Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Newport News, VA
Injuries are a part of life, but while some only take a few weeks or months to recover from, “catastrophic” injuries are different. These types of injuries can completely uproot a person’s life, leading to hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt, chronic physical pain, emotional trauma, and other issues.
If you’ve suffered from a catastrophic injury due to another person’s negligence, it’s essential that you work with an attorney who understands these cases and knows how to advocate for compensation that accurately represents the damages you’ve suffered.
At Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law, our Newport News catastrophic injury lawyers have over 50 years of success fighting for victims of serious accidents, and we can provide your case with the attention and dedication it deserves.
What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury, and Why Do These Cases Demand Strong Legal Representation?
A catastrophic injury refers to an injury that results in long-term (and sometimes lifelong) disability and chronic pain. This may include amputations, spinal injuries, severe burns, paralysation, coma, or traumatic brain injuries.
Beyond the physical pain and limitations of a catastrophic injury, there are also many financial complications. Those who have suffered from a catastrophic injury often need to undergo expensive medical procedures, make in-home modifications or hire in-home assistance, purchase special medical devices, and may even be unable to work.
Catastrophic injury cases are not just about proving that another party was at fault for causing your injury, but ensuring that the full range of your losses is accounted for in your claim. That requires careful investigation and thorough documentation. A lawyer can handle these steps for you, and even bring in medical experts and other resources to help you build the strongest case possible.
Why Choose Huffman & Huffman To Handle Your Catastrophic Injury Claim in Newport News?
Huffman & Huffman has been helping Newport News residents navigate catastrophic injury cases since 1973, recovering millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. Our attorneys bring over 150 years of combined legal experience and access to critical resources, including expert witness testimony, thorough investigations, and established local professional relationships—all aimed at securing the best possible outcome for your case.
Types of Accidents That Can Result in Catastrophic Injuries
While any type of accident can cause a catastrophic injury, those that most often result in serious injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents, such as pedestrian, motorcycle, or bike accidents, or accidents caused by buses, cars, trucks, or even boats or planes
- Medical malpractice cases, including those that occur in nursing homes
- Premises liability cases, such as slip and fall accidents or dog bites
- Product liability accidents that arise from construction failures or contaminated medication, cosmetics, or food products
Types of Compensation You May Be Able to Recover
When your injuries are caused by the negligence of another party, you may be able to pursue compensation for both economic damages (those with a specific financial value) and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages may include medical expenses, the cost of long-term care or home modifications, and medical devices such as wheelchairs and wheelchair ramps. They may also include the value of wages that you would have earned if not for your injury, with consideration to potential raises or promotions.
- Non-economic damages, on the other hand, target the emotional hardship and physical pain associated with the injury. This can include the trauma of the accident itself and preceding conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression. It may also include disfigurement, chronic pain, loss of mental capacity, and the inability to socialize or take part in recreational activities.
As the damages in catastrophic injury cases are severe, insurance and the opposing parties will often go to extreme lengths in order to avoid being found liable, which frequently involves shifting the blame for the accident onto you.
It is crucial to understand that in Virginia, being found even 1% responsible for your injuries will make you ineligible to recover damages. This is due to what is known as “contributory negligence,” and it’s another reason why hiring a lawyer is so important.
How Fault is Proven in an Injury Case
Success in a catastrophic injury case is dictated by the amount of evidence available to the victim and their lawyer, as well as their ability to present this evidence in a way that demonstrates the liability of the other party. Examples of evidence you may be able to use include:
- Police reports or incident reports, particularly after car accidents and premises liability accidents.
- Medical records, including diagnoses, transcripts, prescriptions, and statements by medical professionals.
- Photos or video evidence that show the accident taking place.
- Statements by witnesses, experts, or, in some cases, friends and family.
Our attorneys can focus on gathering this evidence for you. Timeliness is key, however. If you’ve recently been in an accident, we recommend reaching out to us as soon as possible, as evidence can be lost over time. For example, surveillance footage that captured your accident may be automatically taped over if not recovered within a few months.
Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Newport News, VA: FAQs
How long do you have to file a claim?
Most victims in catastrophic injury cases have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. However, there are some circumstances that may increase or decrease the statute of limitations. In every case, it’s best to start the claims process as soon as possible so that no unforeseen issues prevent you from filing and that the evidence in your case is preserved.
How much does it cost to hire an attorney?
Our firm requires no upfront payment for our services. We only get paid when we win your case, and our fees are paid as a percentage of your settlement.
Do you have a catastrophic injury lawyer near me?
Huffman & Huffman is located at 12284 Warwick Blvd # 2A in Newport News. We also have several other locations throughout the Hampton Roads region.
Don’t Deal With a Devastating Injury On Your Own. Get Help From Huffman & Huffman Today
Suffering a catastrophic injury is one of the most traumatic events that a person can experience, and the long-term pain and emotional and financial hardships can last years or even a lifetime. You don’t have to go through it alone. Our catastrophic injury lawyers in Newport News are available to help you get the results you deserve. Remember, Huffman & Huffman offers free consultations, and there are no upfront costs to working with us.