Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Denver
Affordable & Aggressive Representation for Victims of Negligence
Backed by decades of legal experience, the Law Office of Joseph A. Lazzara, P.C. can help victims of others’ carelessness or recklessness fight for their right to fair compensation. If you or a loved one have sustained catastrophic injuries in an accident, our attorney can provide high-quality and comprehensive legal representation. We understand how devastating catastrophic injuries can be for accident victims and their families, and we are committed to helping you maximize your compensation and minimize your liability.
Suffered a catastrophic injury in a negligence-based accident? Contact the Law Office of Joseph A. Lazzara, P.C. today—call (720) 809-8262.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
As defined by 42 U.S.C. § 3796, a catastrophic injury is an injury that “permanently prevent(s) an individual from performing any gainful work.” In simpler terms, catastrophic injuries include injuries that have a long-term, profound impact on the victim’s daily life and ability to work.
Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Birth injuries (i.e.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Internal organ damage
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Permanent loss of vision and/or hearing
- Permanent disfigurement
Negligence-Related Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
A person can sustain a catastrophic injury in any type of reckless or negligent accident. Common causes of these injuries are:
- Inadequate security incidents. Property owners should take steps to protect their guests and/or proprietors while on their property; this protection includes guests’ physical safety. If property owners do not have adequate security measures on their property, people can sustain TBIs, internal organ damage, or other injuries, in an attack (i.e. robbery, assault, etc.)
- Medical malpractice. Hospital patients may sustain injuries, such as burns, internal organ damage, (wrong limb) amputations, or paralysis because of negligence.
- Motor vehicle accident. Vehicular accidents can cause any number of catastrophic injuries. The type of injury sustained will depend on the type and size of the vehicles involved in the collision as well as how fast the vehicles were traveling, whether the victim was wearing a helmet or seatbelt, and other case specifics.
- Pedestrian accidents. If a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle or cyclist, they can suffer serious injuries, including paralysis, spinal cord damage, TBIS, or internal organ damage.
- Product defects. Dangerous or poorly manufactured products can cause severe burns, vision or hearing loss, and/or internal organ damage (depending on the type of product involved as well as the circumstances of the accident).
- Slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accident victims can sustain TBIs, spinal trauma, or amputations.
- Workplace accidents. People can be injured at their place of employment in slip-and-fall accidents, violence-related accidents, and other job-specific incidents. For instance, a food service employee can suffer severe burns in a frying accident; while a firefighter or construction worker can suffer from an amputation injury because of falling objects.
Compensation in Colorado Catastrophic Injury Cases
Victims can be compensated for their economic and noneconomic damages in their catastrophic injury cases. Financial compensation may cover:
- Ambulance fees
- Emergency room fees
- Past and future lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (for family members)
- Ongoing and future medical treatment bills
- Loss (or diminished) earning capacity
- Mental distress
- PTSD
It is important to note that noneconomic damages (i.e. pain and suffering, mental distress, and other damages with no clear price tag) are capped in personal injury cases. Under Colorado Revised Statute § 13-21-102.5, unless the court has “justification by clear and convincing evidence,” non-economic damages will be capped at $250,000 in civil suits excluding medical malpractice claims. The non-economic damages cap in medical malpractice cases increases to $300,000 (see C.R.S. § 13-64-302).
Why Work With Our Firm?
Catastrophic injuries can have lifelong repercussions on you and your family, and you don’t need the added stress and worry that comes with trying to handle a catastrophic injury suit on your own. You can trust the Law Office of Joseph A. Lazzara, P.C. to support you throughout the entire case and fight to achieve the best possible case results.
Why retain our services?
- Our attorney has over 25 years of legal experience.
- We have handled thousands of cases and hundreds of trials, and we can put this experience to use in developing an individualized case strategy for you.
- Our past clients trust us and are pleased with our services—see what they have to say for yourself.
- We offer each client personalized attention and counsel.
- We are committed to excellence and believe all clients are entitled to high-quality representation.
- We can handle the “heavy lifting” (i.e. the case legalities) while you take time to rest and recover.
Schedule a free initial consultation with our catastrophic injury attorney today by calling (720) 809-8262.