St. Petersburg Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Have you or a family member suffered a catastrophic injury in St. Petersburg, Florida? An experienced St. Petersburg catastrophic injury lawyer at Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys can help you fight to recover the fair compensation you deserve. Call us at (727) 933-0015 to schedule a free consultation.

Since we opened our doors, our lawyers have been working hard to protect the rights of clients who have been seriously injured because of someone else’s negligence. We’ve successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients who have been injured in St. Petersburg car accidents, St. Petersburg motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents in St. Petersburg, wrongful death claims, and more.

You probably have questions about your legal options. Contact our law offices in St. Petersburg, FL to learn more about how we can help you.

How Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys Can Help With a Catastrophic Injury Claim in St. Petersburg, FL

How Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys Can Help With a Catastrophic Injury Claim in St. Petersburg, FL

Catastrophic injury claims are almost always complicated. It can be difficult to evaluate the impact and cost of the injury. An expensive hospital stay and rehabilitation may only be the beginning. Not every lawyer has the experience and resources to handle these types of cases.

At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, our experienced personal injury attorneys have over 25 years of combined experience handling complex cases like yours. 

Hiring us means you’ll have an attorney to:

  • Help you understand your legal options
  • Investigate the circumstances of your accident and injury
  • Hire top-rated experts and specialists to help us establish liability and calculate your case value
  • Aggressively negotiate with the insurance companies for the maximum compensation available

Recovering fair compensation after a serious accident can be the most important thing you do. To learn more about our practice areas and how our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers can help, reach out for a free consultation. 

Overview of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are the types of injuries that fundamentally change your life. Many catastrophic injuries permanently prevent the victim from performing any type of work or earning a living.

Your injuries may be classified as “catastrophic” if they:

  • Cause permanent and severe functional disability
  • Result in severe head or neck trauma
  • Are fatal

Most victims of catastrophic injuries require long-term medical care. Some even require around-the-clock assistance with basic activities of daily living, whether in an assisted living facility or in the home.

If you or a family member has suffered a catastrophic injury, don’t hesitate to reach out for the legal advice you deserve. Our St. Petersburg catastrophic injury attorneys at Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys have experience and success handling cases involving severe injuries. We offer a free case review, so contact our team today.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

There are many types of injuries that can be classified as catastrophic. Under Florida law, the term is broadly defined to include the types of injuries that are severe enough to give the victim a right to receive Social Security disability benefits.

Florida statutes also provide examples of catastrophic injuries, including:

  • Spinal cord injuries that result in paralysis
  • Amputations
  • Severe traumatic brain injuries
  • Severe burns that cover at least 25% of the body
  • Third-degree burns that cover at least 5% of the hands or face
  • Blindness 

Of course, many types of injuries can have a catastrophic impact on your life. Internal organ damage, loss of hearing, and even multiple broken bones may be severe enough to be catastrophic. 

How Common Are Catastrophic Injuries?

Catastrophic injuries are unfortunately common. Every year, the CDC estimates that between 80,000 and 90,000 Americans suffer brain damage severe enough to cause a permanent disability. About 185,000 amputations are performed every year. Another 17,810 severe spinal cord injuries occur every year.

Nearly 400,000 Florida residents are living with long-term brain injuries. Thousands more are struggling in the aftermath of burns, amputations, and vision loss.

What Are the Long-Term Consequences of Catastrophic Injuries?

By definition, catastrophic injuries have significant long-term consequences. These injuries are often so catastrophic because they harm every aspect of the victim’s life. As a family member or loved one, you’ll also suffer the consequences. The exact nature of those consequences can vary widely from case to case.

Some examples of the types of consequences you may face include:

  • Severe cognitive disabilities
  • Loss of motor function
  • The need for around-the-clock care
  • Inability to enjoy life’s activities 
  • Financial stress caused by medical expenses, the cost of rehabilitation, and nursing care
  • Damage to relationships
  • Loss of sexual function and the ability to bear children
  • Inability to work
  • Loss of the ability to play a role in children’s lives
  • Chronic pain
  • Dependency on pain medications
  • Ancillary health issues, including blood clots, infections, respiratory problems, and even high blood pressure
  • Coma or vegetative state
  • Wrongful death

Your mental health and well-being may also suffer. Many victims of catastrophic injuries suffer from severe depression and anxiety disorders. Others experience ongoing PTSD that can make even basic activities a challenge.

Our law firm in St. Petersburg will help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. All you have to do to get started is call us for a free case evaluation.

What Causes Most Catastrophic Injuries?

Any accident can be catastrophic if severe enough. Victims often sustain catastrophic injuries in motor vehicle accidents and fall accidents. Studies now show that sports accidents are also a common cause of severe injury.

At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, we often represent clients who have suffered injuries because of:

Regardless of the circumstances, our lawyers have the tools to help you fight for the fair compensation you deserve. To learn more, call for your free initial consultation today.

What Is My St. Petersburg Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?

The cost of treating a catastrophic injury can become overwhelming. When you lose the ability to work, your daily expenses can quickly start to add up. As you well know, medical treatment is also expensive–and insurance doesn’t cover everything.

Every case is different. Our attorneys in St. Petersburg will carefully evaluate your unique circumstances when assessing your case value. 

Some of the factors we’ll evaluate include:

  • The cost of your medical treatment and rehabilitation
  • The types of rehabilitation, care, and treatment you require once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement
  • The circumstances of the accident
  • The value of your lost wages, income, and lost future earning capacity
  • Your age, life expectancy, and need to support dependent children
  • Whether liability has been clearly established

It’s important to evaluate the whole picture before accepting any insurance settlement. Insurance companies will go to great lengths to downplay the cost of your injuries. Our lawyers have the resources to build the strong personal injury claim you deserve. We’ll work with experts in medicine, life planning, economics, and other specialties when we’re assessing your case value.

We can discuss your personal injury case value in more detail during your free consultation. To learn more, call our legal team today.

What Compensation Can I Recover for My Catastrophic Injuries in St. Petersburg, Florida?

When someone else’s acts caused your injuries, you can seek compensation for your full economic losses and non-economic damages. That includes both past and future losses.

Examples of your financial losses include:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Future medical expenses
  • Lost future earning capacity and employment benefits
  • Rehabilitative care
  • Long-term care
  • Nursing care
  • In-home assistance
  • Modifications for your home and vehicle
  • Property damage

Examples of your non-economic damages may include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • PTSD
  • Chronic pain
  • Disfigurement 
  • Loss of your independence
  • Loss of consortium

You may also be entitled to additional damages for wrongful death if you lost a loved one due to someone else’s mistake.

How Long Do I Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit in Florida?

The statute of limitations gives most accident victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida. Before March 24, 2023, this deadline was four years. However, Florida cut that deadline in half. Accordingly, you should take legal action within two years if your catastrophic injury in St. Petersburg occurred after 3/24/23.

Cases involving catastrophic injuries take time to prove. It may be months before you reach maximum medical improvement. It can also be months before your doctors can get a sense of your future needs.

That means it’s a good idea to talk to a lawyer sooner rather than later, so we can start building your case right away.

Contact a St. Petersburg Catastrophic Injury Lawyer For a Free Consultation

We know that your family is struggling if you’ve sustained a catastrophic injury. You deserve a skilled and experienced lawyer in your corner. Contact an experienced St. Petersburg catastrophic injury lawyer at Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys to learn more about how a lawyer can improve your chances of recovering fair compensation.

Visit Our Personal Injury Office in St. Petersburg, FL

Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys
700 7th Ave N Suite B St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 933-0015

We are available 24/7 to take your call; contact us today.

Our personal injury law firm in St. Petersburg, FL also provides: