The average settlement for a catastrophic injury often includes compensation for medical bills, decreased earning capacity, and several other losses.
While it’s difficult to calculate how much your claim is worth without a lawyer’s help, you might find it useful to learn more about the economic and non-economic losses that the average catastrophic injury settlement covers.
Our Marietta catastrophic injury lawyers will assess your situation to determine how much you should receive from a claim. Let’s take a closer look at the average settlement for such an injury and the steps a lawyer will take to get the damages you deserve.
Why There Is No True “Average” Catastrophic Injury Settlement
If you or someone close to you has suffered a catastrophic injury, you’re probably wondering how much your claim is worth. The reality is that catastrophic injury cases are too complicated to be reduced to a single number.
Even injuries that seem similar on the surface can lead to very different outcomes depending on how they affect a person’s health, work, and other factors of their life.
A lawyer will review all your financial losses, assess the impact that the injury has on your emotional well-being, and look at other important factors to calculate how much your settlement should be.
The Average Settlement for Catastrophic Injury Includes Economic Damages
Economic damages reflect the financial losses caused by a catastrophic injury. Because catastrophic injuries often require ongoing care and permanently affect a person’s ability to work, these damages usually make up a significant portion of the claim.
The average settlement for a catastrophic injury generally includes compensation for the following economic losses:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospital stays
- Ongoing medical care, including surgeries, therapy, medications, and specialist visits
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Costs of necessary home or vehicle modifications
- Out-of-pocket expenses directly tied to treatment and recovery
Non-Economic Damages in Catastrophic Injury Cases
The average settlement for a catastrophic injury also usually includes compensation for non-economic losses. These damages address the intangible impact of a catastrophic injury; the losses that do not come with receipts but still affect your daily life.
These damages recognize how an injury changes the way a person lives, functions, and experiences the world. Depending on your unique situation, you could receive any of the following non-economic damages after a catastrophic injury incident:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and trauma related to the injury
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Disfigurement or scarring
Because these losses are personal and harder to quantify, they require careful explanation and documentation. A skilled attorney will work to present a clear picture of how the injury has impacted your quality of life so you get the catastrophic injury settlement you deserve.
How a Lawyer Will Help After a Catastrophic Injury
Catastrophic injuries often involve long-term medical care, permanent work limitations, and serious lifestyle changes. If you’ve suffered a serious injury, you deserve to receive compensation for your bills, pain, and other challenges. At a time like this, a lawyer will provide the representation you need to get a fair settlement.
Here’s what a skilled attorney will do to get the best results possible for you after a catastrophic injury incident:
- Assess your losses and calculate the value of your claim
- Investigate the accident you were injured in and gather evidence to prove fault
- Handle communications with insurance companies
- Negotiate a settlement that meets your needs
- Pursue compensation in court, if necessary
- Explain what the average settlement for a catastrophic injury is
- Keep you updated on your case throughout the claims process
Your attorney will work hard to create a complete picture of how your injury has changed your life. Whether you’re dealing with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury, or another serious condition, you can count on our experienced lawyers to pursue the settlement you deserve as you work to manage your injury and improve your quality of life.
Consult With a Lawyer at Jones & Swanson to Learn More About Catastrophic Injury Settlements
Severe injuries change lives in ways that are difficult to predict or measure. While it is natural to wonder what the average settlement for a catastrophic injury is, the true value of such a claim depends on the unique facts of the case and how the condition impacts the victim’s life as a whole.
Understanding how damages are evaluated can help set realistic expectations about the compensation you can get from a claim. At Jones & Swanson, we will evaluate your situation and fight for the damages and justice you deserve.
We have over 45 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $50 million for injury victims in Georgia.
Unlike the large firms you see on TV, Jones & Swanson remains small by choice. We are here to provide personalized service and help you move forward with your life. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and get started on your claim.
