If you’re seeking legal representation for catastrophic injuries in Birmingham, Alabama, our experienced attorneys at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help. We understand the profound impact such injuries can have on victims and their families. Contact us today at (205) 206-5088 for a free consultation.
Sustaining an injury can significantly disrupt your life. You may be out of work for weeks or months while you recover. The financial strain could be overwhelming for your family.
However, some individuals sustain life-altering catastrophic injuries. These injuries often result in permanent impairments that severely limit your ability to work and return to your normal activities. You could be entitled to compensation if another party is responsible for causing your injury.
Our firm has a successful track record of winning cases for more than two decades. Our team has won hundreds of millions in negotiated settlements and jury verdicts, earning our membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Contact Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers for a consultation with one of our Birmingham catastrophic injury lawyers.
How Our Birmingham Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Seek Compensation for a Catastrophic Injury Claim
Personal injury claims involving catastrophic injuries are complex cases. The damages are extensive. Proving the extent of the injuries and damages often requires hiring medical specialists and financial experts. Additionally, you must prove the other party caused your injury before receiving any money for your claim.
It is crucial that you hire an experienced catastrophic injury attorney who understands the complicated nature of these claims. At Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers, our legal team has the resources, skills, and experience to pursue the most complex injury cases.
When you hire our top-rated Birmingham personal injury attorneys, we handle all matters related to your case, including:
- Investigating the cause of your catastrophic injury to determine liability
- Gather evidence proving fault, including working with leading expert witnesses
- Document your damages to determine how much your catastrophic injury case is worth
- Aggressive fight allegations of blame and contributory fault
- Handle all matters with the insurance company, including negotiating fair settlements
- Pursue all sources of compensation for damages
- Take your case to a jury trial if necessary
We are nationally and locally recognized for our legal services. Our attorneys have awards and top ratings from The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. Martindale-Hubbell awarded us its highest rating–Preeminent AV.
Call Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free case evaluation with our experienced Birmingham catastrophic injury lawyers. Our legal team answers your questions and explains your legal options so you can make an informed decision on how to proceed with a personal injury claim.
What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?
All injuries can cause missed time from work, pain, suffering, and financial consequences. However, a catastrophic injury is generally defined as an injury that:
- Causes a temporary loss of function or ability, such as losing speech, hearing, or movement;
- Causes a permanent disability or impairment; or,
- Results in a person’s death.
Catastrophic injuries may be life-threatening and require immediate medical treatment. Delays in medical treatment could result in complications and worsening conditions.
Some victims may recover fully from a catastrophic injury, although it could take months or years. Many people sustain some form of impairment, whether that is partial or total impairment, depends on the type and severity of the injury. When a catastrophic injury causes a permanent impairment, the person may require life-long personal and nursing care.
What Types of Accidents or Incidents Cause Catastrophic Injuries?
Any personal injury or accident could result in a disabling injury. At Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys handle all types of catastrophic injury cases, including those arising from:
- Workplace accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Bicycle accidents
- Car accidents
- Premises liability claims
- Commercial truck accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Dog bites and attacks
- Nursing home abuse
- Defective products
- Assaults and other violent acts
- Pedestrian accidents
Your first priority is medical care if you are injured in an accident or other incident. Delays in medical care could diminish your chance of recovery. It could also hurt your personal injury case. After receiving medical treatment, call Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers for help filing a catastrophic injury claim.
Examples of Catastrophic Injuries
Numerous injuries can result in impairments and disabling conditions. Injuries that could fit within the category of catastrophic injuries include:
- Crushing injuries
- Spinal cord injury
- Hearing loss
- Traumatic brain injury
- Chest injuries
- Nerve damage
- Severe burns
- Vision loss
- Complex multiple fractures and broken bones
- Amputations and loss of limbs
Our legal team works closely with your physicians and medical specialists to document your injuries and the severity of the impairments. We gather evidence to build a solid case for the maximum value of your damages.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Birmingham, AL?
Injury victims can recover compensatory damages under Alabama’s personal injury laws. Those damages include economic damages, such as:
- The cost of past and future medical treatment and care
- Rehabilitative therapy and care
- Lost wages and benefits
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Long-term personal and/or nursing care
- Decreased earning potential
Victims may also receive compensation for their non-economic damages. These damages include:
- Impairments and disabilities
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
The value of your damages depends on many factors. Our legal team analyzes each factor to determine how it impacts the value of damages. We work to maximize the value of each type of damage to obtain the best possible outcome for your case.
You can help document your injuries by keeping copies of all bills, receipts, and other proof of financial losses. You can also document your pain and suffering by keeping a journal detailing your struggle to recover. The journal should include your emotional state, pain levels, and activities your injuries prevent you from performing.
What Factors Impact How Much My Catastrophic Injury Case Is Worth?
The factors that affect how much money you receive for an injury claim are specific to your case. However, common factors that impact the value of damages include:
- The type of injuries sustained
- The parties involved in the claim
- The duration of your recovery period
- The medical treatments required for your injuries
- The severity of disabilities and impairments
- Whether you can perform any type of work
- The total of your financial damages
- How your injuries impact your daily activities
- Whether you could be partially at fault for causing your injuries
- The availability of insurance coverage and policy amounts
Some factors can increase the value of your claim. However, other factors may have a negative impact on how much your case is worth. For example, if you are partially to blame for causing your injury, you could receive nothing for your claim.
What Happens if I’m Partially to Blame for Causing a Catastrophic Injury?
Alabama is one of just a handful of states that still operates under a pure contributory negligence rule. If a victim is to blame for causing their injuries, they cannot recover damages.
It does not matter how much they are at fault. The victim could be 5% to blame, and the other party could be 95% to blame. Still, the victim would be barred from receiving money for their damages.
Pure comparative negligence is a harsh standard for apportioning damages. Insurance companies try to shift some blame to the victim as if it were their negligence to avoid paying claims. Therefore, it is best to allow an attorney to deal with the insurance company instead of dealing directly with a claims adjuster.
Never accept fault for causing an accident. Do not apologize for an accident, even to be polite. At Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers, our lawyers understand the law and insurance tactics used to take advantage of innocent victims. We will protect your right to fair and just compensation for injuries.
What Does It Cost to Hire a Birmingham Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?
We do not want you to worry about what it costs to hire a lawyer. Instead, we want you to focus on healing from your injuries.
Our lawyers at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers take cases for a contingency fee. We do not charge you attorneys’ fees when you hire our law firm. Instead, our attorneys’ fees are based on a percentage of the amount we recover for your case. Therefore, we will only be paid after we win your case.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Alabama?
The statute of limitations in Alabama for most personal injury claims is two years from the injury date. The court can dismiss a personal injury lawsuit filed after that date. However, some exceptions could change the deadline. Talk with one of our attorneys as soon as possible to protect your right to file a lawsuit for damages.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Birmingham Catastrophic Injury Attorneys
We understand that you have been through a traumatic event. Our legal team provides support and guidance as you seek the compensation you deserve. Call us today for your free case review with a Birmingham catastrophic injury lawyer.