Did you or a loved one sustain a catastrophic injury in an accident in Jacksonville, FL? If someone else was at fault, you could be entitled to significant compensation.
The Jacksonville catastrophic injury lawyers at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyer offer the compassionate yet fierce legal representation you need during this difficult time.
Our award-winning attorneys have more than 80 years of combined trial experience. We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for clients to compensate them for medical bills, lost wages, and suffering due to life-altering accidents.
We offer free consultations, so there’s no risk to you. Contact our law office, conveniently located in Jacksonville, Florida, today at (904) 396-1100 to let us explain your legal options.
How Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Catastrophic Injury in Jacksonville
When you and your family are dealing with the aftermath of a tragic accident, you need time to rest and recover. The last thing you need to do is worry about dealing with insurance companies or where the money is going to come from for your medical bills. That’s where Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help take the burden off of you.
When you hire our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers, we can:
- Launch a full investigation into your case
- Locate and interview witnesses
- Work with experts to calculate your damages accurately
- Handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Front all costs for your lawsuit (you only pay if we win your case)
- Send an award-winning trial lawyer to fight for you in court, if necessary
We want you to know we’re here for you every step of the way. We answer all your questions, make sure you understand any choices that you need to make, and we help make the process as easy on you as possible.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is one that is so severe that it fundamentally changes the victim’s life in some way. It’s defined specifically in a couple of Florida statutes, such as those governing medical malpractice and criminal procedure.
A catastrophic injury is generally one that causes long-term or permanent impairment due to:
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Amputation and loss of limbs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe burns
- Blindness
- Severe damages to or loss of reproductive organs
A catastrophic injury can, of course, sometimes lead to death. In that case, a spouse or parent could file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation.
What Causes Catastrophic Injuries?
Nearly any accident can result in a catastrophic injury. Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers has extensive experience with extremely complex and, unfortunately, devastating cases.
Catastrophic injuries can result from:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Bus accidents
- Golf cart accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Accidents involving defective products
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Negligent security
- Nursing home abuse
- Uber & Lyft accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- And more
Tragic accidents often have multiple causes. That means more than one party could be forced to pay you financial compensation for their mistakes. No matter the cause, we are ready to take on multiple defendants if necessary.
What is My Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?
In truth, each case varies.
According to the Christopher Reeves Foundation, the estimated lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury for a 25-year-old victim can range anywhere between $1.5 and $4.7 Million. Other catastrophic injuries that fundamentally alter a victim’s ability to live likely have similar lifetime costs.
Ultimately, the value of your case will depend on several factors specific to your accident, such as:
- The severity of your injuries
- How your injuries affect your ability to maintain employment
- The extent of rehabilitation possible
- The extent to which your daily activities are limited (eating, bathing, walking)
- The effect your loss of income will have on your family
- Whether you were in any way partially at fault for the accident
These are just a few factors. With hundreds of cases under our belt, we know how to get into the details that matter to help give you the best chance to get every dollar you deserve.
We take great pride in treating each case with care, compassion, and patience. We know that you need to feel comfortable telling your story. And we’re truly interested in hearing from you how your injuries have affected your life.
What Compensation Can I Recover For My Catastrophic Injury in Jacksonville, Florida?
The cost of a catastrophic injury can be devastating to a family. A recent study indicates that financial strain due to medical issues contributed to 66.5% of all bankruptcies in the U.S.
That’s why it’s so important to have the right Jacksonville personal injury attorney fighting for you.
You’ll typically be able to seek compensation for all damages, including economic and non-economic.
Economic damages help cover things like:
- Medical care
- Nursing and personal care
- Medication
- Medical devices or equipment
- Lost wages
These compensate you for monetary losses caused by your injuries.
Non-economic damages compensate you for less tangible losses, such as:
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- PTSD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life activities
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- And more
These can be somewhat more difficult to calculate than the items with a corresponding receipt or invoice. But we rely on a trusted network of experts who help us estimate the value of these losses.
In rare cases, punitive damages could be available. They’re only awarded in cases where the defendant acted intentionally or with reckless disregard for your safety. If your case meets the criteria, we’ll certainly pursue punitive damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for Catastrophic Injuries in Florida?
The deadline for most personal injury lawsuits in Florida was recently changed. You’ll have four years if you sustained your injury on or before 3/23/2023, and two years if your injury was incurred after that date. You also have just two years if you’re filing a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a loved one.
We highly recommend consulting an experienced Jacksonville catastrophic injury attorney at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers as soon as possible after your injury. These accidents are often extremely complex, with personal injury claims against multiple parties.
Depending on the circumstances, you could be required to meet shorter deadlines. The sooner we can start on your case, the better chance you’ll have to get the full compensation you deserve.
How Do I Win My Catastrophic Injury Case?
Most accidents are preventable. That means negligence is the basis for most personal injury cases, including those with catastrophic injuries. Negligence is the legal theory that holds people financially accountable when they carelessly cause harm.
To prove negligence, you’ll have to prove each element of negligence: (1) duty; (2) breach; (3) causation; and (4) damages.
The Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers legal team has extensive experience litigating complex injury cases. We carefully analyze and select evidence that best supports your case.
We may use any combination of:
- Eyewitness testimony
- Maintenance records
- Medical records
- Employment records
- Police reports
- Toxicology reports
- Forensic analysis
- Video footage
No two cases are alike. You can count on us to put together a strategic case that puts you in the best position for a winning case.
What Happens If I’m Blamed For My Catastrophic Injury?
Florida has a modified comparative fault rule in place with a 51% bar to recovery. This means that your ability to recover compensation for an injury if someone else tries to blame you for getting hurt. That is, as long as you’re not assigned most of the blame.
Sharing liability will reduce how much money you’re ultimately able to get for your catastrophic injury. Your financial award will be reduced in direct proportion to your share of the blame. If you’re 30% at fault, your damages will be reduced by 30%. And if you’re 51% or more at fault instead, you’ll be barred from recovering compensation.
Insurance companies love to blame the victim – especially when a high-value catastrophic injury case is on the table. Don’t let them – or others – push you around and force you to accept blame that’s not yours. Hiring a lawyer with experience handling these complex legal matters can protect you and your ability to maximize your financial recovery.
Call Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your case and learn more about how our compassionate and effective legal team can help you get all of the money you deserve.
Contact Our Jacksonville Catastrophic Injury Lawyers For a Free Consultation
If you or a family member suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve top-rated legal representation. The Jacksonville catastrophic injury lawyers at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers are the ones you’ll want on your side after a tragic accident.
We know what it takes to win complex, highly-contested cases. We are in it for the long haul with you. Call our Jacksonville personal injury law firm today for your free consultation.
Our personal injury law firm in Jacksonville, FL also provides:
- Bicycle Accident Attorney in Jacksonville
- Boating Accident Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL
- Car Accident Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL
- Dog Bite Accident Lawyer in Jacksonville
- Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL
- Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Jacksonville, FL
- Product Liability Lawyer in Jacksonville
- Slip and Fall Accident Attorney in Jacksonville
- Truck Accident Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL
- Uber Accident Lawyer in Jacksonville, FL
- Workplace Accident Lawyer in Jacksonville
Jacksonville Catastrophic Accident Client Review
Jacksonville Emergency Rooms
- Emergency – Ascension St. Vincent’s Southside Hospital – 4201 Belfort Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32216
- Baptist & Wolfson Town Center Emergency Room (ER) – 4085 Town Center Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32246
- Memorial Hospital Emergency Room – Emergency Entrance, 3635 University Blvd S, Jacksonville, FL 32216
- Memorial Emergency Center – Mandarin – 10910 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223
- Emergency – Ascension St. Vincent’s Arlington – 9820 Hutchinson Park Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32225
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