A catastrophic injury will completely alter your life. After suffering this type of injury, you will face a set of challenges you have never experienced before. However, one challenge you shouldn’t have to face is the financial burden this type of injury could place on your life. Hiring a catastrophic injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you need for your injury.
At Pacific West Injury Law, we understand how difficult life can become after a catastrophic injury. Our team of catastrophic injury lawyers in Spring Valley will work diligently to ensure you get the money you need both to cover your medical costs and adjust to the new reality you now face. Contact us today to get started with a free case review.
Who Is Liable for My Damages?
Before you can file a catastrophic injury lawsuit and begin pursuing damages after an accident, you must first determine who is at fault. If you are lucky, determining fault will be simple. However, in many cases, figuring out who is responsible for your damages can be a challenge. Fortunately, an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer will be able to help you sort things out.
What Happens During a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit?
When your lawyer begins investigating your case to determine liability, they will also look to collect evidence to support your claim. They will then proceed to assess your damages and calculate how much money you should be pursuing in a lawsuit. Once that is done, your attorney will draw up the necessary paperwork and file your lawsuit with the court.
After your lawsuit has been filed, the pretrial process will begin. Steps in the pretrial process include:
- Discovery
- Depositions
- Mediation
Discovery
Discovery is an essential step in the process of ensuring a fair trial. During discovery, both sides will share the evidence they have gathered. In this way, both sides can fully prepare to present their best case in court, without one side having the advantage of undisclosed evidence.
Depositions
Depositions are given at the end of the discovery process. A deposition is a recorded testimony given by a witness or a party involved in the incident. Depositions are recorded outside of the courtroom by a court stenographer. This testimony can be used at trial in various situations.
Mediation
Mediation is the last step during the pretrial process. During mediation, the two parties will meet with an independent third party who will attempt to work as a facilitator in negotiating a settlement agreement. A successful mediation will result in the end of your case and avoidance of a courtroom trial.
At every step of the pretrial process, your attorney will be in contact with the opposing party’s lawyers, attempting to negotiate a fair settlement deal. If at any point during the process, you are able to come to terms on a settlement with the opposing party, your case will end, and you will recover the compensation you agreed upon.
Recoverable Damages After a Catastrophic Injury
When you suffer a catastrophic injury, you will likely be able to recover significant compensation for a wide range of damages. These damages can all be sorted into three primary categories.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are any monetary losses you suffer as a result of your injury. Common economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Property damage
- Home or vehicle modifications needed to accommodate a disability
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are all the other losses you suffer as a result of your accident. Common non-economic damages include:
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring and other disfigurements
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not awarded for any losses suffered by an accident victim. Instead, punitive damages are meant as a punishment for the liable party. Punitive damages are only awarded in a small percentage of cases where the at-fault party acted in a manner that was criminally negligent.
Statute of Limitations for Filing a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit in Nevada
Under Nevada law, accident victims have two years to file a catastrophic injury lawsuit after getting hurt. Failure to file within this time frame could result in the loss of your right to recover compensation. However, it is important to note that special circumstances may apply to your case, which would extend the amount of time you have to file your lawsuit beyond two years.
At the same time, special circumstances can also diminish the amount of time you have to file. The best way to ensure you meet all deadlines is to hire an experienced catastrophic injury attorney as soon as possible after suffering your injury.
Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
People are often wary of hiring lawyers because they fear they can not afford to do so. Fortunately, you shouldn’t have to worry about cost when hiring a catastrophic injury lawyer. Unlike other attorneys, these types of lawyers do not charge a high hourly rate. Instead, they charge their clients based on results.
When you hire a catastrophic injury attorney, you will agree to pay them a fixed percentage of the money you recover from the liable party. This fee will be the only money that your attorney will receive for their services. With this setup, your attorney will not get paid unless you recover compensation for your damages.
You can feel confident that your lawyer will do whatever they can to ensure you recover as much money as possible for your case since the more you get the more they receive.
Talk to a Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Spring Valley Today
At Pacific West Injury Law, we are committed to helping our clients recover fair compensation for their injuries. We know how critical recovering compensation can be after a catastrophic accident. Contact us today by phone or through our online contact form to schedule a free case review.
