Oakville Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

All injuries aren’t created equal. Some are more severe than others and much more difficult to overcome. They create challenges that make daily life and work nearly impossible. 

When this occurs, an Oakville catastrophic injury lawyer is even more important to have by your side helping you each step of the way. Consulting a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer in Oakville can review the situation and pursue a case with the right amount of compensation.

How a Catastrophic Injury Is Defined

A catastrophic injury is not a simple injury that can heal easily with limited intervention. Instead, it is an injury that creates an impact large enough that the victim may never fully recover. Some catastrophic injuries aren’t permanent, but they do require a great deal of medical care and intervention for victims to heal.

Examples of catastrophic injuries include severe spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, or paralysis. Others include injuries that impact the nervous, respiratory, reproductive, gastrointestinal, or circulatory systems. Other examples can include loss of a limb, severe burns, or injuries that cause sight loss. Such injuries can interfere with the victim’s ability to work and function in daily life.  

What to Do After a Catastrophic Injury

When a catastrophic injury occurs, there are a few steps to take. In some cases, the injury is too severe for the victim to make any moves, though. As such, other present parties, friends, or family members might need to follow the steps on behalf of the victim.

1. Get to Safety and Call Emergency Services

Catastrophic injuries can occur through a variety of incidents. These include vehicular accidents, fires, and workplace accidents. The first step to take immediately after such an incident is to get to safety if the victim can move. 

If a vehicular accident has occurred, for example, involved parties need to get out of the road as quickly as possible to prevent any further incidents. Try to check on other involved parties, too, if possible.

Then, call 911 to report the incident, giving them as much information as possible. Be clear that emergency medical services are needed. Victims of catastrophic injuries may be unable to handle this step but should try to communicate information with someone else at the scene.

2. Get Medical Attention

Injuries are not always apparent immediately after an incident occurs. Often, the body and mind are in shock, making the victim unable to process pain or other symptoms. Going to the emergency room immediately after the incident is important, but that trip will not likely expose everything.

Instead, victims of catastrophic incidents should always seek medical care in the days and weeks following. As the shock and tension of the incident wear off, pain and symptoms will become more obvious. Seeking care regularly and often is one of the most effective ways to treat or minimize the effects of an injury.

3. File a Report

It’s essential to file a report of the incident, though where to file depends on where the injury occurs. If it’s a vehicular accident, fire, or similar incident, it needs to be reported to the police. If it’s a workplace incident, there is typically a specific party to report it to. In either case, reporting the incident immediately and in as much detail as possible is important.

4. Gather All Evidence

Quality evidence is essential to file a claim successfully. This evidence should include all reports, medical documents, and any pictures taken of the scene. If possible, it’s always wise to keep clothing worn during the incident and items that might have been damaged. 

For instance, if a phone or piece of jewelry is broken or crushed, keeping it can act as further proof can further strengthen a claim.

5. Speak to a Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Oakville

If a catastrophic injury occurs due to someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or intent, it’s imperative to speak to an Oakville catastrophic injury attorney. Such parties specialize in severe injuries that impact an individual’s and their family’s lives and can help achieve a desirable result in a claim.

How a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Can Help

An Oakville catastrophic injury lawyer knows the ropes of filing a catastrophic injury claim and improves the chances of success. It also helps to take a heavy burden off of the victim, as a lawyer can manage multiple steps of the process. One of the first is ensuring that the victim has a claim, which can prevent a waste of time and energy.

Another area a catastrophic injury lawyer can help is by gathering the necessary documentation and evidence. They can collect all incident reports, medical proof and bills, information about wages lost due to the injury, and more. They can also gather evidence about emotional trauma and necessary counseling expenses.

Additionally, a catastrophic injury lawyer can advocate on the victim’s behalf to ensure proper compensation. They negotiate with all parties involved so that the victim can focus on recovering instead of laboring over the claims process.

Common Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries

Compensation for catastrophic injuries often averages anywhere from $20,000 to $75,000. However, the amount a victim is awarded depends on several factors, including the impact of the injury. Catastrophic injuries typically prevent the victim from working either permanently or for an extended period. 

They also usually require ongoing medical care. The more extensive the injury and the greater the impact, the higher the potential compensation can be.

The other key factors include the quality of the evidence provided and the other party’s level of liability. This is where a quality catastrophic injury lawyer comes into play. Their knowledge and expertise can help prove negligence and ensure the victim has essential evidence to support their claim. It can mean the difference between a few thousand dollars in compensation and hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Contact an Oakville Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today

Victims of a catastrophic injury need a skilled and experienced Oakville catastrophic injury lawyer on their side. Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC has represented clients for over 50 years. Our team is dedicated to providing victims and their families with the best possible results. Call to schedule a consultation today.