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Catastrophic injuries can have a devastating and permanent impact on the lives of victims. If you were seriously injured in an accident, you may feel overwhelmed with worry how you might continue to live a full and productive life.
Recovering from or adapting to a long-altering injury can be tremendously expensive, and you may be unable to work in your previous occupation. Thankfully, an adept Lancaster catastrophic injury lawyer might be able to seek compensation on your behalf. With help from a seasoned personal injury attorney, you could hold the at-fault parties accountable for your losses.
What is Catastrophic Harm?
A catastrophic harm can involve bodily injury or a serious illness. These injuries usually involve lengthy recovery periods or may be permanently disabling. Some common types of catastrophic injuries include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), paralysis, severe burns, disfigurement, or spinal cord injuries (SCI).
A catastrophic illness is a life-threatening, long-lasting, or complex disease. Catastrophic illnesses are sometimes caused by exposure to toxic chemicals at worksites. If a person or company’s negligence led to the harm, a seasoned catastrophic injury attorney in Lancaster might be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Pursuing a Lawsuit in Lancaster
The South Carolina courts follow rules of comparative negligence in personal injury lawsuits. As such, a catastrophically injured plaintiff may succeed in a lawsuit against a negligent defendant if they are deemed to be no more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. However, if they share some of the responsibility, their total compensation award would be reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, a victim who was 10 percent responsible for an accident could only recover 90 percent of their total damages.
Statute of Limitations
Per S.C. Code §15-3-530, claimants who were harmed by the careless actions of another person generally must file a lawsuit within three years from the date of the injury. However, some exceptions may apply. A Lancaster catastrophic injury attorney could help victims gather evidence and meet all applicable deadlines.
Recoverable Damages
In a catastrophic injury lawsuit, the courts may award both economic and noneconomic damages. A catastrophic injury attorney in Lancaster could help victims calculate a fair value for all of their losses.
Economic Damages
Economic damages include compensation for easily quantifiable losses. For example, victims may miss work during recovery, or they may become permanently disabled and unable to work in the future. Additionally, victims may accumulate a mountain of medical bills for the costs of hospitalization, multiple surgeries, 24-hour nursing care, or physical therapy.
Noneconomic Damages
Noneconomic damages compensate plaintiffs for harms that are less tangible. For example, injury victims may seek payments for their pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Seek the Services of a Lancaster Catastrophic Injury Attorney
If you were critically injured in an accident, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the at-fault parties. A Lancaster catastrophic injury lawyer could help you hold them accountable and pursue fair compensation. Call Schiller & Hamilton today to discuss your situation.