Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Ottawa

Understanding Catastrophic Injuries

The term catastrophic injury carries serious weight when it comes to personal injury law in Ottawa. The legal designation of catastrophic injury – or catastrophic impairment – is addressed by the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) and is used only for the most serious injuries. This designation plays a critical role in personal injury claims because it supports enhanced benefits for the injured person – in response to the profound losses they experience.

Incidents That Cause Catastrophic Injuries

Nearly any kind of serious accident can cause a catastrophic injury, but some kinds of accidents are more closely associated than others. Traffic crashes are a prime cause of catastrophic injuries, and nearly any kind of auto accident, including each of the following, can suffice:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Boating accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bus accidents
• ATV accidents
• Snowmobile accidents

Regardless of the kind of accident that you were injured in, a skilled catastrophic injury lawyer in Ottawa can help.

Consequences of Catastrophic Injuries

The overarching consequences of a catastrophic injury can be difficult to overstate. Catastrophic injuries don’t just affect accident victims but can also directly impact their families and their support systems, including friends and loved ones. In fact, catastrophic injuries tend to have a ripple effect that can radiate out into all areas of the injured persons’ lives.

To begin, the injured party has suffered serious physical consequences, which go hand in hand with emotional effects. The designation of catastrophic means that the accident victim has suffered a serious injury that can lead to lifelong concerns, which can include the need for round-the-clock care, assistance with the activities of daily living, physical adaptations for accessibility in the home, and beyond. Secondary health issues are another common problem, which can include chronic pain. In other words, the physical and emotional damages a victim experiences in an accident that causes a catastrophic injury can be impossible to exaggerate.

The catastrophic injury can also take a serious toll on the accident victim’s family and support system. For example, family members may ignore their own health concerns as they focus on caring for their seriously injured loved one. Further, the emotional and mental stress involved with providing full-time care can be difficult to shoulder. Finally, family members of those who suffer catastrophic impairments are more vulnerable to mental health issues of their own, including depression, increased anxiety, social isolation, panic attacks, survivor’s guilt, and substance abuse.

Expertise in Catastrophic Injury Law

Personal injury cases that involve catastrophic injuries are legally complex, which makes proceeding with the skilled legal guidance of an experienced lawyer the best course of action. If you can prove that you suffered a catastrophic injury as a result of another party’s negligence, you’re entitled to enhanced accident benefits in each of the following categories:

• Medical and rehabilitation benefits
• Attendant care benefits
• Housekeeping and home maintenance benefits
• Potential benefits related to case management services

In the process of securing the benefits you deserve, however, you can expect the involved insurance company to do what it can to limit your compensation. This is why you need expertise in catastrophic injury law in your corner from the start.

There are a range of challenges associated with accident benefit claims that relate to catastrophic impairments, and they’re predicated on the increased amount of benefits involved. Consider the following:

• Insurers often dispute the catastrophic injury designation in an attempt to keep settlements lower.
• Certain kinds of injuries are prone to evolving into the catastrophic range over time. For example, a TBI that doesn’t immediately meet the threshold for a catastrophic injury may progress into a catastrophic impairment with time.
• Catastrophic injuries are complicated injuries that can be difficult to assess without extensive input from a range of medical specialists, which makes proving that an injury is catastrophic that much more challenging.

Without the legal expertise of a catastrophic injury lawyer backing you up, obtaining just compensation that supports a fuller recovery for you could be completely out of reach.

Benefits of Working with Ottawa Catastrophic Injury Lawyers

Working with a resourceful Ottawa catastrophic injury lawyer comes with a wide range of important benefits that can make a serious difference in the outcome of your claim and in your overall recovery. To begin, you can expect your seasoned catastrophic injury lawyer to help guide you smoothly through the personal injury claims process. This includes helping you avoid the mistakes that too many victims fall prey to, such as posting on social media while your claim is processing or saying more than is advisable to the insurance company.

Your accomplished lawyer will also ably build a strong claim on your behalf that clearly identifies the full scope of your covered losses and will skillfully negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement that reflects your legal rights. Finally, if the involved insurance company is not inclined to offer a just settlement, your Ottawa personal injury lawyer will be well prepared to address the matter in court.

Recoverable Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Claim

The losses you can recover on if you suffered a catastrophic injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence reflect the immense consequences you’ve experienced, and as a result are likely to be considerable. The categories of loss addressed in catastrophic impairment insurance claims include all the following:

• Medical costs that can include the need for long-term medical care and rehabilitation
• Lost wages, which can include the cost of vocational retraining or rehabilitation
• Modifications to your home that improve accessibility for you
• Psychological support for you and your family – as applicable

A catastrophic injury can mean a lifetime of costly needs, and the law recognizes this fact.

What to Expect from Our Services

When you work with the compassionate catastrophic injury lawyers at Burn Tucker Lachaîne, you can expect our dedicated commitment to your case and to your recovery. This includes working closely with medical experts to establish that your injury meets the catastrophic designation while guiding you through the challenging assessment process, which can include all the following:

• Highly specific and detailed medical exams
• Evaluations that relate to functional capacity
• A careful review of your medical records and diagnostic imaging
• Neuropsychological assessments – in the event of a brain injury

We are also fully prepared to tirelessly advocate for your rights and for a settlement with the insurance company that fairly reflects the damages you’ve suffered. We appreciate the degree to which your life has been affected by another person or entity’s negligence, and we will spare no effort in our quest to support you and your recovery. This includes exploring and skillfully attempting to secure all the benefits to which you’re entitled.

Catastrophic injury claims are among the most serious personal injury cases, and we have the legal insight and skill to create a strong claim on your behalf that is difficult for the insurance company to dispute. And if they won’t settle fairly, we also have a wealth of experience successfully handling cases like yours in the courtroom. In short, you can expect us to champion your rights throughout the challenging legal process – in focused pursuit of a case resolution that benefits you.

Our Approach to Catastrophic Injury Cases

At Burn Tucker Lachaîne, we take an individualized approach to every catastrophic injury case we handle. This includes conducting an exhaustive investigation into the circumstances involved, which generally means carefully consulting with medical specialists who have relevant expertise. Your case is unique to your experience, which will guide the path it follows.

Employing Clear Communication

We start by establishing clear communication that is designed to keep you informed of how your case is progressing throughout the legal process. Our focus is on providing you with the personalized support and attention you deserve, which leaves you in a much better position to make well-informed decisions in relation to your case as the need arises. Ultimately, we are well prepared to stand by your side, to fiercely advocate for your rights, and to support you along the way.

Tailoring Our Approach to Your Needs

Our well-respected legal team dedicates our practice to maximizing our clients’ compensation in the face of catastrophic injuries, and we’ll leave no stone unturned in our efforts to do the same for you. This involves strategizing a legal approach that is tailored to the unique specifics of your case.

Countering the Insurance Company’s Efforts

We are well versed in the tactics often used by insurance companies to keep settlements low, and we’re well equipped to effectively counter their efforts on your behalf. This comes down to establishing a solid claim that is built on compelling evidence and well-crafted arguments that support an advantageous claim resolution.

Why You Should Hire Our Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

At Burn Tucker Lachaîne, we’re proud to take a person-centered approach with every claim we handle and the benefits of doing so are considerable. Our goal is allowing you to be heard, which – in turn – better informs the work we do on your behalf. If you’ve suffered a catastrophic impairment due to another person’s negligence, you’re facing life-changing consequences that should be addressed fairly, and we can help make that happen. We are on your side and here for you, so please don’t put off reaching out and contacting or calling us at 613-777-3301 for more information about what we can do to help you today.