Dashcams have recently become indispensable tools for drivers. It's like...
Catastrophic injuries often include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, multiple bone fractures, organ damage, or amputation. According to recent statistics from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, there are approximately 17,810 new spinal cord injury cases each year in the United States. Any of these catastrophic injuries can lead to permanent disability or the complete inability to perform any gainful work in life.
If you believe that someone else’s negligence was responsible for your catastrophic injury, you may be eligible to receive compensation to help cover your medical expenses and account for any additional pain and suffering. At Harris & Associates, P.C., L.L.O., our attorneys are committed to offering experienced legal services and compassionate representation to catastrophic injury victims and their family members. As experienced Nebraska personal injury attorneys, we can fight passionately to protect your rights and help you pursue rightful compensation.
Harris & Associates, P.C., L.L.O. is proud to serve clients throughout Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding counties, including Douglas, Dodge, Sarpy, and Lancaster County.
A catastrophic injury can be described as any severe injury to the brain, spine, spinal cord, or other body parts that can lead to a complete inability of an individual to function for the rest of his or her life. Catastrophic injuries usually have serious, long-lasting effects on the victim. Such injuries can cause long-term, debilitating symptoms to the victim and may require a lengthy recovery process or eventually lead to death. Examples include:
Filing injury claims offer victims of catastrophic injuries the opportunity to recover fair financial compensation for an injury caused by another party’s negligence. In Nebraska, all personal injury claims must be filed in the state’s civil court system within four years from the date the injury occurred.
However, Nebraska is considered an at-fault state. Under Nebraska’s fault statute, the at-fault party will bear the burden of financial responsibility for any injury or damages sustained by victims in a traffic collision. The at-fault driver’s insurance provider will be responsible for paying for your injuries. Though, Nebraska’s comparative negligence law may apply if the at-fault party uses contributory negligence as a defense.
According to Nebraska Revised Statute 25-21,185.09, if a claimant was found to have contributed to the incident, the amount of compensation awarded shall diminish in proportion to the claimant’s percentage of fault. However, you will be totally barred from recovering damages if you were found to be 50 percent or more responsible. For example, if you were involved in a traffic collision and were found to be 20 percent at fault for the accident, you will only be able to recover 80 percent of the damages awarded in a successful settlement.
According to Nebraska Revised Statutes section 30-809, wrongful death is defined as a death caused by any wrongful act of neglect or default of another party. If the victim had lived, such a wrongful act of neglect or default would have allowed him or her to bring a personal injury claim to court.
In Nebraska, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the legal representative of the deceased person’s estate. This may be a spouse, parent, or child.
Possible Damages
The possible damages that may be recovered through a Nebraska wrongful death claim include:
Medical expenses related to the final illness or injury of the deceased person
Compensation for the loss of companionship, care, comfort, and guidance of the deceased person
Compensation for burial and funeral expenses
Lost income and benefits the deceased would have earned if he or she had survived
Any pain and suffering or mental anguish endured by the deceased during his or her final moments
Lost value of household services performed by the deceased person, such as childcare, chores, and repairs.
Catastrophic injuries like spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries can leave devastating long-term effects on your physical, financial, and emotional health. The good news is, you don’t have to go through this battle alone. If you believe that another party’s negligence caused your catastrophic injury, hiring a knowledgeable Nebraska personal injury attorney can make a significant difference in your case.
At Harris & Associates, P.C., L.L.O., our attorneys believe that no person should suffer the financial burdens or consequences of an incident that was caused by another person’s negligent actions. As experienced catastrophic injury attorneys, we will:
Fight to protect your rights and represent your best interests
Review every aspect of your case and conduct a comprehensive, private investigation
Gather vital information, pieces of evidence, and necessary documentation
Attempt to prove fault and establish liability
Determine and estimate case-value
Handle all communication and negotiations on your behalf while you recover
Negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company
File a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, where applicable
If you believe that another party’s negligence caused your catastrophic injury, you may be entitled to recover damages. Contact Harris & Associates, P.C., L.L.O., today to schedule a one-on-one consultation. Our skilled attorneys will provide compassionate representation in your case and guide you through every step of the litigation process. We proudly serve clients throughout Omaha, Douglas, Dodge, Sarpy, and Lancaster County, Nebraska.