and adaptive equipment to assist with your recovery.
• Home modifications: Expenses for making your living space accessible, such as adding ramps or modifying bathrooms.

Will My Catastrophic Injury Claim Go to Court?

Not all injury claims go to trial, but catastrophic injury cases are often more complex, so the chances of litigation might increase. The severity of injuries, disputes over liability, or disagreements over settlement amounts can lead to litigation.

At Carpenter & Zuckerman, we are not only skilled negotiators but also highly experienced trial attorneys. We are fully prepared to take your case to court if that’s what it takes to achieve justice. Whether through settlement negotiations or litigation, our priority is securing the best possible outcome for you.

Is the Statute of Limitations Different for Catastrophic Injury Claims?

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Washington is generally three years from the date of the injury. However, there may be exceptions depending on the specifics of your case, such as injuries involving minors or claims against a government entity. In either situation, the severity of your injury does not change the statute of limitations.