Any injury can change your life, but some injuries have a much more profound impact on your health, happiness, and future abilities. The most severe and permanent injuries that you can suffer are often called catastrophic injuries because of the great damage they cause.
If you experience a catastrophic injury in Florida, you have legal rights. In fact, you may be able to recover a very substantial amount of compensation if someone else was to blame for the great harm that you endured.
You need to make sure you have the right legal representation in these situations, though, as insurance companies often do not want to pay for the tremendous loss a catastrophic injury can cause. Diaco Law has represented many clients whose severe injuries changed their lives, and we can bring our experience to your case to help you get justice.
Contact a Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer today to find out more about the assistance we can offer in these tragic situations.
What is a catastrophic injury?
The term catastrophic injury can be used broadly to refer to any severe or life-changing injury. However, Florida Code Section 766.118 also defines catastrophic injury to include permanent damage such as:
- Spinal cord injuries that cause severe paralysis of your trunk, or your arms and legs
- Amputation of certain body parts that cause the loss of the effective use of the part, including arms, hands, feet, or legs
- Closed head injuries or severe brain damage that cause sensory, motor, or communication disturbances or otherwise interfere with cerebral function
- Second or third degree burns that cover 25% or more of your total body surface, or third degree burns covering 5% or more of your hands or face
- Complete and total vision loss that results in blindness
- Losing reproductive organs so you cannot have children
Your rights when you suffer a catastrophic injury
When you experience a catastrophic injury, the person or entity responsible for causing it should compensate you for the severe and permanent damage that will forever change your life.
You have the right to make a personal injury claim after experiencing this type of injury if anyone else was at least 51% to blame for what happened to you. This is generally true even in auto accident claims because, while Florida’s no-fault laws require you to go through your own insurance for minor injuries, you can take legal action against the at-fault driver for catastrophic ones.
It will be up to you to:
- Identify the defendants responsible for your injuries
- Prove the extent of your damage using medical records, witness testimony, and expert testimony
- Negotiate a settlement or prove your claim in court, and show that the defendant should be liable for compensating you.
Diaco Law can help you with all of these tasks and more. We have decades of experience representing clients with catastrophic injuries, and we are ready to put our legal knowledge to work for you.
Getting Help from a Tampa Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Since catastrophic injuries affect your ability to work and to maintain your quality of life, you can often receive significant compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress if you experience one.
Let Diaco Law help you fight for the full payment you deserve so you can get justice. Give us a call today at (813) 221-7978 or online to schedule your free consultation and learn how our compassionate and knowledgeable team can work for you in these complex claims.