Durham Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Durham, NC

Catastrophic injuries can occur to anyone at any time. Often, they have a long-term impact on the victim’s future quality of life and how they live. If you or someone you know has suffered from such an experience, you may benefit from the services of a Durham catastrophic injury lawyer.

An Overview of Catastrophic Injuries in Durham, North Carolina

When you hire a Durham catastrophic injury lawyer from the Law Office of Jacob Goad, you can get a skilled legal advocate who can navigate the complex world of legal terminology, procedures, and protocol on your behalf. This frees you up to focus on your health while your lawyer handles your case. Working with a Durham Personal Injury Lawyer can make this process significantly less stressful.

Before you go looking for one, however, it can be beneficial to learn more about what North Carolina considers a catastrophic injury, how they can be caused, and why hiring the right lawyer can be a crucial step toward getting the compensation you both need and deserve.

Common Characteristics of Catastrophic Injuries

Simply put, a catastrophic injury is the term used to describe any severe, life-altering injury or trauma that a victim may have sustained. It typically results in the victim being permanently disabled, often facing a future full of expensive medical procedures, potentially futile attempts for rehabilitation, and a strong likelihood of needing lifelong support.

These kinds of injuries can have an ongoing impact on more than just the victim’s body, such as their quality of life, emotional stability, and future goals. Some of the common but lesser-known consequences of a catastrophic injury include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Loss of income
• Financial troubles
• Potential job loss
• A reduced quality of life

Common Examples of Catastrophic Injuries

Several kinds of injuries are typically categorized as catastrophic injuries, including the following examples:

• Amputations. More than 2.3 million Americans are currently dealing with the loss of a limb. Losing part of or a whole limb can greatly impact the day-to-day lives of these victims, reinforcing it as one of the many kinds of catastrophic injuries one can experience.
• Internal organ damage. Any harm to internal organs may not be immediately apparent. When left untreated, these wounds can often be fatal.
• Loss of hearing or sight. When a victim loses their hearing and/or sight, it can greatly impact how they live their life moving forward. This can happen in a variety of ways, such as no longer being able to perform certain parts of their job, needing to “re-learn” how to do everything, and spending money to acquire all the tools that may prove necessary for accomplishing everyday tasks.
• Severe burns. Second- and third-degree burns are both examples of a catastrophic injury. This can greatly impact a person’s finances and self-esteem. In more severe cases, it can lead to permanent damage or even fatalities.
• Spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries, or “SCI” as they are commonly abbreviated to, can result in the victim experiencing different kinds of paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. This can greatly impact one’s quality of life, and it will increase their need for lifelong tools and support moving forward.
• Traumatic brain injuries. With roughly 214,110 traumatic brain injury-related hospitalizations during 2020 in the United States alone, traumatic brain injuries, or “TBIs,” are an unfortunately common variety of catastrophic injury.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

In 2024, the third-highest cause of death in the United States was unintentional accidents. Roughly 86% of these deaths were caused by poisoning, car accidents, and falls. Many potential circumstances can result in a catastrophic injury, including the following examples:

• Athletic injuries, such as diving complications or injuries from high-impact sports
• Falling from great heights at work or anywhere else
• Fires and/or explosions due to faulty machinery or accidents
• Medical malpractice during any part of your medical process
• Motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle and truck accidents, Motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle and truck accidents
• Workplace injuries, such as slips and falls, crushing accidents, and more

Hire a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Durham, North Carolina

You can experience many benefits when you choose to hire a catastrophic injury lawyer in Durham, NC. Firstly, you will no longer need to champion your own case. Your Durham catastrophic injury attorney can advocate on your behalf; they can use their background in catastrophic injury laws to develop and implement strategies that can get you financial compensation.

Secondly, should your case require the additional involvement of the North Carolina civil court system, your lawyer can sort out scheduling at the Durham County Courthouse.

While you might settle out of court, it is always helpful to be prepared. Regardless of where your case is carried out, having the additional support, guidance, knowledge, and skill of your Durham catastrophic injury lawyer can prevent the additional stress and confusion you may have otherwise been subjected to.

FAQs

What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, a catastrophic injury can be described as any severe, life-altering injury that leads to a victim experiencing:

• Permanent disability
• The loss of previous functionality
• In severe cases, even passing away

These injuries typically require:

• Extensive medical treatments
• Attempts at rehabilitation
• Relearning and/or adjusting how they handle everyday tasks
• The need for additional lifelong support

Examples include:

• Severe burns
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputations (both partial and full)
• Traumatic brain injuries

Can I Get Compensation for the Trauma I Have Experienced Because of My Catastrophic Injury?

Yes, it is completely within your rights to pursue financial compensation for the trauma and emotional distress you have suffered from your catastrophic injury. In North Carolina, this can include, but is not limited to:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of consortium
• Ongoing pain and suffering

How Long Will My Catastrophic Injury Case Take to Finalize in North Carolina?

The amount of time each catastrophic injury case needs to finalize tends to vary based on a variety of circumstantial variables. These can include:

• The availability of all parties involved
• The complexity of your case
• Whether you have legal representation
• Should the need arise, the schedule of your local branch of the North Carolina civil court system

Can I Represent Myself in My Catastrophic Injury Claim in North Carolina?

Yes, it is perfectly legal for you to represent yourself in your catastrophic injury case in North Carolina, but many individuals have found that hiring a catastrophic injury lawyer can improve the odds of success. A knowledgeable attorney can also bring clarity to your case and reduce confusion. You have already suffered enough, and letting a lawyer manage your case can take added stress out of your life. That way, you can focus on your health.

Choose the Law Office of Jacob Goad

Since opening its doors, the Law Office of Jacob Goad has prioritized every client, including those with catastrophic injury claims. Jacob Goad and his legal team have dedicated their time to helping the victims of a wide variety of personal injury claims. For over a decade, they have tailored their knowledge, resources, and approach to every client who sought help. Just like those who came before you, pursuing justice and compensation can start to feel possible with our aid.

Contact the Law Office of Jacob Goad today to schedule a consultation in English or Spanish. Let us pursue the compensation you deserve for your catastrophic injury case.