Okemos Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

A catastrophic injury can send your life flying off course. Recovering from this type of injury is a long and painful process, and in many cases, a full recovery is impossible. If your injury was caused by the negligence or intentional act of another party, you could be entitled to compensation.

At White Law PLLC, our team of catastrophic injury lawyers serving Okemos has a proven track record of securing significant compensation for our clients. Whether through a settlement deal or a court-ordered payout, we can help get you the money you need. Learn more by giving us a call or completing the contact form on this site to schedule a free consultation.

How a Catastrophic Injury Attorney Can Help

Recovering compensation for a catastrophic injury on your own can be incredibly challenging. Fortunately, an experienced catastrophic injury attorney in Okemos, MI, can help. One of the first actions your lawyer will take on your behalf will be to begin investigating your accident.

The purpose of this inquiry will be to determine who bears fault for your damages as well as to collect evidence that supports your injury claim. Once they have concluded their investigation, your attorney will calculate the full value of your claim based on the various damages you suffered. They will then either file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.

If pursuing a lawsuit, the next step will be to go through all the stages of the pretrial process. After that, your attorney will argue your case in court if necessary. At every step of the process, your lawyer will be negotiating with opposing counsel as they try to reach an agreement regarding a settlement deal.

Recoverable Damages After a Catastrophic Injury

Following an accident that results in a catastrophic injury, collecting compensation from the liable party can be essential. There are many types of recoverable damages, and determining the ones that apply to your case is necessary for recovering the full value of your claim. All damages are divided into three primary categories.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the easiest losses to quantify. These damages are awarded to cover any losses you suffered that affected you financially. Some of the most commonly available economic damages include:

• Lost income
• Diminished earning ability
• Medical bills
• Future medical expenses
• Property damages

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are not nearly as straightforward. Because of the fact that there is no monetary value attached to these losses, calculating their worth can be complex. Non-economic damages often have a lasting and profound effect. Because of this, the money recovered from these losses is often substantial. Some common non-economic damages include:

• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Decreased quality of life
• Mental anguish
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of consortium

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are only assessed in a small portion of catastrophic injury cases. These damages are reserved for extreme cases where the at-fault party acted in a criminally negligent manner or with the intent of causing harm to others.

Instead of focusing on replacing the losses endured by the injury victim, punitive damages are used to punish the at-fault party for their role in the incident.

Pay Attention to the Statute of Limitations When Filing a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit

When attempting to recover compensation through a catastrophic injury lawsuit, you should be aware of the statute of limitations. In Michigan, the personal injury statute of limitations gives injury victims three years to file. If this deadline passes and you haven’t submitted the necessary paperwork, you will likely be out of options for recovering damages.

However, it’s important to understand that there are exceptions to the statute of limitations, which could either extend or shorten the amount of time you have to take action.

The best way to ensure that you are aware of the deadline that applies to your case is by hiring an experienced Okemos catastrophic injury attorney. Your lawyer will be able to identify if any exceptions alter your personal deadline and ensure that all the necessary documents are filed on time.

Speak With an Attorney Before Accepting a Settlement Deal

You need to understand that insurance companies will go to great lengths to avoid having to pay the full value of your injury claim. They have a whole bag of tricks they will use to achieve this goal, including approaching injury victims with a settlement before they have time to consider all their options.

Don’t be surprised if an insurance adjuster contacts you with a settlement offer before you have been released from the hospital. While this offer will be disguised as an attempt to be friendly and helpful, the truth is that the money they are offering is likely far below the true value of your claim.

They are extending the offer in hopes you will take the deal before hiring an attorney. Refusing to speak with the insurer until you have hired an experienced Okemos catastrophic injury attorney is the best way to protect yourself. Your lawyer can help identify your claim’s true value and negotiate a fair settlement deal.

Choose a Law Firm With Experience Handling Catastrophic Injury Cases In Okemos

When selecting a lawyer to represent you in your catastrophic injury case, you must choose a law firm with experience handling cases similar to yours and a history of securing favorable outcomes for their clients. At White Law PLLC, our team of catastrophic injury lawyers in Okemos, MI, has helped countless injury victims get back on their feet.

Complete our contact form or reach out by phone to schedule a free consultation today. A member of our team will review your case and advise you of your legal options.