Florida Catastrophic Injury Lawyers

Catastrophic Injury Attorneys Proudly Serving Clients in Orlando and Throughout Florida

The Florida catastrophic injury lawyers at Colling Gilbert Wright are acutely aware of the devastating toll that severe personal injuries inflict on victims and their families. The journey following such an injury is filled with challenges, not only due to the physical suffering and emotional distress faced by victims but also because of the overwhelming financial strain that often follows. Escalating medical expenses and lost earnings can push a family to the brink.

At Colling Gilbert Wright, our hearts and efforts are dedicated to those we represent. We believe in more than just seeking justice—we are committed to providing support, understanding, and relentless advocacy for every client.

If you or a loved one has been grievously injured due to another’s carelessness, know that our Orlando catastrophic injury lawyers are here for you at every step, fighting for the comprehensive compensation you rightfully deserve.

Contact us online or call (407) 712-7300 today to schedule a FREE case evaluation. Our commitment is to represent our neighbors in Orlando and throughout Florida, ensuring their rights are fiercely protected.

At Colling Gilbert Wright, our dedicated Florida catastrophic injury attorneys are adept at handling a wide array of personal injury claims. We’re committed to sharing your story and constructing a robust case on your behalf. We will remain at your side throughout the legal process, ready to address any questions and alleviate your concerns.

For a deeper understanding of our services, we invite you to explore the following sections:

• What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury Under Florida Law?
• Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Florida
• How Do You Treat Catastrophic Injuries?
• What Types of Damages Are Available to Catastrophic Injury Victims in Orlando?
• What Factors Can Affect How Much My Settlement Is Worth?
• A Closer Look at Examples of Catastrophic Injury

What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury Under Florida Law?

Under Florida Statutes § 960.03(1), a catastrophic injury is strictly defined to encapsulate severe injuries that result in permanent impairments, dramatically altering the lives of victims and their families. This definition is essential for understanding the scope of compensation and legal action available.

Catastrophic injuries include:

• Spinal Cord Injuries: Severe paralysis affecting limbs or the trunk, drastically altering mobility and daily life.
• Amputations: The loss of a hand, foot, arm, or leg, which profoundly affects a person’s ability to engage in routine tasks and employment.
• Severe Brain or Closed-Head Injuries: These injuries can manifest as intense sensory or motor issues, severe communication problems, significant disturbances in cerebral function, severe episodic neurological disorders, or conditions as severe as any mentioned, deeply impacting cognitive and physical abilities.
• Burns: Second-degree or third-degree burns covering 25% or more of the body or 5% or more of the face and hands, leading to long-term medical care, possible surgeries, and profound psychological impact.
• Blindness: Total or industrial blindness fundamentally shifts how a person navigates their environment and daily tasks.
• Other Severe Injuries: Any injury meeting the statute’s criteria for causing a disability significant enough to qualify for federal disability benefits.

These injuries are recognized for their severe, long-lasting impact on an individual’s life. They often require lifelong medical treatment, rehabilitation, and personal care, alongside significant financial burdens on the victims and their families.

The classification of an injury as catastrophic under Florida law reinforces the gravity of these situations and the crucial need for comprehensive legal representation by a skilled catastrophic injury attorney. Legal guidance is vital to ensure victims receive the full compensation they are entitled to, reflecting the profound changes to their lives and livelihoods.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Florida

Catastrophic injuries often result from events that are both tragic and, unfortunately, not uncommon. These injuries drastically alter the lives of victims and their families, leading to significant medical, emotional, and financial challenges.

The most common causes of catastrophic injuries include:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: The state’s highways and streets see a considerable number of car, motorcycle, and truck accidents, often leading to grave injuries from high-velocity impacts and collisions.
• Workplace Accidents: Specific sectors—notably construction, manufacturing, and agriculture—exhibit a heightened risk for severe accidents due to the utilization of heavy machinery, elevated work areas, and other perilous conditions.
• Falls from Heights: Slips, trips, and falls from significant heights, which can occur in various settings, including workplaces and public spaces, frequently result in critical injuries, particularly affecting the spinal cord or brain.
• Medical Malpractice: Surgical errors, diagnostic errors, or neglect in medical care can culminate in catastrophic consequences, drastically affecting a patient’s quality of life.
• Recreational Activities: Engaging in adventurous recreational activities sometimes leads to severe injuries, often due to insufficient safety protocols.
• Defective Products: Injuries caused by malfunctioning or poorly designed consumer products, machinery, or safety equipment can have devastating consequences.
• Pharmaceutical Injuries: Severe adverse reactions to drugs, whether due to prescription errors, faulty drugs, or misleading information, can lead to catastrophic health issues.

Each of these causes calls attention to the unpredictability and severity of catastrophic injuries. The role of a knowledgeable catastrophic injury lawyer is critical in handling the fallout of a serious injury and in seeking justice for victims and their families.

How Do You Treat Catastrophic Injuries?

Treating catastrophic injuries demands an individualized, multidisciplinary approach due to the complex and long-term nature of these conditions. Initial treatment typically involves stabilizing the patient in a hospital setting, often requiring emergency surgeries or intensive care to address immediate life-threatening issues.

Following stabilization, a comprehensive rehabilitation plan is devised, incorporating various specialists:

• Physical Therapists focus on restoring mobility, strength, and function.
• Occupational Therapists assist in regaining daily living skills.
• Neurologists & Neuropsychologists address brain injuries and cognitive impairments.
• Pain Management Specialists help manage chronic pain.
• Speech & Language Therapists work on communication and swallowing difficulties.

Long-term care may also include psychological support to help patients and families cope with emotional and mental health challenges stemming from the catastrophic injury. Adaptations to living environments and assistive technologies are often necessary to enhance independence and quality of life. Given the extensive care required, securing compensation to cover these comprehensive treatment needs becomes imperative.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Catastrophic Injury Victims in Orlando?

Catastrophic injury victims in Orlando may be entitled to a wide range of damages to compensate for the profound impact such serious injuries have on their lives. These damages are classified into two categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

Economic damages offer monetary compensation for quantifiable financial burdens imposed by catastrophic injuries, encompassing all calculable expenses and losses. These include:

• Medical Expenses (past and future) for emergency treatments, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and any ongoing medical care
• Lost Wages for time missed from work
• Loss of Earning Capacity if the victim can no longer work or earn the same amount as before the injury
• Costs for Modifications to Homes or Vehicles to accommodate disabilities.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages provide restitution for the immeasurable, subjective impacts of catastrophic injuries, recognizing the profound personal and emotional losses suffered. These include:

• Pain & Suffering for the physical discomfort and emotional distress experienced
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life if the victim can no longer participate in hobbies or activities they once enjoyed
• Loss of Consortium & Companionship for the impact on the victim’s relationship with their spouse and family
• Disfigurement & Scarring for physical changes that affect appearance and self-esteem
• Disability & Impairment for long-term or permanent reductions in physical or cognitive abilities

In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded on top of economic and non-economic damages. These are not linked to the victim’s losses but are intended to punish the particularly egregious behavior that caused the injuries and deter similar conduct in the future.

An Orlando catastrophic injury lawyer provides support for victims and their families, meticulously identifying and quantifying damages to cover every aspect of their loss. This thorough approach is dedicated to achieving a settlement or verdict that genuinely acknowledges the profound impact of the victim’s injuries, offering some measure of relief.

What Factors Can Affect How Much My Settlement Is Worth?

Several factors come into play when determining the value of a settlement in a catastrophic injury case. These include:

• The severity and permanence of the injury
• The impact of the injury on the victim’s quality of life
• The extent of medical expenses, both current and future
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• The degree of negligence or fault attributed to the involved parties
• The available insurance coverage limits

Each of these elements contributes to the overall assessment, influencing the settlement amount to ensure it accurately reflects the profound and lasting effects of the injury on the victim’s life.

A Closer Look at Examples of Catastrophic Injury

Our compassionate and experienced attorneys are dedicated to supporting victims of severe injuries. We understand the profound impact these injuries can have, not just on the physical well-being of the victims but on their emotional and mental health as well. Our firm is adept at navigating cases that encompass a wide array of injuries.

Severe Burns

Burn injuries rank among the most traumatic catastrophic injuries, with their severity determined by depth and extent. The consequences go beyond physical pain—they entail deep emotional scars, serving as constant reminders of the traumatic incident.

The path to recovery is often long, requiring extensive hospital stays, painful skin grafts, and psychological support to address the trauma’s mental and emotional toll. Our legal team is proficient in handling cases arising from various scenarios, including defective products, workplace accidents, and motor vehicle incidents, where negligence is a central factor.

Burn injuries typically fall into categories based on their cause:

• Thermal Burns: Resulting from contact with fire, hot liquids, or steam.
• Electrical Burns: Occurring when electricity passes through the body, often due to defective or exposed electrical wiring.
• Chemical Burns: Caused by corrosive substances making contact with the skin.

These injuries often necessitate intensive treatments, including skin grafts, IV fluids, and antibiotics, to manage pain and prevent infections.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Traumatic brain injuries represent some of the most profound and life-altering injuries, affecting not just the victim but their entire family and support system. The path to recovery is uncertain and fraught with challenges, including cognitive rehabilitation, physical therapy, and often lifelong medical care.

Our team stands ready to support victims of TBIs. We understand the nuanced and complex nature of these cases and strive to secure comprehensive compensation that addresses both immediate and long-term care needs.

Traumatic brain injuries can lead to:

• Long-term cognitive impairment
• Behavioral and mood changes
• Severe headaches and migraines
• Physical disabilities and paralysis

Spinal Cord Injuries

Injuries to the spinal cord are devastating, often resulting in partial or complete paralysis. The impact on a victim’s quality of life is immeasurable, requiring adaptations to every aspect of daily living and potentially lifelong medical and personal care.

We approach each spinal cord injury case with sensitivity and determination, advocating for victims’ rights to compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering. Whether the injury results from a vehicular accident, a slip and fall, or a workplace accident, our team is committed to ensuring our clients receive the justice they deserve.

Spinal cord Injuries may result in:

• Quadriplegia or paraplegia
• Loss of sensation in certain parts of the body
• Difficulty in breathing without assistance
• Necessity for medical equipment like wheelchairs or specialized vehicles

Electrocution

Electrocution injuries, while less common, are no less severe and can result from numerous negligence forms, including defective products and unsafe working conditions. The severity of an electric shock injury depends on the current’s voltage and the path it takes through the body, potentially causing extensive damage to skin, nerves, muscles, and vital organs.

Potential consequences of electrocution include:

• Deep, painful burns
• Cardiac arrest and heart arrhythmias
• Muscle damage and permanent nerve effects like numbness or tingling
• Deformity, disfigurement, and spinal injuries

Immediate medical attention is crucial following a high-voltage shock. Call emergency services in cases of unconsciousness or respiratory failure.

In handling cases of severe burns, TBIs, spinal cord injuries, and electrocution, our legal team leverages years of experience and an extensive network of resources to support victims through these challenging times. We meticulously review each case’s details to identify at-fault parties and hold them accountable.

Contact the Florida Catastrophic Injury Attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright Today!

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, don’t embark on this challenging journey alone. The Florida catastrophic injury lawyers at Colling Gilbert Wright are here to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

With compassion, dedication, and skill, we stand by our clients at every step. Contact us online or call (407) 712-7300 today to schedule a FREE consultation. We are devoted to the folks we serve and make sure that we are always available to them. Allow us to be your advocates!