Did you or a loved one suffer a catastrophic injury in St. Louis, MO? If the injury wasn’t your fault, an experienced St. Louis catastrophic injury lawyer at Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers can help you fight for full compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and your suffering.
Collectively, our attorneys have over 30 years of experience representing clients in complex personal injury cases. We’ve worked hard and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for accident victims and their families.
Call our law offices in St. Louis, Missouri to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer who can help you maximize your financial recovery. Or call directly at 636-519-0085.
How Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers Can Help With a Catastrophic Injury Claim in St. Louis, MO
Catastrophic injuries can happen in an instant. One moment, you’re fine, and the next, you’re facing an incredibly uncertain future. The stress you’re feeling can be overwhelming, to say the least.
If someone else was responsible, you deserve to hold them accountable. An experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyer can pursue financial compensation on your behalf.
Our team at Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers takes a client-centric approach in every case. We’ve earned a perfect 10 Avvo rating and an A+ BBB rating for our legal services.
When you hire us, we’ll stand up for your rights by:
- Assessing the value of your case
- Retaining experts to testify about complex aspects of your claim
- Protecting you if you’re blamed for your injuries
- Handling the paperwork and insurance communications
- Negotiating for a full and fair settlement
- Preparing your case and taking it to trial if necessary
You can count on our St. Louis personal injury attorneys when you need help the most. From filing the claim with insurance to pursuing justice in court, we’ll be by your side. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn more.
Catastrophic Injuries: An Overview
There isn’t one standard definition of the term “catastrophic injury.” Instead, the term refers more broadly to a type of injury that fundamentally changes a victim’s life. These are the most severe types of injury an individual can suffer.
Catastrophic injury victims don’t have to satisfy any specific criteria to prove the injury was catastrophic.
However, there are some factors that can make an injury catastrophic, including:
- Loss of the ability to perform any gainful work and earn a living
- A need for around-the-clock or lifetime care
- Permanent impairments or disability
- A need to make fundamental lifestyle changes
- Reduced quality of life
Unfortunately, many victims never make a complete recovery. Catastrophic injury cases are also unique because it can take months to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). Until you’ve reached MMI, it can be impossible to understand the value of your personal injury case if someone else caused the injury.
We Handle All Types of Catastrophic Injury Claims in St. Louis
It’s possible for any type of injury to be considered catastrophic if it’s severe enough. However, some injuries are more likely to cause catastrophic damage.
Examples of the types of injuries that tend to be considered “catastrophic” include:
- Traumatic brain injuries that cause brain damage
- Spinal cord injuries that lead to paralysis
- Chest injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Severe burns
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Multiple broken bones
- Stroke resulting in significant impairments
- Severe birth injuries
Our lawyers know that you may be facing an uphill battle to recover. We also know how important it is to have financial resources to cover treatment costs and other expenses. If another party was responsible for your injuries, we’re here to help in any way we can. Contact us today to arrange a free case review.
What Are Some Possible Long-Term Consequences of a Catastrophic Injury?
Catastrophic injuries often leave victims suffering through a wide range of long-term damage. The exact consequences you face will depend on your unique situation.
Some common challenges created by a catastrophic injury include:
- Extensive and painful surgeries and medical treatments
- Loss of the ability to work and earn a living
- Reduced life expectancy
- Permanent loss of your ability to enjoy the activities you engaged in prior to the disability
- Damage to personal relationships
- Loss of the ability to parent a child or meaningfully participate in your family’s life
- Severe depression
- Cognitive disabilities
- Personality changes
- Lost mobility
- Medication dependency
- A need for prosthetics and medical devices
- Long-term care needs
- Home and vehicle modifications
These are also the types of challenges that can lead to serious financial hardship. While our lawyers can’t turn back the clock and prevent the injury, we can fight to make sure you’re fully compensated. Money can make a world of difference when you’re dealing with life-altering injuries.
What Causes Most Catastrophic Injuries in St. Louis?
Any type of traumatic accident or incident can leave you with catastrophic injuries. In seconds, something as simple as a slip and fall or motor vehicle accident can fundamentally change your future.
At Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers, we handle all types of catastrophic injury cases, including those involving:
- Car accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dangerous property conditions (premises liability)
- Firearm violence and assault
- Exposure to harmful, toxic chemicals and substances
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Accidents involving large trucks and 18-wheelers
- Bus accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Boating accidents
- Swimming pool accidents and drowning
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Dog bites
- Defective products (product liability)
- Medical malpractice
As the victim, it’s your responsibility to identify both the cause of your injury and the liable party. That’s the only way to recover compensation for your losses. Most of the time that means proving that someone was negligent and you were harmed because of it. However, many different legal theories can be involved in your case.
Our experienced St. Louis catastrophic injury attorneys have the tools and skills to find the evidence you need. We’re committed to protecting your interests in any way we can. To learn more about how a lawyer can help, call our law firm in St. Louis for a free case evaluation today.
What Is My St. Louis Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?
Generally speaking, the damages you recover should make you “whole” again after an accident and injury. If you’re dealing with catastrophic injuries, that can seem impossible. You may wonder how you can even begin to understand how your future will change because of this injury.
While it can take some time to understand how much your personal injury case is worth, here are some factors that must be considered during the valuation process:
- Your age, life expectancy, and earnings history prior to the injury
- Your current medical treatment costs and expenses
- Expected future medical costs, rehabilitation needs, and the types of assistance you will require
- How you participated in your family and home life prior to the injury
- Increased personal costs, including the need to hire childcare or in-home assistance
- The physical pain and mental trauma you have suffered
You’ve probably never been in this situation before. Consulting an experienced lawyer is the best way to make sure you’re getting every available dollar. Your lawyer’s skill is critical to recovering a full settlement. Without a respected attorney in your corner, you risk letting the insurance company take advantage of you.
What Types of Compensation Can Victims Recover for Catastrophic Injuries in St. Louis, Missouri?
Your financial award should include compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate for the expenses created by your injury, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- In-home care
- Long-term care
- Nursing assistance
- Lost future earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Mental health care
Non-economic damages represent the types of losses that money can never really erase.
Some potential examples include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and trauma
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Humiliation and shame
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of your independence
- Reduced life expectancy
- Loss of fertility
- Loss of consortium
Catastrophic injuries always have the potential to be fatal. If you lost a loved one, you may deserve compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of your loved one’s company.
How Long Do I Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit in Missouri?
A five-year statute of limitations applies in most Missouri personal injury cases. Even if your injuries are severe, you have a five-year period to sue the at-fault party for damages. Once five years pass, the right to recover compensation disappears entirely.
Like any rule, there are some exceptions, but they are rare. If you have questions about the deadline in your case, consulting an experienced attorney is the best way to get answers.
Contact a Trusted St. Louis Catastrophic Injury Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
If you suffered a catastrophic injury, it’s likely that you never pictured yourself in this situation. At Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers, we know how to help with every aspect of your legal claim. Call today for a free consultation with an experienced St. Louis catastrophic injury lawyer.
