Damages in Washington Catastrophic Injury Cases

If you have suffered a catastrophic injury, your recovery will most likely be very costly – both in terms of financial losses and pain and suffering. It will include such expenses as medical bills, rehabilitation, assistive devices, lost income from time away from work, and more.

If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may have a right to recover compensation for the harm you suffered.

The attorneys of Tinker Law Firm, PLLC pursue personal injury lawsuits on behalf of individuals who sustained catastrophic injuries caused by medical malpractice and other forms of negligence.

Our attorneys have the skills and experience to handle even the most complex cases involving catastrophic injuries. Our respected and trusted catastrophic injury attorneys are ready to discuss your case in a free initial consultation. We’ll let you know how you can protect your rights under Washington law.

Call us today or fill out our online contact form for a free claim evaluation.

Types of Compensation in a Catastrophic Injury Claim

A legal claim for compensation after an accident causing a catastrophic injury is known as a personal injury lawsuit. After a fatal accident, the victim’s survivors may bring a wrongful death claim.

A personal injury lawsuit in Washington may seek economic damages that include:

• Medical expenses.
• Loss of earnings.
• Loss of use of property.
• Cost of replacement or repair.
• Cost of obtaining substitute domestic services.
• Loss of employment.
• Loss of business or employment opportunities.

Noneconomic damages sought in a lawsuit may include:

• Pain.
• Suffering.
• Inconvenience.
• Mental anguish.
• Disability or disfigurement.
• Emotional distress.
• Loss of society and companionship.
• Loss of consortium.
• Destruction of the parent-child relationship.

What Are the True Costs of a Catastrophic Injury?

What matters when considering damages in catastrophic injury cases is accurately calculating the full extent of the injured person’s losses. This is more that adding up receipts from bills.

Medical expenses for a catastrophic injury usually include emergency care, perhaps including ambulance fees, as well as hospitalization, diagnostic tests, surgery, medication, and more. Most seriously injured patients will require medical attention for months and in some cases years. Some catastrophic injury victims are disabled and require assistance of some sort for the rest of their lives.

A disabled injury victim must look to future needs regarding medical care, rehabilitation and, in some cases, obtaining personal assistance and adaptations to the home and vehicle. A forward-looking plan for these needs is known as a “life-care plan.”

A life-care plan is a detailed tool for delivering long-term care, including medical, psychological, rehabilitation and lifestyle needs. Depending on the specific injury and other factors, a life-care plan may include recommendations and cost projections for current and future provision of:

• Medical examinations and treatments.
• Psychological assessments, therapy and counseling.
• Physical, vocational, and occupational rehabilitation therapy.
• Medication and medical supplies.
• Home- or facility-based care.
• In-home aides and personal assistance.
• Adaptive devices (walker, wheelchair, and hospital bed, for example), including maintenance and replacement.
• Home adaptations (ramps, wider doorways, and bathroom renovations, for example).
• Transportation adaptation (for example, a modified van with a wheelchair lift) or assistance.

Income losses in a catastrophic injury case must take into account how the plaintiff’s disability – whether partial or full, temporary or permanent – will adversely affect earning ability and potential. At Tinker Law Firm, PLLC our lawyers often work with financial planning experts to calculate future income loss based on the client’s earnings prior to the accident, as well as the value of fringe benefits, including retirement contributions, and potential bonuses, commissions, raises, career advancement, and other factors.

Contact Our Seattle Catastrophic Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, contact Tinker Law Firm, PLLC today. We thoroughly investigate accident claims to determine the true extent of our clients’ past, current, and future losses from medical expenses, reduced income, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.

We accept catastrophic injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means we do not charge legal fees unless we obtain a monetary settlement or court award for you.

Our personal injury attorneys have years of experience – and a proven track record – when it comes to representing catastrophic injury victims in Washington State. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for clients who have suffered serious personal injuries.

Contact us today to discuss your situation and determine if you might be entitled to compensation.