Catastrophic injuries are life-changing events – not only for the victim, but for the victim’s family, as well. Those affected by catastrophic injuries in Minneapolis are suddenly faced with exorbitant medical costs, significant care needs and uncertainty about the future. It can help people suffering under the weight of this burden to know that they don’t have to carry it alone.
At Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC, our team of Minneapolis personal injury lawyers has been trusted with high-stakes catastrophic injury claims for clients throughout Minnesota for over 20 years. We are top-rated local attorneys who have successfully recovered over $200 million in financial compensation for clients. Find out how we can help you during a cost-free case review.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury refers to an injury that inflicts serious, long-term or permanent harm on the victim, such as physical or cognitive impairment, a disability, the inability to work, or the loss of the victim’s ability to live independently. It can refer to any of the following:
- Long-term or permanent disability
- Loss of an important bodily function
- Broken bones
- Organ damage or failure
- Significant scarring or disfigurement
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Third-degree burn injury
- Amputation
- Birth injuries
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Serious or chronic illness
- The loss of a fetus
- Fatal injuries and wrongful death
If an accident and injury lead to hospitalization, lengthy medical treatments, major effects on your daily life, or a short-term or long-term disability, you may have grounds to file a catastrophic injury claim in Minneapolis in pursuit of justice.
Signs You May Have a Catastrophic Injury
If you get involved in an accident in Minneapolis, you may have suffered a critical or catastrophic injury if you notice symptoms such as:
- Severe pain
- Loss of consciousness
- Heavy bleeding
- Trouble breathing
- Loss of feeling or function anywhere in the body
- Muscle weakness
- Changes in vision or hearing
- Obvious bone fractures
- Major burns
If you suspect a severe or life-altering injury, get emergency medical care right away. Prompt treatment can help you move forward with the medical care you need to make the maximum possible physical recovery.
How Goldenberg Lauricella Can Help After a Catastrophic Injury in Minneapolis
Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC has a reputation for providing clients with personal care and attention, open communication, and outstanding case results. We are attorneys who care. When you contact us about a catastrophic injury case in Minneapolis, we will listen and address your concerns. Then, we can provide legal advice that helps you choose the best path forward for you.
As your attorneys, we can thoroughly investigate your catastrophic injury accident to search for signs of negligence, or someone’s failure to act with appropriate care. From there, we can identify the correct defendant(s) or liable party/ies and collect evidence to support your case. We have connections to highly qualified experts who can testify and strengthen your claim.
Our local personal injury lawyers are dedicated to pursuing maximum case outcomes for clients who have suffered life-altering injuries. We will combat insurance company tactics during your catastrophic injury claim to help ensure a fair and full financial recovery that sees you through this difficult time.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota sees thousands of hospitalizations, serious injuries and deaths each year. According to citywide injury data, an average of 150 people die or suffer severe injuries in traffic accidents in Minneapolis annually. Car accidents are one of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries.
Top injury incidents include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products and medical devices
- Workplace and construction accidents
- Dangerous premises
- Dog attacks
- Slip, trip and fall accidents
- Abuse or acts of violence
Most circumstances that result in life-altering injuries in Minneapolis are preventable and can be traced back to negligence, carelessness, recklessness or intent to harm. In these situations, injured victims and their families may be eligible for financial compensation for their myriad related losses.
What Type of Compensation Can I Recover?
Catastrophic injuries often translate into high-value personal injury claims, large settlements and high-dollar jury verdicts in Minnesota. The nature of these injuries means significant losses suffered by those affected. Although every case is different, profound losses can result in settlements that exceed $1 million for a lifetime of related losses.
Available types of financial compensation may include:
- Past and present medical expenses
- Continuous therapies or rehabilitation
- Ongoing or around-the-clock care
- Prescription medications and medical devices
- Long-term or permanent disability expenses
- Lost wages and capacity to earn
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or psychological trauma
- Loss of quality or enjoyment of life
- Property damage repairs
- Loss of consortium (for family members)
- Wrongful death damages, if the injury is ultimately fatal
At Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC, we achieve life-changing results for life-changing injuries. Our past case results include a record $29 million verdict for a family whose son was born with cerebral palsy, a lifelong neurological disorder, due to medical malpractice. As your catastrophic injury attorneys, we will accurately calculate your damages and fight for the outcome you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Claim?
Don’t wait to explore your legal rights after being diagnosed with a catastrophic injury in Minneapolis. A law in Minnesota known as the statute of limitations (Minnesota Statutes §541.05) places a strict deadline on when a personal injury lawsuit must be filed.
Under this law, your time limit for pursuing compensation for a catastrophic injury depends on your type of accident:
- Motor vehicle accident: six years
- Medical malpractice: four years
- Product liability: four years
- Wrongful death: three years
- Sexual assault: depends on the age of the victim
- Government liability: 180 days
You must file within your time limit, or else risk losing your right to pursue financial compensation. Time limits can change – either shorter or longer – in special situations. Take prompt legal action to make sure you are well within your filing window.
Contact Our Minneapolis Catastrophic Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Dealing with a catastrophic injury can be extremely difficult on a financial, physical and personal level. If you are looking for legal guidance during this tough time, look no further than Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC.
We are a family-oriented law firm that has helped clients in Minnesota and nationwide since 1986. We are passionate about what we do and are truly in it for the people. Let us help you get the medical care you need, navigate a catastrophic injury claim and fight for a fair case outcome as your Minneapolis catastrophic injury lawyer. Contact our team of experienced attorneys today for a free catastrophic injury case consultation to learn more. Call (612) 333-4662 or contact us online for a prompt callback.