Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Augusta

Far too many Georgians have been involved in catastrophic accidents, leaving them with serious and life-changing injuries. Augusta is home to amazing history, nature, culture, and sports, but it’s also the site of horrible accidents every year. 

These accidents, which usually occur without warning, leave victims suffering both physically and financially. Catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and severe burns, can destroy your way of life, as well as your ability to work, travel, and live your life as you planned. 

It is so important to focus on your physical and emotional healing in the aftermath of these injuries. However, people are often forced to deal with extreme financial stress at this time. Not only is emergency and ongoing treatment expensive, but you may have lost the ability to work. It is common for catastrophic injury survivors to have to hire someone to provide care and support, and therapy costs continue to add to the total. 

You shouldn’t have to worry about these things, especially when your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence. A catastrophic injury claim will not take away your pain and suffering, but it can alleviate the financial stress that prevents you from healing. 

At The Scott Pryor Law Group, we represent clients who have been seriously injured in Augusta, Georgia and beyond. Our team of knowledgeable catastrophic injury attorneys is ready to help you in this difficult time. 

• Getting compensation for a catastrophic injury  
  • What are the two main types of damages you can collect after a catastrophic injury? 
• What is a catastrophic injury? 
• Common causes of catastrophic injuries in Augusta 
• Catastrophic Injuries FAQ
  • What happens if I am partially to blame for the accident that caused my catastrophic injuries?
  • When is the best time to file a claim? 
  • What does “prove fault” mean in a catastrophic injury case? 
  • How much does it cost to file a catastrophic injury claim in Georgia? 
• Choose the Augusta catastrophic injury attorneys at The Scott Pryor Law Group 

Getting compensation for a catastrophic injury

Filing a catastrophic injury claim can feel overwhelming, so let’s explore why so many survivors choose to go this route. 

Filing a claim and getting compensation can:

• Alleviate financial strain from medical costs and lost income/earning capacity
• Provide a path to justice and accountability from responsible parties
• Provide financial stability for the victims and their families
• Help prevent similar accidents from happening to others
• Compensate victims for dramatic changes in their quality of life
• Provide opportunities for closure
• Support family members who may need to become full-time caregivers

Everyone’s combination of reasons for seeking compensation are a little bit different from everyone else’s, but this is true for everyone: The best way to get fair compensation for your injuries is to work with an experienced, knowledgeable personal injury attorney who understands both Georgia laws and the pain of catastrophic injury. 

What are the two main types of damages you can collect after a catastrophic injury?

Damages fit into two categories: 

Category 1: Economic Damages

This includes anything that is financially measurable, including: 

• Cost of medical travel and lodging
• Current and future medical expenses
• Educational retraining for new employment
• Home modifications for accessibility
• Household services that must now be hired out
• In-home care and assistance expenses
• Loss of earning capacity
• Lost employment benefits
• Lost wages and income
• Medical supplies and disposable materials
• Medications and pharmaceutical expenses
• Mental health treatment expenses
• Property damage related to the incident
• Prosthetics and orthotics
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Specialized computer or communication equipment
• Transportation costs to medical appointments
• Vehicle modifications for accessibility
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Cost of medical equipment and devices

Category 2: Non-economic Damages

This compensation is for damages that may not have an inherent financial value, but they still represent significant personal costs, including: 

• Physical pain and suffering
• Depression and anxiety
• Diminished quality of life
• Disability or physical impairment
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Embarrassment and humiliation
• Fear and anxiety about the future
• Grief and emotional trauma
• Loss of ability to participate in hobbies and activities
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of independence
• Loss of intimacy and consortium
• Loss of life experiences and opportunities
• Loss of reputation
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Reduced social interaction capabilities
• Sleep disorders and disturbances
• Stress on family relationships

Your attorney will build a strong case that explains all of these damages that apply to you, and others that may not be listed here. To support your case, keep a record of all of your financial costs following the accident. A catastrophic injury attorney in Augusta can use this evidence to build a compelling case for real, meaningful compensation.

What is a catastrophic injury?

Catastrophic injuries require lifelong care, and they almost always leave the victim with permanent disability. They include injuries like: 

• Spine and spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Amputations and deglovings
• Severe burns 
• Crush injuries
• Organ failure due to severe physical trauma

You don’t have to wonder if your injuries are considered catastrophic or not. No matter how severe your injuries are, an Augusta personal injury attorney will be able to help you understand the legal realities of your situation. 

Contact The Scott Pryor Law Group for a free consultation

Common causes of catastrophic injuries in Augusta

Augusta is a thriving city with lots of activity. Unfortunately, accidents happen every day on our roadways and interstates, at our public businesses, and in schools, hospitals, homes, places of worship, and other public and private properties. 

These are some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries in Augusta: 

• Agricultural and farming incidents
• Chemical and toxic substance exposure
• Construction site incidents
• Defective product injuries
• Electrical injury incidents
• Equipment malfunction injuries
• Fire and explosion-related injuries
• Industrial workplace incidents
• Medical malpractice injuries
• Motor vehicle crashes (including cars, 18-wheelers, and motorcycles)
• Negligent security and violent incidents
• Recreational vehicle incidents (including ATVs and watercraft)
• Slip, trip, and fall injuries on hazardous premises
• Sports and recreational activity injuries
• Swimming and diving incidents

Because this is not a comprehensive list, your injuries may have been caused by something else altogether. Regardless, you can speak with an attorney at The Scott Pryor Law Group to discuss the accident that caused your injuries. 

For many of our clients, this catastrophic injury is the most difficult thing they have ever experienced. You can trust us for sound legal advice and empathetic support while we fight on your behalf for fair compensation. 

Catastrophic Injuries FAQ

What happens if I am partially to blame for the accident that caused my catastrophic injuries?

Georgia’s comparative negligence law means that victims can still recover compensation even if they were partially responsible for the accident. However, your settlement or court award will be lowered by the percentage of your responsibility for the accident. 

Georgia does not allow people to recover compensation if they were more than 50% responsible for an accident that caused their injuries. However, if you were 20% responsible for the accident, your compensation total will be reduced by 20%. This keeps things as fair as possible when dividing up responsibility and liability. 

Contact The Scott Pryor Law Group to discuss your options. We can help you understand your portion of liability for the accident and how that could affect your claim. 

Contact The Scott Pryor Law Group for a free consultation

When is the best time to file a claim?

The best time to file a catastrophic injury claim is as close to the accident as possible. The earlier that we can get started, the easier it is to build a comprehensive case. Additionally, you need to avoid trying to file outside of the state’s statute of limitations. 

In general, Georgia allows catastrophic injury victims to file a claim within two years of the date of the accident. When you wait longer than two years, you may forfeit your right to compensation. 

There are some exceptions to this, including: 

• Injured minors can file a claim within 2 years of their 18th birthday
• The discovery rule allows injury victims to file after two years if they did not realize their injuries were caused by the accident; this is not very common for catastrophic injuries, though
• If a deceased person’s loved ones are filing a wrongful death claim, they can file up to two years after the person’s death, no matter how long ago the accident took place 

One of the benefits of contacting a catastrophic injury attorney in Augusta is that they will understand the statute of limitations and any exceptions that may apply to your case. You may not be aware of your options. 

It is still best to contact an attorney as early as possible, rather than waiting and wondering if you could get compensation. Ideally, you will contact an attorney immediately after your accident, even if you do not fully understand the potential scope of your physical, psychological, and financial losses. 

What does “prove fault” mean in a catastrophic injury case?

In any personal injury lawsuit, a lawyer’s responsibility is to prove who was responsible. This is called “proving fault,” and you may hear it used interchangeably with “proving liability” or “proving negligence.” 

When we handle catastrophic injury claims, establishing responsibility is an essential part of securing fair compensation. 

To establish fault in your case, we must demonstrate four requirements: 

1. A duty of care existed between the responsible party and you
2. The responsible party failed to uphold this duty through their actions or the failure to act appropriately
3. Their failure directly resulted in your injuries
4. You suffered quantifiable losses as a result

Building a strong case requires extensive legal work and dedication. Throughout your case, your legal team will:

• Secure and analyze all available evidence, including surveillance footage and photographs
• Conduct thorough interviews with people who witnessed the incident
• Obtain and review all relevant documentation, from accident reports to medical records
• Consult with and retain qualified expert witnesses when necessary
• Handle all required legal documentation and court filings
• Engage in strategic negotiations with insurance representatives
• Document all damages and losses you have experienced

Instead of trying to navigate these complex legal challenges while you are recovering from your serious injuries, speak with an injury attorney to be your advocate. We can take the burden so you can focus on your recovery. 

Our team at The Scott Pryor Law Group is dedicated to protecting your rights. We stand with you throughout your legal journey and resolve most cases in the settlement process. However, we approach every case as if it were going to trial in case we need to take things beyond negotiations.

How much does it cost to file a catastrophic injury claim in Georgia?

When you work with our catastrophic injury legal team, you won’t face any upfront costs. That is because we operate on a contingency fee arrangement, which means our compensation is tied directly to your success. 

We only receive payment from you if we secure a settlement or verdict in your favor. Our fees are deducted from your final compensation settlement or court award, which eliminates the need for you to pay any expenses out of pocket. 

This approach is the only trustworthy arrangement in personal injury law. It guarantees that everyone can receive quality legal representation after an accident, no matter their financial circumstances. 

Choose the Augusta catastrophic injury attorneys at The Scott Pryor Law Group

We understand that living with catastrophic injuries leads to unthinkable physical, emotional, and financial challenges. When medical expenses become overwhelming and time off work makes it impossible to manage your cost of living, turn to the expert catastrophic injury lawyers at The Scott Pryor Law Group. 
Our team is ready to review your case, answer your questions, and fight for your rights. Contact us today to discuss your legal options.