Denville New Jersey Catastrophic Injury Law Firm

Injuries change lives. However, some injuries are much more serious than others. If you have suffered catastrophic injuries in an accident, your life may never be the same. You may not be able to work or enjoy the things you used to love doing. Your injuries may force you to live with lifetime limitations and constant pain. On top of this, you may be facing expensive medical bills.

The Denville catastrophic injury lawyers at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm are committed to helping victims of serious accidents obtain the compensation they need and deserve after suffering life-changing injuries. Our dedicated personal injury lawyers are widely recognized as aggressive advocates on behalf of the injured. Throughout our firm’s history, we have recovered more than $100 million on our clients’ behalf. With our help, you can effectively pursue a claim against even the largest and most powerful insurance companies.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

Catastrophic injuries are the most serious non-fatal injuries someone can sustain in an accident. While there is no universal definition of what constitutes a catastrophic injury, most would agree that those who suffer from a catastrophic injury all share the following in common:

• They are unlikely to recover from their injuries fully;
• They are not likely to be able to work at any point in the future;
• The injuries result in a significant decrease in their quality of life; and
• The injuries are so severe that they may currently, or in the future, need live-in or long-term care.

Below are a few of the most common types of catastrophic injuries:

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can be incredibly serious and may result in severe limitations that last a lifetime. Brain injuries are also prevalent. Across the United States, someone suffers a traumatic brain injury every nine seconds.

Traumatic brain injuries are the most common type of acquired brain injury, meaning they occur after birth. Traumatic brain injuries often result from car accidents, slip and falls, workplace accidents and sports injuries. The symptoms of a brain injury vary widely; however, they can include nausea, dizziness, vision problems, headaches, sensitivity to light, memory loss and emotional changes, such as the sudden onset of depression or anxiety. Research suggests that brain injuries are cumulative, meaning those who suffered a previous head injury are at greater risk of experiencing severe symptoms.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is the structure responsible for coordinating movement by sending nerve signals from the brain to other parts of the body. When the spinal cord suffers damage, it can result in the limited function of certain body parts and may cause permanent paralysis. According to the most recent estimates, 450,000 people live with a spinal cord injury in the United States, and there are approximately 17,000 newly diagnosed spinal cord injuries each year.

According to the most recent data from the National Spinal Cord Statistical Center, car accidents are the most common cause of spinal injuries. However, falls also account for a large number of spinal cord injuries.

Amputations

An amputation involves losing a body part, usually an arm, leg, finger or toe. Amputation injuries may be caused by the immediate loss of the body part in the accident or as a result of medically necessary intervention to prevent further damage.

It is estimated that there are more than 2 million people across the United States who have had one or more body parts amputated, and there are about 185,000 new amputations every year. The accidents most likely to result in amputation are car accidents and workplace accidents, especially for those who work in factories, with farm equipment, or with power tools.

Severe Burns

Burns are one of the challenging injuries to overcome. Burn victims not only suffer excruciating pain in most situations but may also require amputation of the affected body part. Even if amputation is not required, those who experience severe burn injuries are permanently disfigured.

However, not all burns are catastrophic injuries. Doctors classify burns into categories, ranging from minor first-degree burns to severe sixth-degree burns. Most first-degree burns are treatable at home; however, burns of the second-degree and more serious may require skin grafts. A skin graft is a procedure where doctors remove healthy skin from another part of the body and place it over the affected area. In the most serious burns, an accident victim will not feel any pain because the burn will destroy the nerve-endings underneath the skin.

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we proudly represent clients who suffered catastrophic injuries due to another’s negligence. Regardless of the nature of your injuries, we can help you understand your rights and how to pursue a compensation claim. With over 35 years of experience, we can confidently handle your claim.

Types of Denville Accidents That Can Result in a Catastrophic Injury

Catastrophic injuries are defined by the extent of the injuries and their impact on the accident victim’s life, not by the accident’s cause. However, certain types of accidents are more likely to cause catastrophic injuries. Any of the following accidents may give rise to a Denville catastrophic injury case:

• Car wrecks
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle crashes
• Slip and fall accidents
• Pedestrian collisions
• Bicycle accidents
• Workplace injuries
• Nursing home abuse or neglect
• Birth injuries
• Construction accidents

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we recognize that this is a challenging time for you and your family and want to make the process as easy on you as possible. Once you decide to bring our lawyers on to handle your case, we will take care of everything so you can focus on recovering from your injuries and adjusting to your new way of life.

Damages in Denville Catastrophic Injury Cases

By definition, a catastrophic injury has a profound impact on your life. After suffering a catastrophic injury, your job, family life and health are all impacted. You may not be able to enjoy the things you once did. Life as you once knew it will never be the same. All because someone else was negligent.

If you succeed in bringing a Denville catastrophic injury lawsuit, you may be able to recover significant compensation for what you have been through. While nothing can turn back the hands of time to before the accident, the money you recover can help ensure that you and your family do not suffer financial hardship in addition to everything else you have been forced to confront.

The amount of damages available in a Denville catastrophic injury case vary depending on the nature and extent of your injuries, as well as the culpability of the negligent party. The most common type of damages in catastrophic injury claims are called compensatory damages. Compensatory damages consist of economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are a form of compensatory damages that compensate you for the out-of-pocket expenses you incurred because of the accident. In Denville catastrophic injury cases, these damages can be significant due to the seriousness of the injuries. While every case is unique, and economic damages will vary case-by-case, they generally allow you to recover for the following:

• Past medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation expenses
• Lost wages
• Decrease in future earning capacity
• Caregiver costs
• Costs related to necessary modifications to your home

Non-Economic Damages

Catastrophic injuries take a major toll on your life. After a serious accident, you may no longer be able to live your life the way you planned on living it. Non-economic damages compensate you for the emotional and psychological impact the accident had on your life. Non-economic damages are available in many personal injury lawsuits; however, they are often substantial in Denville catastrophic injury cases.

Of course, accident victims all suffer unique harms after a catastrophic accident. However, in general, non-economic damages allow you to obtain compensation for the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disfigurement
• Disability
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In some cases, punitive damages may also be available. Punitive damages are different from compensatory damages in that they are designed to punish the at-fault party rather than compensate you for your injuries. Thus, punitive damages are relatively rare in Denville personal injury cases and are only available when you can prove by “clear and convincing” evidence that the at-fault party acted intentionally or with a reckless disregard for the dangers of their actions. Under New Jersey law, punitive damages are usually capped at five times the amount of compensatory damages, or $350,000, whichever is greater.

Why Choose the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm for Your Denville Catastrophic Injury Claim?

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we have a track record of success in handling Denville catastrophic injury cases. We believe a large part of our success is the client-centered approach we take in every case. We begin by diligently listening to you about the accident and how it impacted your life. We then answer any questions you have about the process.

Every case is different; however, a few of the results we are most proud of include:

• $29.5 million in a car accident and product liability lawsuit involving a young man who was tragically hit while riding a motorized scooter. Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of the accident, requiring lifelong medical care.

• $3.9 million in a car accident case involving a woman hit by another driver while she was working. As a result of the accident, our client suffered a traumatic brain injury and severe orthopedic injuries, requiring multiple follow-up surgeries.

• $3.5 million in a car accident case involving a young woman hit by a drunk driver while crossing the street. Our client suffered serious injuries, ultimately requiring the amputation of one of her legs.

• $3.1 million in a slip and fall case involving a woman who slipped on ice while de-boarding an airplane. Our client suffered severe back injuries, requiring three surgeries and a cervical fusion.

• $2.9 million in a car accident case involving a woman who lost control of her car due to a defect in the road. As a result of the accident, our client suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Contact the Denville Catastrophic Injury Lawyer at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm for Immediate Assistance

If you have suffered serious injuries due to the negligence of another, contact the Denville catastrophic injury lawyers at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm. We recognize this is an exceptionally difficult time for you and your family and that filing a lawsuit may be the furthest thing from your mind. When you are ready, give us a call. We offer free consultations to all accident victims. There is no risk in calling because we never charge a fee unless we can help you recover compensation for your injuries. To learn more and schedule a free consultation with one of our dedicated Denville catastrophic injury attorneys, give us a call at (973) 920-7900. You can also reach us through our online form.