Catastrophic Injuries

Each year, thousands of individuals sustain serious and catastrophic injuries in Mississippi and across the country. These types of injuries are life-altering, requiring hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical treatment; and resulting in a debilitating condition that severely impairs victims for the rest of their lives. A catastrophic injury can put major physical, emotional, and financial stress on the injured party and their loved ones. And when the injury is caused by the negligence or reckless actions of another party, those responsible must be held fully accountable.

The seasoned personal injury attorneys at the Gardner Law Firm understand what families go through when a loved one suffers a serious and catastrophic injury. Since 1979, we have been aggressive advocates for injury victims who have been had their lives turned upside down because of another party’s actions or omissions. We have extensive knowledge of this area of the law, and we have a successful track record obtaining full compensation for our clients.

When we accept a case, we go to work immediately to conduct a thorough investigation and gather all the important facts and evidence necessary to prevail at trial. Over the years, we have also formed relationships with reputable professionals in the medical field and other industries, whom we call upon when necessary as expert witnesses. We routinely go up against well-funded adversaries, such as large corporations and insurance companies. Oftentimes, we are able to negotiate a settlement for full and fair compensation, because the other side knows that we are fully prepared to successfully litigate the case. There are times, however, when the other side is not willing to be reasonable. When this occurs, we are ready and able to pursue maximum damages inside the courtroom.

Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries

An injury can be considered “catastrophic” if it resulted in a fatality, or it leaves the victim with a permanent debilitating condition. Some of the most common examples of catastrophic injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): TBI is caused by a severe bump, jolt, or blow to the head. TBI affects each individual differently. In its mildest form, the symptoms can be temporary and only last for a few days or longer. In its more severe forms, the symptoms can last indefinitely.
• Paralysis: Victims of catastrophic injuries often end up paralyzed in certain parts of their body. The paralysis can be partial or full, temporary or permanent, depending on the type of injury.
• Blindness and Deafness: Some accidents can leave an injury victim blind or deaf. Blindness can be caused by excessive light exposure, electrical shock, and blunt head or eye trauma that may result from a serious collision, explosion, fire, or other traumatic events. Deafness can occur because of excessively loud noises and/or head trauma from various types of accidents.
• Loss of Limbs: Some catastrophic accidents can result in the victim losing a limb, such as an arm, leg, hand, foot, finger, or toe. Loss of limbs, also known as amputations, inhibit the ability of victims to perform various functions.
• Severe Internal Injuries: Internal injuries are among the most serious and potentially life-threatening. They can be difficult to detect right away because the victim does not always notice a problem until it has gone on for a while and done more widespread damage. This is one of the major reasons those involved in collisions should be examined right away by a medical professional.
• Severe Fractures: Broken bones often heal over time. However, some fractures never fully heal, leaving the victim with a permanent disability. Severe fractures are most common among the elderly population.
• Wrongful Death: Catastrophic accidents result in thousands of unnecessary deaths each year. When this occurs, the victim’s loved ones deserve to be fully compensated for their losses.

Obtaining Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries in Mississippi

There are several factors that determine the cost of damages suffered by a car accident victim. These include:

• Plaintiff’s age
• Prior work experience
• Educational qualifications
• Extent of injuries
• Impact of injuries on the plaintiff’s life

Victims can recover compensatory damage once liability is assessed. This includes compensation for future medical treatment and lost earning capacity.

Once the victim has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), there will likely be ongoing medical costs to treat the permanent debilitating condition. In addition to the medical bills, victims also typically miss a lot of time from work, and sometimes, they are never able to return to their previous job.

If a catastrophic injury occurs in the workplace, the injury is most likely covered by workers’ compensation. Most Mississippi employers are required to carry workers’ comp insurance, and this would cover medical costs, two-thirds of gross weekly wages, rehabilitation costs, and compensation for a permanent disability.

In cases in which the actions or omissions of the responsible party were especially egregious, punitive damages may be awarded. Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and discourage them and others from similarly egregious behavior in the future.

Speak with a Compassionate South Mississippi Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or someone close to you has sustained a serious and catastrophic injury and it was the fault of another party, you deserve to be fully compensated for your losses. At Gardner Law Firm, we are here to help you recover the damages you are entitled to. Over the past four decades, we have successfully represented countless injury victims in Biloxi, Pascagoula, and all along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, and we are ready to go to work for you.

For a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys, call us today at 228-436-6555. You may also send a secure and confidential message through our online contact form.

We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency basis – you only pay attorney fees if we win your case