Albuquerque Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

The word injury is non-descriptive because there are so many different types of injuries that it needs another word to be complete and describe just what type of injury it is. Minor injuries typically need first aid and time to heal, while serious injuries could require more extensive medical attention. Some injuries are so severe that they are called catastrophic injuries. These are the injuries that could permanently change your life.

If you or a loved one have suffered a life-altering injury, you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party, and an Albuquerque catastrophic injury lawyer could help you with this pursuit. The personal injury attorneys at Duran & McDonald have been helping the local community recover compensation for them and their families since 2010 and could provide you with the same dedicated attention.

Defining a Catastrophic Injury

There is no legal definition of a catastrophic injury that the court uses, and there is no one way to define this type of injury. Rather, the word catastrophic is used to describe an injury so severe that it causes a permanent change to someone’s life.

A traumatic brain injury, for example, could result in long-term cognitive dysfunction or challenges to someone’s capacity to take care of themselves. A spinal cord injury could lead to full or partial paralysis of the arms or legs, and the person must accommodate for their limited mobility. A catastrophic injury could also refer to the kind of permanent scarring or disfigurement that the person must live with for the rest of their life.

Some catastrophic injuries may not be as devastating as a brain or spinal cord injury but still result in life-long changes. A person who becomes blinded or deafened must adjust their everyday lives and may lose out on things they once enjoyed.

Because these injuries result in permanent alterations, a person may pursue a claim for damages from the at-fault party to help compensate for their new life. A knowledgeable Albuquerque attorney could help a person who sustained a catastrophic injury pursue the maximum amount they are entitled to receive.

Potential Compensation for a Catastrophic Injury

Just like other personal injury cases, a catastrophic injury victim could be entitled to claim monetary damages from the at-fault party. The most common forms of monetary damages are things like hospital bills, ongoing medical expenses, the costs of rehabilitation, and lost wages. Because some catastrophic injuries result in permanent disabilities, a victim may also be able to pursue compensation to pay for prosthetics and home renovations to accommodate their new lifestyle.

Non-monetary damages may also be available, though these are more challenging because they are harder to assign a dollar figure. Regardless, a person could pursue a claim for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and the loss of enjoyment of life.

The types of damages that could be available are determined on a case-by-case basis and rely on the extent and severity of the victim’s injuries. Anyone in Albuquerque who has suffered a devastating injury should consult with an attorney to better understand their options.

Time Limit to File a Claim in New Mexico

New Mexico places a time limit on when a personal injury claim must be filed, known as a statute of limitations. The New Mexico Statutes § 37-1-8 specifies that a claim must be filed within three years after the injury.

If a claim is filed after this three-year limit, it becomes difficult to recover compensation for the injury. That is why catastrophic injury victims should contact an Albuquerque attorney as soon as possible.

Call an Albuquerque Attorney if You Have Been Seriously Hurt

Suffering from a disastrous injury that leaves you unable to continue your life as it used to be can make you feel helpless. An Albuquerque catastrophic injury lawyer could help you get through the toughest stages of the legal process and get you the compensation you deserve.

Duran & McDonald could provide dedicated attention to your case and recovery. Call our firm to discuss your case.