Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Georgia

Life-changing injuries can occur in an instant. Sometimes, a simple fall can change a person’s life. Car accidents can drastically change a person’s hopes for the future. Fires, medical malpractice injuries, diving accidents, and so many other incidents can happen without warning, leaving you suffering both physically and financially. 

Catastrophic injuries like brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, and severe burns are a tragic reality for too many Georgians.

As you focus on your healing, the last thing you should have to worry about is building a legal case. However, if your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you deserve a chance to get financial relief and justice.

A catastrophic injury is one that will impact your quality of life for the rest of your life. It also affects your ability to earn a living. People who act negligently can be held responsible for the damages they caused through their actions—if the victim files a catastrophic injury lawsuit. 

The Scott Pryor Law Group is proud to represent Georgia’s catastrophic injury victims in their pursuit of justice. No matter where your accident occurred in Georgia, our team of experienced catastrophic injury attorneys is ready to help you. 

• What is a catastrophic injury? 
  • How to determine eligibility for a catastrophic injury case 
• Types of compensation available after a Georgia catastrophic injury
  • Types of economic damages 
  • Types of non-economic damages 
• Common causes of catastrophic injuries 
• Catastrophic Injuries FAQ
  • When is the best time to file a claim? 
  • What happens if I am partially to blame for the accident that caused my catastrophic injuries?
  • How do catastrophic injury lawyers prove fault? 
  • How much does it cost to file a catastrophic injury claim in Georgia? 
• Georgia’s top catastrophic injury attorneys can be found at The Scott Pryor Law Group

What is a catastrophic injury?

The best way to understand what sets catastrophic injuries apart from other injuries is severity. Catastrophic injuries require lifelong care and almost always leave the victim with permanent disability. 

Catastrophic injuries include: 

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

How to determine eligibility for a catastrophic injury case

The legal definitions of different types of injuries can be confusing, but you don’t have to wonder if your serious injuries are considered catastrophic or not. Instead of feeling uncertain, speak with a Georgia personal injury attorney to get answers to your questions. 

Contact The Scott Pryor Law Group for a free consultation

Types of compensation available after a Georgia catastrophic injury

Victims of catastrophic injury accidents seek compensation for several important reasons, including: 

• Alleviating financial strain from expensive medical bills and lost income
• Seeking justice and accountability from responsible parties
• Achieving long-term financial security for themselves and their families
• Preventing similar accidents from happening to others by holding others responsible
• Getting compensation for dramatic quality-of-life changes
• Getting closure and moving forward with their physical and psychological recovery 
• Supporting family members who must become full-time caregivers 

There are two types of compensation that help people accomplish these goals: economic and non-economic damages. 

Economic damages include anything that is financially measurable, such as medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of a caregiver. 

Non-economic damages may not have an inherent financial value, but they still represent personal costs like pain, suffering, and loss of consortium. 

Throughout your catastrophic injury case, your attorney will make a strong case that explains all of the damages you have suffered because of your injuries. In fact, one of the main roles of a personal injury attorney is to identify the damages that may be available, and then make a strong case for why you deserve them. 

Types of economic damages

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

Types of non-economic damages

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

Common causes of catastrophic injuries

Accidents occur in Georgia every day. Catastrophic injuries are tragic, but they can occur anywhere, including in our state’s cities, towns, rural areas, and natural environments, including state parks, wilderness areas, forests, and recreational spaces.

Common causes of catastrophic accidents in Georgia include:

• Motor vehicle accidents (including car crashes, 18-wheeler collisions, and motorcycle wrecks)
• Construction site accidents
• Industrial workplace accidents
• Slip and fall accidents on hazardous premises
• Defective product accidents
• Recreational vehicle accidents (including ATVs and boats)
• Swimming pool and diving accidents
• Sports and recreational activity accidents
• Acts of violence and negligent security incidents
• Chemical exposure and toxic substance accidents
• Equipment malfunction accidents
• Electrical accidents
• Fire and explosion incidents
• Agricultural and farming accidents
• Medical malpractice injuries 

This list is not comprehensive, so even if your accident type is not listed here, you can still contact The Scott Pryor Law Group to discuss your injuries. 

Even if you don’t see your particular accident listed above, we encourage you to contact The Scott Pryor Law Group. Our Atlanta catastrophic injury lawyers know what a significant impact your injuries and ongoing medical treatment have on your life.

We realize that this may be the most difficult thing you’ve ever gone through. We want to offer sound legal guidance, support, and empathy while we help you fight to obtain the compensation you need to start living your life again.

Catastrophic Injuries FAQ

When is the best time to file a claim?

The sooner, the better.

Georgia’s statute of limitations generally allows victims to file a claim within two years from the date of the accident. Waiting longer than two years may lead to forfeiting your right to compensation. 

However, there are some circumstances that may give you extra time. For example, the statute of limitations for an injured minor doesn’t start until their 18th birthday, which means that minors may be able to sue several years after their injuries took place.

For a wrongful death claim, certain family members can file a claim up to two years from the date of the victim’s death. This is true even if the accident occurred years earlier.  

An experienced catastrophic injury attorney will understand all of the ins and outs of the statute of limitations. They will be able to identify potential exceptions to the statute of limitations that you are not aware of. Even so, it is best to contact an attorney early, rather than waiting and hoping your case still has a chance. 

You may contact a personal injury attorney immediately after the accident. Even if you decide not to pursue a claim, meeting with a Georgia attorney for a free consultation will help you understand your options. 

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

How do catastrophic injury lawyers prove fault?

One of the most important responsibilities of a personal injury attorney, including catastrophic injury lawyers, is to prove who was responsible. We build a legal case upon the facts, demonstrating to the other party or the court that the responsible party (or parties) should pay damages. 

We do this by proving that all four requirements for fault are true: 

1. The other party had a duty of care to you, the victim
2. The other party breached their duty of care through negligent action or inaction
3. That breach of duty caused your injuries
4. Those injuries led to economic damages 

Each step in the process requires a great deal of research and investigation. During the process, your attorney will: 

• Collect evidence from the scene of the accident, including videos and photos
• Interview eyewitnesses
• Gather official documents such as police reports and medical files
• Hire expert witnesses as necessary
• File court documents 
• Negotiate with the other party’s insurance company
• Create a comprehensive list of damages you have suffered

Instead of trying to do all of this on your own, while suffering from catastrophic injuries, let an experienced and knowledgeable injury attorney work on your behalf. You can focus on your health and well-being while your attorneys protect your interests and fight for justice. 

No one else will fight for your rights like The Scott Pryor Law Group. Our team is dedicated to supporting our clients every step of the way. Even though most cases end with a negotiated settlement, we prepare every case to go to trial. 

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

The catastrophic injury attorneys at The Scott Pryor Law Group work on a contingency basis. That means that instead of paying a fee to file a lawsuit, our clients only pay us if we win their claim. Any fees come out of your settlement amount, so you don’t have to put any money toward your lawsuit to get started. 

Georgia’s top catastrophic injury attorneys can be found at The Scott Pryor Law Group

Living with a catastrophic injury creates immense physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Medical expenses can quickly become overwhelming, and lost wages add to the stress. You have probably already realized that the impact extends beyond the injury itself, affecting your entire family’s well-being and future.

Don’t wait to seek help after a catastrophic injury. Our experienced team is ready to evaluate your case through a free consultation. We’ll fight to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your legal options.