Erie
Serious & Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

On This Page

1. Our Legal Team Can Manage Your Case from Start to Finish in Erie County
2. You May Be Eligible to File a Claim if You Suffered a Catastrophic Injury in PA
3. Injury Victims Can Recover Damages Through Personal Injury Actions
4. You May Also Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits
5. Plaintiffs Must Submit Their Cases in Accordance with the Statute of Limitations in PA
6. Hire an Erie Serious & Catastrophic Injury Lawyer from Berger and Green Today

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2022

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Some accidents result in minor injuries, like cuts and bruises, where victims can walk away and return to their daily lives. However, for other accidents, victims may suffer serious or catastrophic injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or a spinal cord injury, which changes lives forever. Serious and catastrophic injuries can permanently alter a person’s ability to move, live independently, or maintain relationships. 

If you or a loved one in Erie, Pennsylvania, suffered a serious injury in an accident, you may qualify to pursue compensation in a personal injury claim or lawsuit. An Erie serious & catastrophic injury lawyer from Berger and Green can serve as your legal advocate in court or negotiation meetings and fight for your right to financial recovery. We offer a free case evaluation when you call.

Our Legal Team Can Manage Your Case from Start to Finish in Erie County

When you hire an Erie personal injury attorney from our team to manage your case, our entire team works together to:

• Identify which party or parties may be held accountable for your injuries and damages
• Investigate your accident to identify potential causal factors and retrieve any evidence we may find
• Serve as your communication agent whenever the defendant or other parties reach out for a statement, therefore protecting you from accidentally admitting fault
• Calculate the total value of your damages, which may involve consulting expert witnesses such as economists, medical professionals, and vocational rehabilitation experts
• Update you whenever any developments affect your case or whenever your case moves forward
• Make efforts to negotiate an out-of-court settlement deal with the opposing party and advise you on when to accept a deal based on your damages
• Presenting your case argument in front of a judge and jury

Our team is also available to answer any questions or concerns you have about your case. You remain in control of the decisions you make, and we will respect them as your legal representative.

You May Be Eligible to File a Claim if You Suffered a Catastrophic Injury in PA

You may be eligible to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit if you suffered any of the following types of catastrophic injuries:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
• Burn injuries
• Amputation or other injuries resulting in a loss of limb
• Scarring injuries
• Paralysis

If you suffered another catastrophic mental or physical injury, you may still be eligible to pursue compensation. Our team can review your case and consult medical experts about your injuries to see how they affect your long-term health and lifestyle. We aim to hold the appropriate parties accountable.

Injury Victims Can Recover Damages Through Personal Injury Actions

Personal injury cases allow victims to demand compensation from liable parties. They must submit a demand letter listing their damages and provide a total figure that summarizes the value of their case. Compensatory damages generally fall under two categories:

• Economic damages: These damages encompass all your financial losses, such as medical expenses, income loss, and property damage costs. You may be asked to submit receipts, invoices, and other financial damages (e.g., tax forms) to prove the monetary value of your damages since these losses are tangible and measurable.
• Non-economic damages: These damages, sometimes referred to as “general damages,” involve physical, mental, and emotional damages. They do not have tangible costs. Non-economic losses may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability or physical disfigurement, and diminished quality of life.

In worst-case scenarios, victims may not survive the pain of their serious or catastrophic cases. In these instances, surviving families may file wrongful death cases to pursue additional damages, such as costs for funeral arrangements and loss of consortium. Our team will remain dedicated and sensitive to your situation and provide legal counsel where appropriate.

You May Also Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits

Depending on the severity of your injury, you may also qualify to file for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. An Erie Social Security Disability lawyer from our firm can help you determine whether you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI), then prepare your application.

If you are eligible for other benefits, such as veteran benefits or workers’ compensation, our team can inform you of these options. In some cases, individuals can apply for multiple types of benefits, provided the total amount does not exceed 80 percent of their average current earnings before their disability, as stated by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Plaintiffs Must Submit Their Cases in Accordance with the Statute of Limitations in PA

If you decide to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit, you must choose to do so within the timeframe set by Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations. Per Pa. C.S.A. § 5524, plaintiffs must file their case within two years of the date they suffered their serious or catastrophic injury. 

If you fail to submit your case by the statute of limitations, you may be barred from pursuing compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Without the threat of a lawsuit, you may lose leverage against the defendant during negotiations. So, it is crucial you act as soon as possible if you intend to pursue litigation.

Hire an Erie Serious & Catastrophic Injury Lawyer from Berger and Green Today

If you or a loved one suffered a serious or catastrophic injury in Erie, Pennsylvania, you may qualify to receive compensation for your damages. An Erie serious & catastrophic injury lawyer from Berger and Green can advocate for your right to recover your losses, then serve as your representative in court and other legal meetings. Our team has more than 40 years of experience and works hard to represent each client fairly.

Call our office today for a free consultation with one of our team members, who can discuss your options for pursuing legal action.