How wrongful death claims of a child are determined
The death of a child is devastating. If it is possible for it to be even worse, a
Catastrophic Injury
Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Central New York
Whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, or going about your workday, being seriously hurt in an accident can turn your life upside down. At James Alexander law, our experienced attorneys understand the long-term impact that catastrophic injuries have on victims and their families. For more than 40 years, our catastrophic injury lawyers have helped clients in central New York pursue the compensation they need to rebuild their lives after an accident. We’re dedicated to fighting for your rights, protecting your interests, and helping you hold negligent parties accountable.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
Catastrophic injuries go far beyond a mere broken bone or sore neck. They are serious, often permanent injuries that significantly impair a victim’s ability to function. They may leave victims unable to work, perform daily tasks, or enjoy things they once loved to do. Some of the most common catastrophic injuries in New York include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Loss of limb or amputation
- Severe Burns
- Crushed bones and compound fractures
- Organ damage
- Vision or hearing loss
- Severe burns
- Disfigurement
These types of injuries present serious physical, emotional, and financial challenges to victims and their families. The cost of long-term medical care, rehabilitation, prosthetics, home modifications, nursing care, and other needs can add up quickly. Our catastrophic injury lawyers ensure that any recovery we pursue covers all your future needs and fully compensates you for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Central New York
Sadly, many catastrophic injuries are are caused by someone else’s negligence or carelessness. Some common causes include:
Collisions Involving Large Commercial Vehicles
Due to their large size and weight, crashes involving tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, construction vehicles, and busses can be devastating, even at low speeds. Truck accident cases are often complex and may involve multiple parties, so it’s vital to have an experienced catastrophic injury attorney by your side.
Motorcycle Accidents
Because motorcyclists don’t have any protection surrounding them, they are particularly vulnerable to catastrophic injuries like TBI, paralysis, or amputation. Our catastrophic injury lawyers understand the nuances of motorcycle accident cases and know how to combat unfair stereotypes about motorcyclists and prove fault.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Pedestrians and bicyclists can also sustain catastrophic injuries when struck by a car or truck.
Construction Site Accidents
Countless hazards on construction sites cause catastrophic injury every day. Working with heavy machinery, dangerous tools, and at great heights requires focus and strict safety standards. Workers and bystanders can suffer catastrophic injuries in construction accidents involving falls, equipment malfunction, falling objects, and safety violations. Although employees are generally barred from suing their employers in New York, if a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner was negligent, they may be liable for damages in a third-party liability claim.
Other Workplace Accidents
Factories, warehouses, and industrial settings are also rife with hazards. Burns from chemical exposure, electrical injuries, crush injuries, amputations, and falling objects are common in work environments like these. Although workers’ compensation benefits can be helpful, if you suffer a catastrophic injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence, a third-party workplace injury claim can provide the compensation you need to protect your long-term financial security.
Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip, trip, or fall accident may not sound like a big deal, but catastrophic injuries like TBI and spinal injuries can happen from falling down damaged stairs, slipping on ice, and other dangerous conditions on someone’s property. Under the concept of premises liability, property owners and businesses have a legal obligation to maintain a safe environment. If they fail to do so and someone is injured, they may be liable for damages.
How Catastrophic Injuries Impact Victims and Their Families
In addition to suffering excruciating pain and physical ailments, many victims of catastrophic injuries deal with emotional and social issues that can significantly reduce their quality of life. Some challenges they often face include:
- Adjusting to life with a permanent or long-term disability
- Inability to work or go to school
- Loss of income
- Chronic pain
- Expensive ongoing medical treatment, therapy, and rehabilitation
These types of drastic changes and the need for daily care by family members can take a serious toll on relationships. Loss of independence or being traumatized by an accident can result in a depression, anxiety, and PTSD, which can lead to social isolation. This not only affects the victim, but their spouses, children, and other friends and family.
Recovering Compensation in Catastrophic Injury Claims
Although no amount of money can change what happened, it’s important to ensure any settlement or award you pursue is enough to cover damages like future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and intangible losses like pain and suffering. Our catastrophic injury attorneys in central New York know how to accurately value your claim. We work closely with medical experts and financial professionals that help us determine what your claim is worth and give you the best chance of recovering maximum compensation for damages. Our catastrophic injury attorneys help you pursue damages such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- In-home nursing or personal care
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Wage loss
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
In cases involving egregious behavior or wrongdoing, such as being hit by a drunk driver, punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are designed to punish the negligent party and deter similar conduct in the future. Our catastrophic injury attorneys can evaluate your case and determine whether pursuing punitive damages may be appropriate.
Why You Need an Experienced Central New York Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Catastrophic injury cases often involve high-value claims, which means insurance companies may fight even harder to minimize your injuries and pay out as little as possible. With four decades of experience representing catastrophic injury victims in central New York, our skilled attorneys know how to pursue all possible sources of compensation and build strong cases that get results.
Our catastrophic injury attorneys also understand the significant long-term impact an accident may have on you and your family. We approach your case with determination and provide the compassionate, personalized legal support you deserve so you can focus on getting better and adjusting to the changes in your life.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Our caring team handles all aspects of your case, which includes communications and negotiations with insurers. Our catastrophic injury lawyers are familiar with the tactics they employ to minimize or deny claims, and know how to counter them with solid evidence and compelling arguments. Our local attorneys are experienced litigators who won’t hesitate to take your case to trial and fight for you in court if necessary.
Quality Legal Representation with No Financial Risk
Our catastrophic injury lawyers understand the financial strain families face after an accident. We believe that the last thing you need to worry about is how you’ll pay for legal representation. We offer free consultations and take cases on contingency. This means you won’t incur any up-front costs and we only get paid attorneys’ fees if we recover compensation for you. Fees are paid from your settlement or award when your case is completed.
Compassionate Legal Support You Can Trust
As one of the most respected personal injury law firms in Central New York, we’ve helped countless families secure justice and compensation after life-changing injuries. With two convenient locations in east Syracuse and Rochester, our catastrophic injury attorneys serve clients in central New York, the Southern Tier, and surrounding areas.
Contact a Central New York Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
At James Alexander Law, we’re committed to helping catastrophic injury victims and their families protect their financial security and rebuild their lives with dignity. To speak to a catastrophic injury attorney near you in central New York, contact us, call 1-800-529-1333, or use the convenient chat feature on our website to get in touch.
Our Firm's Success
$725,000
*Settlement for self-employed businessman in car crash resulting in lumbar surgery.
Every auto accident is different. Your injuries, losses, and damages are unique to your particular accident. We work hard to give every client the time and attention they deserve.
$870,000
*Settlement for injured worker hit as pedestrian during a construction project.
Construction work is dangerous and a construction injury can be devastating. That’s why New York has special laws, rules and regulations in effect to protect injured workers.
$1.4 Million
*Full policy limit settlement for injured motorcyclists cut off by motor vehicle.
Due to the unforgiving nature of motorcycle accidents, victims often suffer bodily harm that affects all aspects of their lives. It is important that you know your rights.
SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION
This law firm limits its practice to representing personal injury and wrongful death victims only. If you need help with any other matter, do not complete this form fill. Instead, contact your county bar association for referral to a lawyer who can help you.
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Wrongful death can occur in a number of ways. The law requires that claimants in a wrongful death case must prove liability on the part of the defendant wrong-doer.
Violence
Manufacturers of defective products such as dangerous drugs, defective appliances, and defective medical devices may be held liable for personal injury and death that occurs due to the use of their defective product.
Defective Product
Speeding is the second leading cause of motor vehicle accidents. When speeding, it’s easier to lose control of the vehicle, especially in poor weather and bad road conditions. Because of the extra force speed creates when hitting an object, speeding reduces the effectiveness of airbags and seat belts, while increasing the severity of the crash.
Medical Malpractice
Medical Malpractice happens when a medical professional’s negligence or lack of proper treatment directly causes the death of a patient.
Motor Vehicle
Car accidents and pedestrian deaths are some of the most common causes of wrongful death lawsuits. In a fatal auto accident wrongful death lawsuit, the victim’s family members must be able to provide proof that the at-fault driver demonstrated negligent or reckless behavior.
Workplace Accident
Wrongful death in the workplace involves an employee who was working at the time of their death.
James Alexander Law PRACTICE AREAS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit?
In New York, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate must file the claim on behalf of family members.
What damages can be recovered in a wrongful death claim?
Compensation may include funeral costs, lost income, medical bills, and loss of companionship.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim?
In New York, the statute of limitations for wrongful death cases is two years from the date of death.
