In personal injury law, there is a subset of injuries so severe they can only be described as catastrophic. A catastrophic injury is a life-altering, usually permanent injury involving the loss of use of a bodily system or function. Catastrophic injuries often require long-term medical care, including multiple surgeries, ongoing hospital stays, rehabilitation, and/or full-time assistance.

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury as a result of someone’s negligence, I can help you. Experiencing a catastrophic injury can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. It changes the course of your life, and the lives of your family members, forever. You and your family shouldn’t have to face the challenges alone. Call me today for a free evaluation of your injury claim. As a top Cleveland catastrophic injury lawyer, I’ll find out what happened and if your catastrophic injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, I’ll Make Them Pay!®

Catastrophic Personal Injury Claims

As a highly experienced personal injury lawyer, I have represented victims who suffered devastating, catastrophic injuries as a result of a:

• Traumatic Brain Injury

• Dog Bite

• Spinal Cord Injury

• Crush Injury

• Burn Injury

• Loss of Limb

• Injury to the Senses

Examples Of These Serious Injuries:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Concussion: A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or violent shaking of the brain inside the skull. It can lead to symptoms such as, headaches, dizziness, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating. This serious injury can affect the ability to perform daily tasks, work, and engage in physical activities until they have fully recovered.

Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): DAI is a severe traumatic brain injury that occurs due to the rapid deceleration or rotation of the head, causing widespread damage to nerve fibers in the brain. Individuals with DAI often experience prolonged unconsciousness, cognitive deficits, and may require long-term rehabilitation to relearn basic skills. This will significantly impact a victim’s independence and quality of life.

Contusion: A brain contusion is a localized bruise on the brain tissue resulting from a direct impact to the head. It can lead to various neurological impairments, such as motor deficits, sensory disturbances, and personality changes. A contusion can make it challenging for the a person to maintain regular routines and participate in social activities.

Penetrating Brain Injury: This type of traumatic brain injury occurs when an object, such as a bullet or a fragment, pierces the skull and enters the brain. Depending on the location and severity, it can cause permanent physical and cognitive disabilities, including paralysis, speech difficulties, and memory impairments. Victims may need ongoing support to manage and adjustment to daily life.

These are a few examples of brain injuries which may be caused by a catastrophic accident or due to someone else’s negligence. I have been a Cleveland catastrophic injury attorney for more than 40 years, and my experience will prove invaluable for recovering damages for lost wages and to pay for future medical bills. I’ll Make Them Pay!®

Dog Bite Injuries

Puncture Wounds: Puncture wounds occur when a dog’s teeth break through the skin and create small, deep holes. These wounds are painful and are prone to infection. As a result, medical treatment is often necessary to manage the puncture wounds. Injured victims often have difficulty performing daily tasks because of their wounds.

Tissue and Muscle Damage: Dog bites can cause significant tissue and muscle damage, especially if the dog applies strong pressure during the bite. Such injuries may result in limited mobility, chronic pain, and difficulty performing physical tasks. As such, these injuries ultimately impact quality of life and the ability to work.

Nerve Injuries: When a dog bite injures nerves, it can lead to symptoms such numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in the affected area. This can hinder fine motor skills and coordination, making it challenging to perform tasks that require precise movements.

Emotional Trauma: Dog bite injuries can have lasting psychological effects, including fear, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dog bite victims may avoid certain situations, or develop a fear of dogs, which can affect social interaction.

Infections: There is a risk of infection due to the bacteria in a dog’s mouth. If the wound is left untreated, the infection can spread, causing fever, fatigue, and even systemic complications. Infections may lead to an extended recovery period and potential disruptions to daily life.

If you were severely bitten by a dog and sought immediate medical care, it is in your best interest to file a catastrophic injury claim. You deserve compensation for your medical expenses, pain and emotional trauma. Call me today for your free consultation!

Spinal Cord Injuries

Complete Spinal Cord Injury: A complete spinal cord injury occurs when there is total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the injury. This results in paralysis and loss of sensation, leaving the victim wheelchair-bound, and necessitates assistance for most daily activities.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: This causes partial damage to the spinal cord, leaving some degree of sensation or motor function below the affected area. The extent of impairment varies, and you may experience weakness, limited mobility, or sensory deficits.

Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia): Tetraplegia occurs when the spinal cord is severed at the neck This results in paralysis of the arms, legs, and often the entire body below the neck. This injury leads to profound physical limitations, requiring extensive physical therapy and assistive devices for activities of daily living. This type of injury is typically caused by a serious accident or possibly due to medical malpractice. It is important to file a personal injury lawsuit to offset the life-long medical expenses and daily care.

Paraplegia: A spinal cord injury that affects the lower half of the body, typically the legs and sometimes a portion of the trunk. Individuals with paraplegia may experience challenges walking, and with balance, bowel and bladder control. Paraplegia necessitates the need for mobility aids like wheelchairs or braces to remain independent.

Spinal Cord Contusion: A bruise or injury to the spinal cord caused by a direct blow or impact to the spine. This can result in a wide range of symptoms, including muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and impaired sensation, affecting the ability to perform physical activities and participate fully in daily life.

If you need the help of a Cleveland personal injury attorney to seek damages after a spinal cord injury, you need to call me today, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®

Crush Injuries

Limb Crush Injury: This occurs when a body part, such as a hand or foot, becomes caught and compressed between heavy objects. This can result in severe damage to the affected limb, including broken bones, torn muscles, and damaged blood vessels. You may experience significant pain, reduced mobility, and potential long-term disabilities. Crush injuries often require surgical intervention and extensive rehabilitation to regain function and adapt to daily life with possible limitations.

Crush Syndrome: Crush syndrome occurs when a portion of the body, such as a limb, remains trapped under pressure for an extended period of time. Upon release of the pressure, toxic muscle cell components and electrolytes may enter the bloodstream.. This condition can cause acute kidney injury, electrolyte imbalances, and potential organ failure. The victim will need immediate medical attention, intensive care, and ongoing treatment to prevent further life-threatening complications.

Crush Injury to the Chest or Abdomen: Crush injuries to the chest or abdomen can cause severe damage to internal organs, leading to life-threatening conditions like pneumothorax (collapsed lung) or internal bleeding. An injury like this can impact the ability to breathe, causing respiratory distress, and may require emergency surgery. Extensive recovery time with limitations on physical activities and daily tasks is often required.

Crush Injury to the Spine: This can result in spinal cord damage, leading to various degrees of paralysis or loss of sensation below the level of the injury. Day-to-day life can profoundly change, requiring specialized medical care, rehabilitation, and adaptive equipment to manage physical limitations and to maintain independence.

Crush Injury to the Head: A crush injury to the head can cause severe trauma to the brain, leading to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) with potential cognitive, motor, and sensory impairments. Recovery from this type of injury if often very challenging, requiring extensive medical intervention, rehabilitation, and support from caregivers for everyday tasks and cognitive functions.

Catastrophic injury cases can be filed when a severe injury is caused by a motor vehicle accident, medical negligence, or work injury. You’ll need a highly experienced attorney who has a winning record in personal injury law cases, and that attorney is me. Call me to discuss your legal options.

Burn Injuries

First-Degree Burn: A first-degree burn is the least severe type of burn injury, affecting the top layer of the skin. It typically results in redness, pain, and mild swelling, but does not cause blistering. They may cause temporary discomfort performing day-to-day tasks until the burn heals..

Second-Degree Burn: This affects the outer and deep layers of the skin, causing redness, blistering, and severe pain. These burns often require medical attention to prevent infection and promote healing. Depending on the size and location of the burn, you may experience difficulty moving, and performing routine activities until the wounds are healed.

Third-Degree Burn: The most severe type of burn injury is a third-degree burn. The burn damages all layers of the skin and underlying tissues. These burns can result in a charred appearance, numbness, and a white or blackened texture. Third-degree burns necessitate immediate medical treatment, often requiring skin grafts and extensive rehabilitation. This can have a long-lasting impact on your daily life, leading to permanent scarring, physical disabilities, and challenges with mobility and self-care.

Inhalation Burn: Inhalation burns occur when a person breathes in hot or toxic gases during a fire, leading to damage to the airways and lungs. Inhalation burns can cause difficulty breathing and sometimes respiratory distress, which necessitates the need for urgent medical intervention. Inhalation burns can significantly affect your day-to-day life, leading to chronic respiratory issues, reduced physical capabilities, and the need for specialized medical care and support.

Electrical Burn: This type of burn results from contact with an electrical source, causing damage to the skin, muscles, and organs along the pathway of the electrical current. These burns can be complex and may not always reflect the full extent of the internal injuries. Recovery from electrical burns can be challenging, and require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and potential lifelong physical and sensory impairment.

If you want to be compensated for your injuries and medical costs, call me today and I’ll Make Them Pay!®

Loss of Limb

Loss of a Single Limb: Individuals who experience this type of limb loss often undergo rehabilitation and may be fitted with a prosthetic limb to restore some functionality. While the loss can be emotionally and physically challenging, with time and adaptation, individuals can relearn daily tasks and regain independence.

Bilateral Limb Loss: The loss of both arms or both legs. This can result from severe trauma, medical conditions, or congenital factors. Coping with bilateral limb loss can present significant challenges to mobility, self-care, and overall independence. This may require specialized prosthetics, assistive devices, and extensive physical therapy to learn new ways of performing daily activities.

Above-Knee Amputation: An above-knee amputation involves the removal of a leg to above the knee joint. This type of limb loss can lead to difficulties with walking, balance, and prosthetic fitting. Individuals must undergo intense physical therapy and rehabilitation to adapt to the changes and regain functional mobility.

Below-Knee Amputation: Below-knee amputation involves the removal of a leg below the knee joint. While individuals with this type of limb loss may have better functional outcomes compared to above-knee amputations, they still require rehabilitation and prosthetic assistance to maintain their mobility and perform daily tasks efficiently.

Upper Limb Loss: Upper limb loss, such as the loss of an arm or hand, can significantly impact a person’s ability to perform various activities of daily living, including self-care, working, and writing. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and advanced prosthetics can help individuals adapt to the upper limb loss and regain some independence.

Injuries to the Senses (Loss of Vision/Hearing)

Visual Impairment: Visual impairment can result from various factors, such as eye injuries, disease, or congenital conditions. The degree of impairment can range from partial vision loss to complete blindness. Individuals with visual impairment may face challenges with navigation, reading, and recognizing faces, necessitating the use of assistive technologies, mobility aids, and specialized training to adapt and perform daily tasks effectively.

Hearing Loss: Temporary or permanent hearing loss can occur due to noise exposure, infection, or trauma. Individuals with hearing loss may struggle to communicate, participate in conversations, and hear alarms or warnings, impacting their social interactions and safety. Hearing aids, cochlear implants, and communication techniques such as sign language, can help navigate day-to-day life and maintain meaningful connections.

Loss of Taste (Ageusia): This can occur due to various medical conditions, injuries, or neurological disorders. Loss of taste result in the inability to detect flavors and may lead to changes in eating habits and nutritional intake. Individuals may need to focus on texture and temperature cues to enjoy food, and may require dietary guidance to ensure proper nutrition.

Loss of Smell (Anosmia): Anosmia, or loss of smell, can be caused by nasal injuries, infection, or neurological issues. Without the sense of smell, individuals may have difficulty detecting potential dangers such as gas leaks, fire, or spoiled food. It can also affect one’s ability to enjoy food and may lead to decreased appetite or weight loss.

Loss of Touch (Anesthesia): Loss of touch sensation, known as anesthesia, can result from nerve damage, spinal cord injuries, or neurological conditions. This can lead to difficulty detecting pain, temperature changes, or pressure, which may increase the risk of injury and skin damage. Individuals with anesthesia may need to take extra precautions to prevent accidental injuries and maintain skin integrity.

Those who have suffered catastrophic injuries come to me when their lives have been turned upside down. They come to me looking for answers, and it is my job as a personal injury lawyer to help them figure out how to take the next step forward. My passion is to help injured victims recover compensation for their injuries. I guide my clients every step of the way through the legal process.

If you or a loved one has been catastrophically injured as a result of negligence, my goals for you and your family are two-fold:

First and foremost, I want to help you obtain fair and just compensation.

Secondly, I want to change the actions of others, so that the catastrophic injury suffered by you or your loved one, never happens to anyone ever again. You need someone with my experience and resources to obtain the compensation you need to lead as normal of a life as possible after a catastrophic injury.

What you can expect from me as your catastrophic injury lawyer

I am happy to meet with you at a time and place that is most convenient for you. If I take your case, I will give you my direct cell phone number, so you have 24/7 access to me. I do this because I understand my clients’ needs do not always fit into a 9-5, Monday through Friday timeframe.

If I represent you or a family member for your catastrophic injury, my fee is a contingent which means I only get paid if your case is successful. I also pay any and all costs associated with you case. You will not incur any out of pocket expenses.

If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury as a result of negligence, call me, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®