It can be difficult to comprehend the massive changes a catastrophic injury will have on your life. From future medical costs and lost earnings to personal pain and suffering, catastrophic injuries are life-altering in countless ways. It is critical to speak with a personal injury lawyer in San Francisco to help you protect your rights in this situation.
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in San Francisco, contact Jacoby & Meyers before agreeing to anything with an insurance company. Our experienced San Francisco catastrophic injury attorneys can help with your claim to get you the justice you deserve. Initial consultations are free.
Why Choose Our Lawyers for Your Catastrophic Injury Claim in San Francisco?
- Our law firm has collected more than $2 billion in settlements for clients and has over 50 years of experience representing clients in California. We have helped tens of thousands of clients seek justice for life-changing injuries.
- We provide high-quality legal representation without charging the client directly. The San Francisco catastrophic injury lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay us anything unless you win your catastrophic injury case.
- Clients trust us with their most serious injury cases because we take pride in handling every case with the same exceptional level of care. Our team of attorneys, experienced litigators and case managers are on your side.
Do I Need to Hire an Attorney?
In general, it is in your best interest to contact a San Francisco catastrophic injury lawyer if you suffer a serious or catastrophic injury in a preventable accident in San Francisco. The nature of these injuries means you will likely have ongoing losses and expenses. Without help from an attorney during negotiations, you are likely to settle for less than you deserve from an insurance company.
Insurance providers do not want to maximize payouts, even for significant injuries. They will use tactics designed to take advantage of the injured in their time of need. The best way to protect your legal rights during settlement negotiations is by retaining an attorney to advocate for you.
An attorney will carefully investigate your accident to search for evidence of negligence and determine the liable parties. Your lawyer will explore all possible avenues for insurance coverage and financial compensation. Then, your attorney will use aggressive settlement negotiations or take your case to court in San Francisco County to help you achieve the results you need.
Suffered a Serious Injury?
Our Experienced San Francisco Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Are Here To Help
What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?
In the context of personal injury law, a catastrophic injury is one that significantly affects the victim’s life, such as by impacting independence or impeding the ability to earn a living. Any significant or permanent impairment of a bodily function, loss of the use of an important body part, or long-term disability can constitute a catastrophic injury.
Common examples include:
- Multiple broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Brain damage
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis (paraplegia, quadriplegia, etc.)
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage or loss of function
- Severe burn injuries
- Vision or hearing loss
- Permanent scarring or physical disfigurement
- Amputation (loss of limb or digit)
There is no strict or specific definition of “catastrophic injury” in law. Any serious or significant injury may be called catastrophic during a claim and lead to a damage award that matches the extent of the victim’s losses, depending on the circumstances.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in San Francisco
A personal injury claim can be filed for a catastrophic injury if someone else’s negligence or lack of proper care caused the injury. Many life-threatening accidents take place in San Francisco every year due to negligence, carelessness and reckless behaviors:
- Car accidents
- Large truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Serious falls
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Defective products
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Medical malpractice
- Physical assaults and acts of violence
If you aren’t sure whether your catastrophic injury gives you grounds to file a personal injury claim in California, tell your story to a lawyer at Jacoby & Meyers during a free consultation. Our San Francisco catastrophic injury lawyers will help you understand your legal rights.
How Much Is a Catastrophic Injury Case Worth in San Francisco?
The value of a catastrophic injury case is something that’s specific to the unique claim and individual. There is no single amount or equation used to calculate case values. Instead, a settlement or judgment award is decided based on the circumstances, such as the severity of the victim’s injury and level of impact on his or her life.
Economic (Special) Damages
Special damages are the monetary losses directly resulting from the accident and catastrophic injury. They often include present and future medical costs, lost wages, future lost earnings, property damage repairs, transportation, disability accommodations and out-of-pocket expenses. They are calculated using specific numbers from bills, receipts, wage statements and assessments from life care planners.
Non-Economic (General) Damages
General damages are the non-monetary losses suffered by the accident victim, also known as “pain and suffering.” They can refer to physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, psychological trauma, depression, anxiety, loss of enjoyment or quality of life, permanent scarring or disability, and loss of consortium. They are decided based on the gravity of the victim’s injuries.
Punitive (Exemplary) Damages
Some clients are also eligible for punitive damages during catastrophic injury claims in San Francisco. However, these additional damages are reserved only for cases where the defendant committed a significant wrongdoing, such as drunk driving or malicious intent to harm. In these situations, a judge may award exemplary damages to punish the defendant.
Contact Our San Francisco Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Today
You only have one chance to recover the financial compensation you deserve for a catastrophic injury in San Francisco. Don’t risk your future. Work with the attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers for top-tier legal representation during this difficult time.
You can trust our San Francisco catastrophic injury lawyers to get you the medical treatment, property repairs and case results that you need to restore your life. We will work for you to manage, maintain and execute the necessary work for your high-stakes case. We will stay in touch with you every step of the way so that you’re never left in the dark.
Learn more about how we can help you with a catastrophic injury claim during a free initial case evaluation. Send us a message or call (415) 855-4289 anytime to request your meeting. Our nearby law office is conveniently located at 50 California Street, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94111.