Reliable Legal Counsel When You Need It Most
Suffering a catastrophic injury can quickly change the course of your life. Severe injuries usually mean months or even years of medical treatment, long-term or permanent disabilities, and significant disruptions to work and daily life. Beyond the physical pain, catastrophic injuries can take an emotional and financial toll on victims and their families, leaving them overwhelmed and confused. Have you suffered a serious injury caused by a devastating car accident, workplace incident, or the negligence of someone else? Knowing your rights and hiring the right legal counsel can be the key to getting the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Contact the team at BD&J 24/7 for top-of-the-line legal representation after a life-changing injury.
What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?
In California, a catastrophic injury is one that involves long-term or permanent disability and impacts the victim’s ability to work or perform daily tasks. These serious injuries can result in the need for long term rehabilitative care, home renovations to accommodate disabilities, or the need for daily caregivers. Due to the nature of these injuries, they often impact family members of victims as well. If you or a loved one have suffered a life-changing injury, call the BD&J catastrophic injury lawyers in Bakersfield to learn about your rights and the compensation you are entitled to.
Examples of Catastrophic Injuries
Since catastrophic injuries are defined by the impact they have, many injuries could be considered catastrophic if they are severe. However, there are types of injuries that are almost always considered catastrophic. The most common catastrophic injuries we see at BD&J include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
- Amputations
- Severe Burns
- Loss of Hearing or Sight
- Organ Damage or Internal Injuries
Not listed here are the invisible, emotional injuries victims may face such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because of the lasting impacts of catastrophic injuries, emotional damage is common in these cases. The Bakersfield catastrophic injury attorneys at BD&J will evaluate clients for psychological impacts and include these non-economic damages in your claim. They can also help connect clients with medical and mental health professionals that can provide support during this difficult time.
Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Bakersfield
The leading industries in Bakersfield — oil and gas, agriculture, and manufacturing — all involve a high likelihood of catastrophic injury. This is mostly due to their regular use of large, dangerous equipment and unique environmental factors. Bakersfield also falls along a trade route, bringing in additional traffic and risk. These factors correspond to the leading causes of catastrophic accidents in the area.
- Motor vehicle accidents – Includes car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents especially on the 5 and highway 99.
- Workplace Accidents – The construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and oil and gas industries have the most accidents in Bakersfield.
- Falls – These are most common on construction sites and are caused by improper scaffolding, inadequate fall protection, or slippery surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a Bakersfield catastrophic injury lawyer help with my claim?
Catastrophic injury lawyers help manage claims from start to finish. They take specific steps in this process to protect your rights and maximize the compensation you receive. The most important steps include thorough investigation and strategic negotiation. A careful investigation is key to finding evidence that proves negligence and demonstrates the severity of your injuries. Additionally, BD&J lawyers have been trained in aggressive negotiation tactics to counter any claim disputes from the insurance company. In the end, working with a catastrophic injury lawyer in Bakersfield is likely to double or triple the compensation you receive.
What damages can I recover in a catastrophic injury lawsuit?
After a catastrophic accident and injury, you have a right to compensation for damages. The damages you can recover typically include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, when an accident causes life-altering injuries, your catastrophic injury lawyer in Bakersfield will include additional damages like rehabilitation costs, future medical needs, loss of earning potential, and more when pursuing maximum compensation. These cases will likely also involve non-economic damages like emotional distress, trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
What is the average catastrophic injury settlement in Bakersfield?
Victims of catastrophic injuries in Bakersfield have won compensation ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. The amount victims receive depends entirely on the severity and impact of their injuries and the associated damages. For example, someone who experienced paralysis or amputation will likely receive more than someone who experienced multiple broken bones.
Do catastrophic injury cases usually go to trial or settle out of court?
The vast majority of catastrophic injury cases settle out of court, but occasionally complex cases come up that benefit from court proceedings. Cases generally go to court when a settlement cannot be reached, so – what keeps a catastrophic injury case from settling out of court? When major disagreements arise regarding liability or the extent of damages, a trial can help ensure victims get the compensation they deserve. Most Bakersfield catastrophic injury lawyers will work hard to reach a fair settlement to protect victims from difficult trials.
Compassionate Lawyers Dedicated to Helping Victims
The BD&J team of catastrophic injury attorneys in Bakersfield are dedicated to helping clients get to a new normal after a serious accident. We manage cases on your behalf, so that you can focus on recovery and avoid the stress of a complex claim. Our firm can also offer cash advances to help clients with medical bills while their case is processed. BD&J has served accident victims for more than 20 years, winning more than $2 billion* in compensation for thousands of happy clients. We will use every resource at our disposal to support you after a catastrophic accident.
Have you suffered a life-alerting injury caused by someone else’s negligence? You don’t have to face this physical and financial burden alone. Connect with BD&J’s trusted lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and speak with a legal expert about your case and your right to compensation.
