Tampa Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Tampa Catastrophic Injury Attorney

Few events in your life can be as overwhelming or traumatizing as dealing with a catastrophic injury. The long-term damage alone can be enough to cause chronic pain for the remainder of your life. Catastrophic injuries can be the result of any number of horrific accidents, such as a drowning or a car accident on US-301. The resulting injuries can cause permanent mental or emotional trauma, on top of the physical pain. A Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer can represent you if such an injury happened due to another’s negligence.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury happens when you suffer an injury that is so severe it causes permanent physical and/or psychological damage, which can be very difficult or even impossible to fully move on from. A catastrophic injury can impact almost every aspect of your life, affecting your employment opportunities, personal relationships, quality of life, and ability to perform basic functions. Often, a full recovery is not possible.

Catastrophic injuries often result in disfigurement, permanent disabilities, brain damage, ongoing impairments, and lifelong medical care. The repercussions can be considerably traumatic. To pursue a personal injury case against the party whose negligence led to your accident, it is vital to prove the existence of that negligence, which can be difficult in some cases. To establish negligence in Tampa, you must prove the following elements:

• You were owed an expected duty of care from the defendant.
• The defendant breached that duty of care through their negligent behavior.
• The breach is what caused your catastrophic injury.
• That injury has caused you to suffer damages.

Statute of Limitations

It is a big decision to choose whether to pursue legal action against the party who caused your injury. If you do ultimately decide that legal action is necessary, it is vital to your case that you adhere to Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including catastrophic injury claims. Generally, you have two years from the date of your injury to start building a strong case, speak with a lawyer, and file.

If you cannot bring your case before two years have passed, there is a strong chance it will be dismissed outright, and you will lose your chance to seek compensatory damages from your accident. It can take a lot of time to build a strong catastrophic injury case, so you should get started quickly. If you are worried your case isn’t strong enough, your lawyer can evaluate it and find ways to strengthen your argument.

Different Types of Catastrophic Injuries

It is important to note that a personal injury becomes a catastrophic one when it results in a permanent disability or long-term damage that will not fully heal. Recovery from such an injury is likely going to be a lifelong process, with no guarantees. Here are three types of injuries that may be considered catastrophic:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, can occur any time you suffer a significant head injury. If you experience a sudden and swift blow to the head, you may be suffering severe damage you are unaware of. A TBI causes irreparable damage to your brain that can affect other bodily functions and cause a multitude of health problems. It can be difficult to recover from any kind of brain injury.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Few injuries can be as devastating to your body as a spinal cord injury. The spinal cord is responsible for relaying messages from the brain and sending them to the rest of your body. If the cord is injured, that relay system can be interrupted, resulting in catastrophic damage to your body, including full or partial paralysis beneath the injured area.
• Burns: Burn injuries can cause extreme pain, deep scarring, and permanent disfigurement. These can happen in industrial settings, restaurant kitchens, and anywhere else with flames or combustible chemicals. Burn injuries can be treated with skin grafts, but severe burn injuries often leave enduring scars and intense mental trauma.

FAQs About Tampa, FL Catastrophic Injury Laws

What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury?

Many different injuries have the potential to be classified as catastrophic injury. It depends entirely on the nature of the accident and how severe your injury is. To be considered catastrophic, the injury must result in permanent disability or ongoing lifestyle changes. The defining characteristic is that these injuries will affect those who suffer them for the foreseeable future.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury in Florida?

A catastrophic injury in Florida is defined as a severe injury that is expected to result in permanent impairment to the victim’s mental or physical abilities. They will usually lead to physical disfigurement, a loss of bodily function, and severe detriment to one’s quality of life. This type of injury tends to be the result of a physically traumatic accident.

What Percentage Do Lawyers Take for a Personal Injury Case in Florida?

How much your lawyer will take as their percentage in your personal injury case in Florida will vary by case. Every lawyer’s fee is going to be different, since every personal injury case they work is different. Generally, personal injury lawyers tend to take cases on a contingency fee basis, so they only get paid if they win your case. They’ll usually take an agreed-upon percentage out of your total settlement package.

How Much Does an Attorney Charge for a Personal Injury Case in Florida?

How much an attorney may charge for a personal injury case in Florida varies from attorney to attorney. Every personal injury case is different, with each case having its own specific details that make it unique. When considering how much your lawyer may charge you for their services, you have to take many different factors into account, including the lawyer’s experience, education, resources, and availability.

Reach Out to an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Today

The Frank Santini Law Firm can pursue your case and advocate for a settlement amount you are comfortable with. We can build up your case, gather evidence that supports it, and keep your interests protected throughout. Contact us to speak with a valued team member about a consultation.