We represent individuals and families who have suffered catastrophic or serious bodily injuries, including those affecting the brain, spine, or spinal cord, as well as paralysis, amputation, severe burns, blindness, and other life-altering harm. Our attorneys handle complex cases arising from accidents, negligence, and criminal conduct, including matters involving:
- Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis and loss of limb
- Severe burns and disfigurement
- Wrongful death from catastrophic accidents
- Injuries arising from motor vehicle, transportation, and premises accidents
- Medical malpractice resulting in serious or permanent harm
Our team has represented clients in high-profile matters, including leadership roles in the NFL Players’ Concussion Injury Litigation.
Whether pursuing individual claims, civil lawsuits following criminal prosecutions, or insurance and tort claims, Seeger Weiss combines deep litigation experience with a commitment to securing full and fair compensation for clients facing life-changing injuries.
Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.
FAQ’s:
What Are the Types of Catastrophic Injury?
Common types of catastrophic injury include paralysis, scarring or serious disfigurement, loss of a limb, serious burns, blindness, and spinal cord injuries. By contrast, emotional or mental distress alone, minor cuts, scrapes or bruises without long-term impairment, and temporary physical injuries generally do not qualify as catastrophic.
How Can I Prove Serious Bodily Injury?
- Serious injury – The injury you sustained must constitute a serious injury to your body, as opposed to just a mental or emotional injury or a minor physical injury. The specific definition will depend upon the law in your state, and whether your case is criminal or civil.
- Causal connection – It must be established that your injury is clearly the result of the incident or accident that occurred. Difficulties can arise if there are pre-existing health conditions or medical treatment is not continuous.
- Get medical treatment – It is important to seek medical treatment after your accident or any other incident. Medical records are a critical aspect of proving your potential case.
- Take photos and videos of injuries and accident scene – Documenting your accident or other incident, and initial physical condition is important as this will preserve the scene and your injuries which may change with time.
- Keep records of all documents – You should ensure that any insurance, medical, police or other relevant documents are available to prove your case, particularly if you decide to file a lawsuit.
Who Can Sue for Serious Bodily Injury/Catastrophic Injury?
- Criminal prosecutions – If you’re the victim of a crime and are seriously injured, the charge may be elevated to a felony, such as robbery or assault in the first degree.
- Civil lawsuits from criminal cases – Victims of a felony with serious bodily injuries may file a civil lawsuit once the criminal case concludes.
- Insurance lawsuits – Whether you can sue depends on your state’s insurance laws. In the 12 no-fault states, including New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, injuries must meet the state’s serious-injury threshold. In at-fault states, damages are paid based on tort liability, and injured parties may sue for unrecovered economic damages.
- Medical malpractice – Catastrophic injuries from negligent or reckless surgical care may support a claim, though damages are capped in some states, and the statute of limitations is typically two to three years.
- Tort lawsuits – Injuries from another party’s negligence or intentional act can support a damages claim, with specific requirements varying by state.
What Compensation Can I Get?
Damages for serious bodily injury generally fall into two categories:
Economic Damages
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Medical costs and expenses
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
How Much Money Can I Recover?
Since serious bodily injuries have a long-term impact on the victim’s life, as well as the family, the amount of damages sought is generally high. The precise amount depends upon various factors that an experienced attorney can help decide. Some states limit the amount of damages that a plaintiff can recover, while other states, such as New York, do not have a limit on monetary damages.
Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.
