Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in Long Island, NY

Understanding Catastrophic Injuries

Victims of catastrophic injuries and their families face challenges every day. Long-term and permanent disabilities can force them to adapt in areas like their careers, their social lives, and their ability to care for their children.

To help build a new life after a catastrophic injury, the victim can turn to an experienced lawyer who will seek financial support from the person or organization that caused their injuries.

How Our Long Island Catastrophic Injury Attorneys Serve You

At the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Firm, our legal team provides comprehensive legal support. Here are just some of the services you can expect as we move your case forward.

In-Depth Case Investigation

We thoroughly examine all aspects of the incident that injured you to build a strong case. Our investigation might involve visiting the accident site and interviewing witnesses. For car accident cases, we might consult with accident reconstruction professionals who understand Long Island roads and local factors that often contribute to collisions.

Detailed Assessment of Damages

We fight to recover the full amount of your losses. Working with medical professionals, life care planners, and economists, we assess the full extent of your injuries and their long-term financial impact. This assessment will include not only medical expenses but also the effects of the injury on your career.

We’ll also consider factors like the rising cost of living on Long Island and the potential need for specialized care that may require travel to New York City. Finally, we’ll include nonfinancial losses such as chronic pain, scarring, and changes to your quality of life.

Strategic Negotiations

Our team handles insurance communications with confidence, even when these insurers are unforthcoming. We're familiar with the tactics that insurance companies operating on Long Island use to try to undermine our clients’ claims — and we’re prepared to counter each one of their arguments.

Strong Court Representation

When necessary, we’ll advocate vigorously for you in a Long Island courtroom. Our trial attorneys have established relationships with court personnel in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and we’re ready to go face-to-face with the defendant’s lawyers, fighting for your rights in front of a judge or jury.

Client-Focused Approach

With personalized attention, our legal team addresses each client’s specific needs. Each Long Island community — and each Long Islander — is unique, and we tailor our approach to fit your circumstances and the local context of your case.

Causes of Severe Injuries on Long Island

Long Island's unique blend of suburban neighborhoods, extensive coastline, and bustling urban centers offers a lot for its residents to appreciate. However, this diverse environment also provides a variety of scenarios where catastrophic injuries can occur:

• Medical malpractice: Even in Long Island's most reputable healthcare facilities, medical providers can make mistakes, including in diagnosis, treatment, or surgical procedures.
• Construction accidents: Accidents involving heavy machinery, structural collapses, and electrical shocks can seriously injure the workers who help Long Island grow.
• Workplace accidents: Workers in Long Island’s diverse economy encounter hazards like machinery accidents in factories and repetitive stress injuries in offices.
• Defective product injuries: Dangerous household appliances, car parts, medical devices, or pharmaceuticals can cause long-term health complications.
• Pedestrian accidents: While communities are becoming safer and more walkable, pedestrians still face dangers at busy intersections, in shopping districts, or near public transportation hubs.
• Bicycle accidents: Cyclists are particularly vulnerable due to their lack of protection, and collisions with motor vehicles can lead to traumatic brain injuries or paralysis.
• Slip and fall incidents: Slips and falls in public spaces, private properties, or businesses may lead to hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, or spinal cord damage.
• Motor vehicle accidents: Devastating crashes are common among commuters, tourists, and residents who travel Long Island's network of highways and local roads.

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury on Long Island, seek experienced legal representation from the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Firm. Ask our lawyers how we can help protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.

Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries We Handle

The Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Firm takes on cases involving a wide range of severe injuries.

Birth Injury

When medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery results in harm to a newborn, the consequences can be devastating. Our experienced catastrophic injury attorneys understand the complex medical issues involved and work to secure comprehensive compensation that ensures lifetime care and support for affected children.

Amputations

Someone who loses a limb must relearn how to navigate the world and care for themselves. They may need prosthetics, therapy, and adaptive tools. After losing a limb, many people face new physical, emotional, and professional challenges.

Severe Burns

Burns, particularly third- and fourth-degree burns, can be life-changing. These burns damage skin, nerves, and underlying tissues, often requiring extensive surgeries and rehabilitation. Even after some burns heal, visible scarring can cause emotional and social hardships.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A brain injury can lead to memory loss, difficulty with concentration, and behavioral changes that impact the victim’s personal and professional lives. Often, these injuries require ongoing rehabilitation and may permanently alter cognitive function.

Paralysis

Each paralysis case presents unique challenges depending on the affected areas and the cause of injury. Our legal team works with medical professionals to understand the full scope of needed care, from specialized equipment to home modifications and personal assistance.

Spinal Cord Damage

Whether caused by accidents, falls, or medical errors, spinal cord damage can have far-reaching consequences beyond mobility issues. Our team fights for compensation that covers cutting-edge treatments, rehabilitation services, and necessary lifestyle accommodations.

Internal Organ Injuries

Internal damage to organs like the lungs, liver, or kidneys may demand ongoing medical care. Complications from these injuries can impact overall health, requiring multiple surgeries and lifestyle changes.

Debilitating Neurological Conditions

Conditions such as epilepsy or motor impairments disrupt coordination and cognition. These symptoms affect both independence and quality of life. Neurological disorders may require continuous medical attention, rehabilitation, and support.

Vision Loss

The sudden loss of sight greatly affects a person’s independence and ability to function. Losing a sense can also lead to long-term emotional and psychological challenges. While someone may adjust and thrive with adaptive tools and training, the effect on their lifestyle is profound.

Wrongful Death

In cases of fatal injuries, our Long Island catastrophic injury attorneys help families seek not only compensation for tangible losses but also accountability for their loved one's death. We handle these sensitive cases with compassion while aggressively pursuing the maximum available damages.

Our catastrophic injury legal team stays up to date on the latest medical advancements and rehabilitation techniques. With our history of success in medical malpractice and personal injury cases, we can confidently meet the full scope of our clients' needs.

Essential Steps to Take After a Catastrophic Injury on Long Island

If you suffer a catastrophic injury, what you do next matters to both your long-term health and your ability to seek compensation:

• Prioritize medical care, seeking treatment immediately.
• Document the incident as thoroughly as possible, such as by taking photos, gathering witness contact information, and keeping all medical records and bills.
• Ensure that official reports are filed, whether it's a police report for a traffic accident or an incident report for a workplace injury.
• Avoid discussing the incident publicly or with insurance representatives — social media posts or statements to insurers can potentially harm your case.
• Follow all medical recommendations; adhering to your treatment plan is crucial for your health and demonstrates the severity of your injuries.
• Consult with a Long Island catastrophic injury attorney to understand your legal options.

Early legal advice can be critical in protecting your rights and building a strong case. Don’t wait one more day to call the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Firm and set up your free consultation.

Compensation in Long Island Catastrophic Injury Cases

Catastrophic injury victims may be entitled to the following types of compensation:

• Comprehensive medical coverage: This includes current and future medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, and housing in long-term care facilities, if needed.
• Lost earnings and future income potential: We calculate not just lost wages but also your future earning capacity, considering Long Island's job market and cost of living.
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress: The physical pain and psychological impact of your injuries can be substantial in catastrophic injury cases.
• Disability accommodations and lifestyle changes: You may need home modifications, an adaptive vehicle, or other accommodations.
• Expenses for ongoing care and rehabilitation: Many catastrophic injuries require lifelong care or extended rehabilitation, and we factor these costs into your claim.
• Compensation for loss of enjoyment of life: Some catastrophic injuries affect one's ability to enjoy hobbies, participate in family activities, or maintain intimate relationships.

We fight for compensation that acknowledges every profound life change you’re coping with. Our goal is to secure a settlement or verdict that fully addresses the impact of the injury, including both your immediate and long-term needs.

Legal Time Limits for Long Island Injury Claims

Every state has strict time limits for filing lawsuits. Failing to file within these time limits can result in the loss of your right to seek compensation, regardless of the severity of your injuries. These are some important deadlines in New York.

Personal Injury Cases

You have a three-year filing window from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline applies to most injury cases, including those that involve motor vehicle accidents, premises liability claims, and product liability claims.

Medical Malpractice Cases

Medical malpractice claims have a 2.5-year time limit that starts on the date of the malpractice or on the date that treatment ends for the condition in question. In some cases involving delayed discovery of the injury, this period may be extended.

Claims Against New York City Entities

Lawsuits against New York City entities have additional filing timelines. First, there is a strict 90-day deadline for filing a Notice of Claim. Then, any lawsuit must be filed within 1 year and 90 days of the incident. This rule applies to cases involving state or municipal liability, such as accidents on public property or involving government vehicles.

The Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm has a skilled team of attorneys who understand the complexity of Notice of Claim deadlines and will go above and beyond for you. Attorneys Eli Fuchsberg and Celena Gonzalez secured the right to file a late Notice of Claim against New York City Health and Hospitals corporation (NYCHHC) which serves as an important precedent for those seeking to bring claims against the New York City government entities and its counterparts.