$48.5
Million
Truck Accident Case
We took more than 60 depositions in five different states. Because of Stephenson’s tireless advocacy, shortly before the trial was to commence, the defendants settled the case for $48.5 million.
A favorable personal injury settlement can pay for property damage, cover medical bills, and compensate for pain and suffering. No amount of settlement money can ever change the fact that you were involved in an accident in the first place. This is especially true in a catastrophic injury case.
At Stephenson Rife, we understand that financial compensation will not undo the harm you suffered. But that does not mean your catastrophic injury claim is something to be taken lightly. Contact our team of Indiana trial attorneys now to learn more about your rights — your future depends on it.
Why Choose Us
We understand the complexities of a catastrophic injury and have a track record of success in the courtroom. As such, we can connect you with a catastrophic injury lawyer that learns about you and your case. Our attorney will make sure you receive the legal representation you deserve so you can present a strong argument in court.
How We Can Help
Our catastrophic injury lawyeris dedicated, prepared, and driven. We work hard to support clients involved in catastrophic injury lawsuits and make sure their legal needs are met. With our assistance, you can present a compelling argument that helps you get damages from anyone responsible for your catastrophic injury.
What Is A Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury refers to any injury from which a person is not expected to fully recover. This injury can prevent a person from working or performing any tasks they could perform previously. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Internal organ damage
- Bone fractures
- Vision and hearing loss.
Severe, disabling injuries can also come about from defective products. For example, a person can file a product liability lawsuit due to a defective airbag that deploys and causes a catastrophic injury. Or, someone can pursue damages after malfunctioning workplace equipment leads to an accident and catastrophic injury.
There can be instances in which intentional acts of assault and abuse by caregivers result in catastrophic injuries as well. In these cases, an individual can file a lawsuit against the caregiver. To do so, it is important to hire an experienced Indianapolis catastrophic injury lawyer, as this attorney can help a plaintiff seek the most damages possible.
How Catastrophic Injuries Occur
You often hear the term “freak accident” used to describe horrific incidents. This terminology is meant to characterize one-of-a-kind accidents that no one could have foreseen or prevented. The truth is that very few accidents are without some type of fault.
The facts surrounding a catastrophic accident are always unique. However, the conduct that leads to a catastrophic accident usually fits a familiar pattern. Here are some of the leading causes of catastrophic injuries.
Vehicular Accidents
A negligent driver can lose focus and cause any of the following types of vehicular accidents:
- Large truck accidents
- Passenger vehicle accidents
- Drunk driving crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bus and other commercial vehicle accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents involving motorized vehicles.
Following a vehicular accident, it is paramount to seek legal help from a catastrophic injury lawyer in Indianapolis. The lawyer can help you request damages for lost wages, medical and rehabilitation bills, pain and suffering, and other damages you incur due to your catastrophic injury. When another party is responsible for a catastrophic injury, they should be held accountable for their actions.
Workplace Accidents
The National Safety Council reported 4.2 million preventable injuries at work in the United States in 2021. Many types of catastrophic injuries can occur while you are on the job, such as:
- Burns from electrocutions, flammable substances, and corrosive materials
- Amputations from workplace explosions
- Broken bones from construction site accidents
- Spinal cord injuries from workplace equipment accidents.
Indianapolis catastrophic injury lawyers are well-equipped to handle cases involving workplace accidents. Initially, a lawyer gets information about the workplace accident that caused a catastrophic injury. Next, the attorney works with their client to gather evidence that can be used to compel a judge or jury to award their client the full amount of damages they request.
Do not wait to file a catastrophic injury lawsuit In Indiana. Catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases must be filed within two years from the date of the injury. If you do not file your lawsuit within this period, you lose the opportunity to hold any at-fault parties accountable for your catastrophic injury and any associated costs.
What Are the Consequences of a Catastrophic Injury?
After 30 years of representing accident victims in Indiana, the attorneys at Stephenson Rife have witnessed catastrophic injuries affecting every function of the human body. The worst of these injuries are the ones that permanently impede a victim’s . . .
- Mobility
- Cognitive skills
- Communication skills
- Physical appearance
- Lifespan
- Mental wellness
- Relationships with family members, friends, and peers
- Ability to work
- Ability to attend events and engage in social activities
- Ability to enjoy life to the fullest extent.
Limitations in any one of these areas cause irreparable harm not just to the victim but to the well-being of the victim’s dependents and loved ones. The amount of compensation obtained in a catastrophic injury settlement should reflect this fact.
A Word About Childhood Injuries
One of the most heartbreaking things that can happen is when your child becomes injured. It’s even worse when the injury could have been prevented. Injuries to children are especially upsetting since kids have their whole lives ahead of them.
If your child suffers a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, an Indianapolis catastrophic injury attorney can help you out. The attorney will allocate the time, energy, and resources to learn about your child’s catastrophic injury and why it occurred. From here, the attorney will help you pursue damages from any at-fault parties.
There is no excuse for letting someone off the hook for a negligent act that causes a child to suffer a catastrophic injury. With help from a catastrophic injury attorney in Indianapolis, you can hold any parties responsible for negligent acts that result in your child’s catastrophic injury. In this scenario, your attorney will work with you to seek non-economic and economic damages in a catastrophic injury lawsuit.
What Types Of Compensation Can You Get in a Catastrophic Injury Case?
The costs of a catastrophic injury case can be staggering. These costs should not fall on your family’s shoulders if someone else is responsible for your catastrophic injury. Thankfully, catastrophic injury lawyers help their clients request economic and non-economic compensatory damages to cover the short- and long-term costs of their injuries.
Economic damages cover objective losses, while non-economic damages cover subjective losses. In a catastrophic injury case, you can request economic and non-economic damages for various reasons, including:
- Medical expenses that relate to the injury
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Physical, occupational, speech, and other therapies
- Modifications that are needed for a home and/or vehicle
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Loss of consortium and comfort
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering.
The amount of damages awarded varies widely, depending on the individual case. The catastrophic injury lawyers at Stephenson Rife will take many factors into account when it comes to obtaining the compensation you deserve. We will make sure you request a reasonable amount of damages and can present a compelling argument to show a judge or jury why you deserve this amount.
Types Of Catastrophic Injury Cases We Handle
Catastrophic injuries and catastrophic accidents do not necessarily go hand in hand. An accident that appears terrible, such as a high-speed traffic crash, may produce relatively inconsequential injuries. Conversely, a seemingly-minor accident, like falling off a work platform only a few feet above the ground, may lead to permanent disability.
When it comes to proving you deserve damages, the catastrophic injury lawyers focus on what matters most: your injury. We represent clients that have suffered catastrophic injuries due to another party’s negligence. Regardless of the catastrophic injury and how it happened, we are here to help you in any way we can.
Unfortunately, some catastrophic injuries result in death. When that occurs, a wrongful death case can be brought if another party is at fault. We can help you file a lawsuit to sue any at-fault parties responsible for the wrongful death of your loved one.
Everything You Need to Know About Comparative Fault
In Indiana, as in many states, personal injury cases are subject to the “comparative fault” rule. According to this rule, an injured party can be found to be partially at fault for their catastrophic injury. If this happens, the injured party’s monetary damages can be reduced or eliminated.
For example, suppose you are driving 5 miles per hour over the speed limit when someone else abruptly moves into your lane, resulting in a crash that leads to a catastrophic injury. It could be determined that you were at fault for a portion of the accident because you were speeding. If you are found to be 15% at fault, any damages you are awarded would be reduced by 15%.
If you are found to be 51% or more at fault for your catastrophic injury, you cannot collect monetary damages. This is due to the fact that the court determines you are primarily responsible for your injury. As a result, the defendant in your case is not held responsible for any costs relating to your injury.
Existing Indiana Damage Caps
There are no caps on economic and non-economic damages you can pursue your case with our Indiana personal injury attorney. Therefore, it is in your best interests to seek the maximum amount of damages in a catastrophic injury lawsuit. You can work with a catastrophic injury attorney to determine how much to ask for in damages and build an argument that positions you to secure this amount.
There is, however, a cap on punitive damages you can request in Indiana personal injury cases. Punitive damages are awarded to deter an at-fault party from future acts of negligence. In Indiana, there is a punitive damages cap of three times the amount of compensatory damages or $50,000 (whichever amount is greater).
Wrongful death damage caps are a bit more complex in Indiana. The damages awarded in a wrongful death case vary based on the victim’s age and other factors. A wrongful death lawyer can work with you to help you calculate how much damages to seek in your lawsuit.
Speak with an Indianapolis Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today
Stephenson Rife can help you win or settle your catastrophic injury lawsuit. For more information, please call us at 317-680-2501 or contact us online.
Table Of Contents
- Why Choose Us
- How We Can Help
- What Is A Catastrophic Injury?
- How Catastrophic Injuries Occur
- Vehicular Accidents
- Workplace Accidents
- What Are The Consequences Of A Catastrophic Injury?
- A Word About Childhood Injuries
- What Types Of Compensation Can You Get In A Catastrophic Injury Case?
- Types Of Catastrophic Injury Cases We Handle
- Everything You Need To Know About Comparative Fault
- Existing Indiana Damage Caps
- Speak With An Indianapolis Catastrophic Injury Attorney Today