Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in Queens, NY

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury is a severe injury that typically results in long-term or permanent disability, significantly impacting a person's ability to work and enjoy life. They usually require extensive medical treatment, ongoing care, and substantial lifestyle changes, having a profound impact on the victim's life.

How Our Queens Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Can Help

Navigating the aftermath of a catastrophic injury can be overwhelming. Here's how our catastrophic injury lawyers can assist you:

• Thorough investigation: We comprehensively investigate your accident, gathering crucial evidence to build a strong case.
• Professional evaluation of damages: We work with medical professionals, life care planners, and economists to accurately assess the full extent of your losses.
• Skilled negotiation: We handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies, advocating for fair compensation that reflects the true cost of your injuries.
• Litigation experience: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our team is prepared to take your case to trial.
• Personalized support: We provide personalized attention, taking the time to understand your specific situation and goals.

When you choose the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Firm, you're gaining access to dedicated advocates who are committed to fighting for your rights and your future.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries can occur in various ways and in all manner of settings. Here are some of the most frequent causes of catastrophic injuries that we see in Queens:

• Medical malpractice: Surgical mistakes, errors in diagnosis, or improper treatment can result in catastrophic outcomes.
• Construction accidents: Falls from heights, crane accidents, and incidents involving heavy machinery can lead to severe, life-altering injuries.
• Workplace accidents: Workers may get injured due to falls, equipment malfunctions, and exposure to hazardous materials. Often, workers' comp is not sufficient to cover the extensive losses in catastrophic injury cases, making third-party claims essential.
• Pedestrian accidents: Many residents rely on walking in Queens, making devastating pedestrian accidents unfortunately common.
• Slip and fall accidents: Poorly maintained buildings and public spaces can contribute to slips and falls that lead to severe injuries.
• Motor vehicle accidents: High-speed collisions, truck accidents, and motorcycle crashes often result in catastrophic injuries.

These are just the most common scenarios — unfortunately, catastrophic injuries can occur in almost any kind of accident.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries We Handle

Here are some of the most common types of catastrophic injuries that we see in our practice:

Birth Injury

Birth injuries can result in lifelong disabilities and require extensive ongoing medical care. We fight to ensure families have the resources needed to provide proper care for children affected by birth injuries.

Amputations

The loss of a limb or extremity can be physically and emotionally traumatic, impacting a person's mobility and daily life. The victim may require prosthetic limbs, therapy, and significant lifestyle adjustments, but even these measures aren’t enough to fully restore their capabilities.

Severe Burns

Severe burns cause extensive tissue and nerve damage, often requiring extensive skin grafts and reconstructive surgeries. These wounds not only lead to physical limitations but can also carry a profound emotional toll due to visible scarring.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Severe brain injuries can often result in cognitive impairments, memory loss, and emotional changes. These injuries frequently require long-term rehabilitation and may permanently affect a person's ability to work or lead an independent life.

Paralysis

When trauma or medical negligence results in paralysis, victims lose their ability to control movement in affected parts of their body. Whether it's paraplegia (lower body) or quadriplegia (all four limbs), these life-altering conditions require substantial compensation to cover lifelong care, medical equipment, and home modifications for accessibility.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to severe neurological damage, chronic pain, and loss of sensory function, depending on the injury's location and severity. These injuries often require extensive rehabilitation, ongoing medical treatment, and may result in permanent disability affecting multiple body systems.

Organ Damage

Damage to organs like the lungs, kidneys, or liver often requires extensive medical treatments and potential transplants. Even after the victim has recovered, they often face a lasting impact on their overall health and well-being.

Severe Neurological Disorders

Conditions such as epilepsy or motor function disorders that arise from medical malpractice or a catastrophic injury can lead to impaired coordination, speech, and cognition. These disorders require intensive care and may permanently alter a person’s ability to function.

Loss of Sight

The loss of sight drastically affects a person’s ability to perform daily tasks and enjoy their life. Rehabilitation and adaptive training are usually necessary to help the victim cope with their impairment, but their lost senses are rarely fully restored.

Wrongful Death

When negligence or misconduct leads to the loss of a loved one, we help families pursue justice and compensation for their devastating loss. These cases require special handling to account for both the emotional and financial impact on surviving family members.

What to Do If You've Been Severely Injured in Queens, NY

If you've suffered a catastrophic injury in Queens, NY, taking the right steps immediately after the incident can be essential to preserve your health and your legal rights. Some of these steps may not be possible, given how crippling these injuries can be, but it’s important to do what you can.

• Seek immediate medical attention: Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room, even if you think your injuries are minor.
• Report the incident: Ensure a proper report is filed, whether it's a police report for a traffic accident or an incident report for workplace injuries.
• Document everything: Take photos, get witness contact information, and keep all medical records and bills.
• Do not admit fault: Be careful not to acknowledge any fault for the incident, whether it’s in person or on social media.
• Follow your medical provider’s advice: Attend all follow-up appointments and carefully follow your doctor's treatment plan.
• Be cautious with insurance adjusters: Don't sign any documents or accept settlement offers without legal advice.
• Contact a Queens catastrophic injury attorney: Reach out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and start building your case.

While the aftermath of a severe injury can be overwhelming, taking these steps allows you to protect your rights.

Damages You Can Recover After a Catastrophic Injury

If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you might be able to recover various types of damages:

• Medical expenses: Current and future medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and expenses for assistive devices.
• Lost income: Compensation for current lost wages and the loss of future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering: For physical pain and emotional distress resulting from your injuries.
• Permanent disability or disfigurement: Compensation for long-term physical limitations or visible scarring.
• Home care and living expenses: Costs for necessary in-home care and home modifications.
• Loss of consortium: Compensation for your injury’s impact on your relationship with your spouse.

The specific damages you may be eligible for will depend on the circumstances of your case. Our Queens catastrophic injury lawyers can help you identify and pursue all damages you're entitled to, ensuring that your compensation reflects the full impact of your injuries on your life.

Statute of Limitations for Catastrophic Injury Cases in Queens, NY

In New York, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is three years from the date of the injury. If the injury was caused by medical malpractice, the deadline to file is two and a half years from the date of the incident or from the end of continuous treatment.

If your injury involves a government entity, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days and then file a lawsuit within 1 year and 90 days.

Because your deadline may vary, it's vital to consult with a Queens catastrophic injury attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Failing to file your claim within these time limits can result in you losing your right to seek compensation.