Catastrophic Injuries are Devastating and Life Altering
Catastrophic injuries are devastating and life altering. After an accident, many serious injury victims are unexpectedly thrown into a world of unknowns and fear. Important questions suddenly demand answers that you might not have. These include:
- How will I pay my bills if I cannot work any longer?
- What should I do if the insurance company will not cover my accident?
- How can I get Social Security disability?
If another party’s negligent acts caused your serious or catastrophic injury, it is important to know you are not alone in your quest for physical, emotional, and financial recovery.
You do not have to struggle on your own any longer. We are here to help. Call Berger and Green today at 412-661-1400 to schedule your free, no-obligation case evaluation.
40+ years of experience from strong, knowledgeable, compassionate attorneys.
Start A Free EvaluationWhat Makes an Injury a Serious and Catastrophic Injury?
Pennsylvania car insurance laws define a “serious injury” as any injury leading to:
- Death;
- Serious impairment of body function; or
- Permanent serious disfigurement
While this definition applies specifically to car accident claims, there are many other ways to suffer injuries. And regardless of how they occur, many of these injuries can also have a significant impact on your life — either in the short term or over the next months or years.
Serious and catastrophic injuries often require immediate medical attention, and sometimes call for surgery, extended hospitalization, in-patient rehabilitation, and other extensive treatment. These injuries may include burns, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). While outcomes vary, some lead to permanent impairments including:
- Amputation
- Scarring
- Paralysis (e.g., paraplegia, quadriplegia)
- Physical and mental disabilities due to brain injury
Whether caused by a motor vehicle accident, construction accident, or another type of negligent act, you deserve compensation to cover your medical treatment, ongoing care costs, pain and suffering, and other losses. We understand that you need to focus on your physical and emotional health, so we will handle all aspects of filing your claim for you.
We know you’re hurting. We can help. Free case evaluations, home and hospital visits.
Contact Us Now For HelpWhat Should I do After a Pittsburgh Serious Injury Accident?
If you suffered a catastrophic injury, there are important steps you need to take to protect your right to compensation.
Take Care of Yourself: Your health must be your top priority. Get good medical help for your injuries. Make sure you attend all your doctor visits and follow his or her recommendations. If s/he writes you a prescription, fill it. If s/he orders tests, have them done. If s/he refers you to a specialist, keep the appointment. If s/he recommends treatment options, be sure to follow through.
Keep Good Records: Keep a notebook and write down a record of everything related to your accident. Record everything you remember from the day itself. If there is a police report or eyewitness accounts, try to get copies of them. Make note of doctor’s appointments and hospital visits on a calendar. Keep a journal of your symptoms, mood, lifestyle changes, etc. Keep copies of all your receipts, medical records, medical bills, and even parking fee receipts. All this information will help prove your case and establish damages when we file for your serious injury compensation.
Watch Who You Speak To: Speaking to the wrong person can jeopardize your claim. If the at-fault party’s insurer asks you to give a recorded statement, decline until you have spoken with one of our attorneys. The insurance adjuster might trick you into admitting fault or that your injuries are not as serious as you claim. This could leave you with nothing.
Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer: If you are facing huge medical bills, lost wages, or permanent disability, it is important to take care of yourself financially. Unfortunately, this is rarely an easy process. Dealing with insurance companies, medical bills, and Social Security disability paperwork is often daunting and overwhelming. That is why it is so important to find a personal injury lawyer you trust who also has extensive experience with serious injuries.
You need an attorney with the experience and dedication to give your case the care it deserves.
Start A Free EvaluationHow Can I get Compensation for My Catastrophic Injury?
We can settle most serious and catastrophic injury claims out of court by filing a third party liability claim based on the liable party’s insurance. We collect all available evidence to show negligence and fault in an accident, and to prove the damages you suffered. We build a strong case, giving us the upper hand in negotiating a fair settlement.
This is usually effective in getting our clients the money they need to cover their past and future losses. We also protect your rights to pursue legal action throughout this process. This means we can file a lawsuit against the person or company who caused your serious injuries if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.
It is important to note that car accidents work differently than other types of personal injury cases due to Pennsylvania car accident law. works differently. Pennsylvania’s “Limited Tort” option bars victims from recovering pain and suffering unless their injuries meet a specific severity threshold. This is where the state’s definition of “serious injury” comes from. A catastrophic injury should meet this threshold, allowing us to pursue additional compensation for your Pittsburgh car wreck injuries.
We can address all the legal hurdles that may be keeping you from getting a fair settlement.
Speak To An Attorney TodayDo I Need a Lawyer to get the Compensation I Deserve for My Serious or Catastrophic Injury?
A serious and catastrophic injury lawyer can be a real asset to your case. Any catastrophic or serious injury deserves significant compensation, which will be difficult to get without help from someone with knowledge of how these claims work and the tricks insurers try to pull.
At Berger and Green, we have been helping serious injury victims get the compensation they deserve for 40 years. Our attorneys know that your circumstances and needs are unique. We will work with you and your family to determine the best forward-looking solution to suit your needs.
We will handle your entire case so you can focus on recovery from your injuries. Our catastrophic and serious injury lawyers can assist you with any of the following:
- Fractures
- Burns
- Amputation
- Spinal cord injuries
- Scarring
- Paralysis
- TBIs
- Car accidents
- Truck wrecks
- Motorcycle collisions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Construction accidents
- Social security for a physical disability
- Long-term disability benefits
- Wrongful death
- Back and neck injuries
How Can I get Started on Filing a Claim for My Serious Injuries?
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, we can help. Please contact Berger and Green to speak with our serious injury lawyer and take the first step toward recovery and compensation: 412-661-1400.