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Catastrophic injuries are a wide-ranging category of injuries that often result in severe physical harm and can sometimes be permanent. You can sustain a severe injury under incredibly traumatic circumstances that affect you for the rest of your life. At times, the long-lasting symptoms of a devastating injury develop gradually, and you may not immediately know the full extent of your medical or financial burden.
Contacting a Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer can provide valuable information regarding who can be held accountable for your injuries and what compensation you can receive. While you manage recovery after severe harm, let a personal injury attorney handle the rest.
What Constitutes a Catastrophic Injury?
In Tampa, the type of accidents a catastrophic injury lawyer can handle is broad and encompassing. However, many serious injuries commonly meet the criteria, such as:
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Scarring and disfiguration
- Amputation
- Paralysis
- Severe burns
Given the wide variety of injuries that can lead to severe harm, many different accidents can be the cause. These incidents can include medical malpractice, construction site injuries, defective products, and more.
Losses in Catastrophic Injury Cases
Given the severe extent of the injuries, losses in a devastating injury case can be extensive and take many forms. A catastrophic injury attorney in Tampa can help you identify which types of damages may be available.
Damages in a catastrophic injury case can be both economic and non-economic. Some examples of economic damages include medical fees for the original injury, ongoing physical rehabilitation costs, and in-home medical assistance. Many individuals also require substantial home adjustments, such as the installation of assisted mobility devices, to accomplish every day tasks. Additional economic losses can include lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and expenses for mental health counseling. The economic damages that result from a severe injury can be lifelong obligations.
Non-economic damages include reimbursement for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, or loss of enjoyment of life. These losses are more challenging to monetize, and an experienced legal representative can estimate appropriate amounts for a specific suit.
Compensation Caps in Severe Injury Claims
Damages vary in a catastrophic injury case and may be categorized as compensatory or punitive. Compensatory damages reimburse individuals for the harm they sustained, while punitive damages are awarded in some severe cases to serve as punishment for the responsible party.
Florida Statutes Annotated § 768.73 establishes an important limit on punitive damages in these cases. This statute limits punitive damages in Florida injury cases to either three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded or $500,000, whichever is greater. A lawyer in Tampa can advise you on the potential damages available in your catastrophic injury claim.
Call a Tampa Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today
Catastrophic injuries range widely in symptoms, causes, and extent of harm. The corresponding law can be equally complex. Participating in an initial consultation can prepare you for the realities of litigation. At Mickey Keenan, P.A., we understand that focusing on your physical healing during this time is essential. Contact a Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer today to take the first step toward your emotional and financial recovery as well.