Any accident resulting in a permanently disabling or disfiguring injury is a life-changing ordeal. It’s even more heartbreaking knowing that the incident was preventable if not for someone else’s carelessness. In these situations, you have the right to demand compensation from the person responsible for harming you. However, getting a fair settlement offer or court verdict can be next to impossible without professional legal guidance.
Even if insurers seem kind and caring—and they often do—they are not on your side and will not offer you what you deserve. They count on the fact that you probably are not aware of all of your rights following a serious injury. A St. Louis catastrophic injury lawyer at OnderLaw knows the value of your claim. Our dedicated injury attorneys will stand up to the insurance companies and defense attorneys trying to manipulate you into accepting a lower amount.
We understand how traumatic these injuries can be and will stand by your side at every stage of your recovery. Our firm is dedicated to serving injured members of the St. Louis community and helping our neighbors when they need it most.
Missouri state law does not explicitly define a catastrophic injury. That said, court authorities and legal professionals generally agree that an injury is catastrophic if it results in permanent and debilitating harm. Common examples of these injuries include:
Catastrophic injuries are expected to last a lifetime and significantly hinder the victim’s physical or cognitive capabilities. These cases often involve substantially more compensation than other personal injury lawsuits, as a catastrophically injured person will deal with the effects of their accident for the rest of their life.
It’s often necessary to seek payments for years of projected losses and expenses, such as lost earning ability, future medical costs, and lost enjoyment of life. Our skilled St. Louis attorneys will evaluate the full impact of a catastrophic injury and ensure a victim gets the compensation they need to live a comfortable life.
Sadly, many insurance companies and defense attorneys will try to blame a victim for their own injuries to avoid paying compensation. Missouri follows what’s called a pure comparative fault system for personal injury cases. This means that a victim may receive reduced compensation if they are found partially at fault for their accident. The St. Louis lawyers at OnderLaw can fight allegations of partial fault to protect a catastrophic injury victim’s right to full compensation.
Another obstacle that can hinder a catastrophic injury lawsuit is the five-year filing deadline set by Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120. This deadline applies to most personal injury cases, including those for catastrophic accidents. Regardless of how much time has passed since the accident, a victim or their family should contact our catastrophic injury attorneys to discuss the situation. The sooner we begin working on a case, the better the chances of a positive outcome.
No amount of money can fully account for the devastating impact of a permanent injury. However, civil litigation may be the only way of getting the payments you need for necessary medical treatments and a comfortable life moving forward.
At OnderLaw, our St. Louis catastrophic injury lawyers are so much more than just your legal advocates. We will be on your side and by your side throughout your medical recovery, fighting for your best interests in court and supporting you however we can. Give us a call today. We are ready to listen to your story and take up your cause.
