If a catastrophic injury was caused by the negligent or intentional act of another, or by a dangerous or defective product, a personal injury claim by the victim will be an integral factor in determining his or her future quality of life, including the quality of the medical care and other support he or she will receive.

The law firm of Gregory A. Yates, P.C., located in Beverly Hills, helps victims of catastrophic injuries throughout southern California receive the money damages they are entitled to.  They can help you as well.  Catastrophic injuries can be caused by almost any accident or deliberate action.  Traumatic brain injuries resulting in cognitive impairment or coma, spinal cord injury resulting in quadriplegia or paraplegia, severe burns, and loss of limbs are just some of the life-altering consequences of another's negligence or purposeful deed.  If you have suffered a catastrophic injury, you deserve compensation for the pain and suffering, economic loss, any unpaid expenses, and any rehabilitation, retraining, or adaptive equipment that is necessary. 

Representing seriously injured people in southern California.
Call today.
(310) 858-6944
Or toll free:  (800) 404-4658

Catastrophic Injuries - An Overview

A catastrophic injury or illness usually occurs suddenly and without warning. Injuries that are considered catastrophic, due to the enormous impact they have on the lives of the individuals who experience them, include the following: brain injury, spinal cord injury, accidental amputation, severe burns, multiple fractures, or other, neurological disorders. A catastrophic injury or illness very often causes severe disruption to the central nervous system, which in turn affects many other systems of the body. In addition to possible loss of movement, sensation, and communicative and cognitive abilities, the injury or illness may impact respiration, circulation, skin, the urinary system, the gastrointestinal system, and other body systems. Management of such an injury is complex and requires the expertise of a team of health professionals including physicians, consultants, nurses, therapists, and counselors. Clearly, the long-term needs of someone who has experienced this type of injury far surpass those of individuals with less severe injuries. Individuals may recover from some catastrophic injuries if they receive proper, early medical treatment; however, others may experience permanent disability, significant suffering, and reduced life spans.

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Who Is Responsible?

Determining who may be responsible for catastrophic injuries can be difficult. There typically is one party directly involved at the scene. However, there may be several other less obvious parties whose conduct played a role in causing your injuries. Catastrophic injuries usually cause the victim to suffer extensive monetary damages, so it is important to identify everyone who may be responsible so that complete justice may be done. An attorney experienced in handling catastrophic injury cases knows how to investigate the facts of a case and to learn the identities of every responsible party.

Any party who bears possible liability for your injuries should be investigated. Every case is, of course, different, and the exact identities of the responsible parties will depend on the facts of your particular case.

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Specific Types of Catastrophic Injuries

There are many common, yet devastating, injuries that necessitate the expertise of an attorney, knowledgeable in catastrophic injury claims, to obtain adequate financial compensation for the injured individual.

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Informed Consent in Cases of Medical Malpractice

If you were injured as the result of a medical procedure or medication, the concept of informed consent will likely arise in any claim for your injuries that you bring against a medical professional. In many situations where medical care or treatment is provided to an individual, medical professionals are required to obtain the patient's "informed consent." Although the specific definition of informed consent may vary from state to state, it means essentially that a physician (or other medical provider) must tell a patient all of the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives involved in any surgical procedure, medical procedure, or other course of treatment, and must obtain the patient's written consent to proceed.

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Motorcycle Accidents: Helmet Laws

A helmet is by far the most important and most effective piece of protective equipment a motorcycle driver or passenger can wear. Helmets save lives by reducing the extent of head injuries in the event of a traffic accident. A helmetless motorcyclist involved in an accident is three times as likely to suffer a brain injury as a motorcyclist wearing a helmet.

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Motorcycle Accidents: Protective Equipment

The best way to avoid bringing a claim for the devastating injuries that can result from a motorcycle accident is to never be injured in a motorcycle accident in the first place. Easier said than done? Well, the bad news is that motorcycle riders involved in accidents face a much greater risk of injury than automobile drivers, and motorcycle riders can never be kept completely safe from injury in an accident. The good news is that developments in protective equipment can make motorcycle riders much safer than in the past, provided they take advantage of those developments.

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Catastrophic Injuries Resource Links

Bureau of Labor Statistics
Features labor data, surveys, publications and more.

CDC Health Topic - Injuries From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Features information on accident causes and prevention, traffic fatalities, drowning, falls, and more.

Division of Quality Assurance - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Links to National Practitioner Data Bank and the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank.

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