Oklahoma City Catastrophic Injury Lawyers

Any accident can lead to injury that negatively affects your life. However, some accidents are so severe that the resulting injuries are considered catastrophic. This means you may have suffered permanent physical damage or a disability that has long-term effects on your life.

One of the immense challenges of a catastrophic injury is that the initial and ongoing care is so expensive. Plus, you may be unable to work for months, years, or ever again. If another person caused the accident and your catastrophic injuries, a potential solution is to file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party. You could receive compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost earnings.

Nix Patterson’s Oklahoma City catastrophic injury attorneys have years of proven experience holding negligent parties accountable for the injuries they caused others. If you or your loved one has been devastated by catastrophic injuries caused by someone else, contact one of our catastrophic injury attorneys today.

What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury often happens suddenly, such as in a car or truck accident, and leaves the victim with severe physical injuries. Many catastrophic injuries leave permanent damage, and full recovery is impossible. Unfortunately, devastating injuries usually have life-changing effects on the injured party. Some of the most common devastating injuries in Oklahoma City are:

• Spinal cord damage and paralysis
• Amputation
• Sight loss
• Hearing loss
• Nerve damage
• Birth injury
• Severe organ damage
• Severe burns
• Asbestosis or mesothelioma
• Facial injuries with scarring and disfigurement
• Neurological damage
• Brain injuries

Other possible catastrophic injuries can turn your life upside down. If your injury has a permanent effect or disability, it can be considered catastrophic. With the help of compensation from a personal injury claim, it could be easier to get the medical care you need and survive financially.

Fortunately, the Oklahoma City catastrophic injury attorneys at Nix Patterson are highly experienced in holding negligent parties accountable for their actions. Our attorneys can help you get the money you need for your recovery and life.

Types of Catastrophic Injury Claims in Oklahoma City

Catastrophic injuries are those that permanently limit your ability to enjoy life and perform work as you did before the accident. In Oklahoma City, the most common types of catastrophic injury claims involve car and truck accidents. Truck accidents can be especially catastrophic because of the vehicle’s huge size and weight.

In Oklahoma, there were 5,638 accidents involving commercial trucks in 2019. These truck accidents caused dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

There are many causes of catastrophic injuries in Oklahoma City and across the state. Some of the most common are:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Violent crime
• Fires and explosions
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
• Job-related accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Sports accidents
• Falls
• Product defects

Catastrophic injuries are relatively uncommon, but they devastate the lives of thousands of Americans annually. For instance, more than 17,000 people in the country are affected by spinal cord injuries.

Common Catastrophic Injury Damages

Catastrophic injuries can have a severe impact on your physical and emotional well-being. You could have long-term disabilities that require costly medical intervention and support. If you suffered your catastrophic injuries through no fault of your own, you could be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party.

To determine if you have a possible catastrophic injury claim, the following statements must be true:

• The other party owed you a duty of care, such as to drive safely in Oklahoma City and not injure you.
• The defendant was negligent, for example, by running a traffic light and hitting you in the crosswalk.
• Their negligence caused your catastrophic injuries, such as brain trauma and multiple fractures.
• You suffered damages, such as pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost earnings.

If those statements are true, you could receive these types of general damages in a catastrophic injury claim:

• Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort, mental suffering, and distress caused by your severe injuries.
• Loss of enjoyment of life, such as the inability to walk, run, or swim.
• Facial disfigurement: If your face was scarred or disfigured in the accident, you could receive additional compensation.

You also may qualify for these special damages:

• Past and current medical bills: Expenses directly related to your catastrophic injury could include surgeries, hospital stays, prescription costs, and doctor’s visits.
• Future medical bills: Your attorney and doctor will determine your future medical expenses for additional medical care, rehabilitation, etc.
• Lost earnings: This is pay for earnings you have lost in the past and present.
• Future lost earnings: This is for future income that you will lose because you cannot work or cannot work at the same job you did before.
• Property damage: Pays you for any property losses, such as a totaled vehicle.

Catastrophic injuries usually have a significant impact on someone’s life. That is why having an experienced catastrophic injury attorney at Nix Patterson working with you is vital. Only with an attorney’s help can you fully understand what your claim is worth. Then, your attorney will fight for every dollar in settlement negotiations with the insurance company or in court before a jury.

Oklahoma Comparative Negligence For Catastrophic Injuries

An essential part of many catastrophic injury claims in Oklahoma is the legal concept of comparative negligence. Comparative negligence means each person involved in the accident could be awarded compensation based on their degree of fault for the accident.

Suppose another driver in Oklahoma City rear-ends you at high speed at the intersection of Reno and South Klien. You suffer catastrophic injuries, including a shattered pelvis, feet, and organ damage. Your settlement amount is $500,000, but the defendant argues that your brake lights weren’t working, so the insurance company says you were 25% at fault for the accident.

In this example, your settlement would be only $375,000. But your Nix Patterson attorney will argue on your behalf to obtain the most money possible for your settlement. Keep in mind that if you were 50% or more responsible for the accident, you cannot recover compensation for your catastrophic injuries.

How Is Compensation For a Catastrophic Injury Claim Determined?

Catastrophic injury cases are usually complex and involve a potentially high amount of compensation from the defendant or their insurance company. Your attorney will build the most robust case possible so you get the compensation you’ll need for your recovery.

Some of the evidence that your attorney may use to build your catastrophic injury case include:

• Pictures and videos. Any photos and videos of the accident scene can significantly help build a catastrophic injury claim. If you were in a car accident, it helps to take pictures and video of the accident scene, but you may be too injured to do so. Your attorney may rely on photos and videos from witnesses or possibly from any security video footage available from businesses nearby.
• Medical records. You are only entitled to a high level of compensation if you can prove that you have serious physical injuries caused by another party. Your medical records related to the accident will prove your case. You should work with your doctor to ensure your medical records detail how severe your injuries are and the treatments you received and will receive. The records also should state any long-term effects your injuries will cause.
• Witness statements. Eyewitness testimony is often critical to a catastrophic injury claim. If possible, someone at the accident scene should obtain the contact information and statements from any witnesses.
• Financial information. Most catastrophic injury victims are out of work for months or even permanently. Your attorney will rely on your tax returns, pay stubs, and other employment records to establish your earnings before the injury. This information is vital to show the financial impact the injuries have on your life going forward.

Collecting this evidence of your catastrophic injury claim is essential. Otherwise, you may get less compensation than you need. It’s best to collect this information as soon as you can, and if you can’t, a loved one may be able to assist you.

Speak to a Nix Patterson Oklahoma City Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today

Suffering a catastrophic injury could devastate your health, life, and future. But when another party caused your injuries, you can file a civil lawsuit against them for damages. The Oklahoma City catastrophic injury lawyers at Nix Patterson are standing by to help if another person’s negligence has saddled you with devastating injuries and expenses.

Contact Nix Patterson today for a complimentary and confidential consultation.