Have you suffered a catastrophic injury in Fort Mill, South Carolina? If someone else caused your accident, they should be held accountable for the financial and psychological impact. A Fort Mill catastrophic injury lawyer at Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys can help you through every step of your case and fight for your rights. Call us at (803) 902-7065.
We have represented accident victims in Fort Mill, SC, since 1980. We are prepared to advocate for your rights and pursue the full compensation you deserve. Contact our law office today to schedule a free initial consultation with a Fort Mill personal injury attorney to discuss how we can help.
How Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys Can Help You After an Accident In Fort Mill, SC
A catastrophic injury can derail your life and threaten everything from your relationships to your financial future. Sadly, insurance companies may invest significant assets to fight catastrophic injury claims because of their high value. This means recovering the compensation you deserve can be a long and exhausting process, especially without help. A Fort Mill catastrophic injury attorney can help you.
At Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys, our team has more than 150 years of combined experience handling complex injury cases. We have a strong track record of success, with more than $100 million recovered for our clients since 1980.
If you have been severely injured in an accident in Fort Mill, South Carolina, you can count on our law firm for the following:
- Thorough investigation of your accident to gather crucial evidence
- Collaboration with experts to prove liability and document your damages
- Handle communications on your behalf
- Skillful negotiation with insurance companies to ensure fair compensation
- Representation in court, if necessary, to advocate fiercely for your rights
- Continual support, legal advice, and communication throughout your recovery process
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys is ready to give you the tireless legal representation you deserve. Call our law office for a free consultation with a Fort Mill personal injury lawyer to tell your story and learn more about how we can help you.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury causes devastating changes to nearly every aspect of your daily life. These life-changing injuries have a major financial, physical, and psychological effect. Your independence, quality of life, relationships, and ability to work may all be harmed. Almost any type of injury can be catastrophic when it fundamentally alters your life.
The hallmark example of a catastrophic injury is a spinal cord injury. Every year in the U.S., there are about 17,500 new spinal cord injuries. About 46% of these cases are incomplete tetraplegia injuries. This means paralysis or weakness in all four limbs with some residual feeling or control.
Brain injuries are another injury often considered catastrophic. About 85,000 people suffer disabling brain injuries every year. Traumatic brain injuries can result in permanent functional impairment, reduced mobility, cognitive impairment, personality changes, communication problems, memory issues, and more.
We Fight To Recover Compensation for All Types of Catastrophic Injuries
At Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys, we understand how your life can be forever changed in a single moment. Our legal team is dedicated to fighting for maximum compensation on your behalf to preserve your quality of life.
We handle personal injury cases involving all types of catastrophic injuries, such as:
- Amputation or limb loss
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Complex, severe, or non-healing fractures
- Extensive burn injuries
- Organ damage
- Electrical shock injuries
- Nerve damage
- Hearing or vision loss
Your life will never be the same. However, a successful claim can ensure you get the quality medical care and financial security you need.
What Is My Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?
The value of a personal injury case varies significantly based on several key factors. One of the primary factors is the severity and nature of your injuries. This directly impacts your healthcare needs and future earning potential.
Other considerations may include:
- The impact of your accident on relationships, independence, quality of life, mental health, and daily life
- Anticipated future medical expenses and long-term care costs
- Lost earning potential. This is based on your age, opportunities for advancement, employment benefits, and more
- The circumstances of your accident
- Whether you share fault for your accident
- The strength of the evidence in your case
- Insurance coverage available
An attorney can assess these factors to estimate your claim’s value and pursue full compensation. In general, valuing your claim will begin by totaling your financial losses. These damages may be multiplied by a factor of 1.5 to 5 to estimate non-financial losses. This can be used as a starting point to negotiate a settlement offer.
An accurate and fair value may take time as it could depend on input from medical and vocational experts.
What Damages Are Available To Injury Victims In Fort Mill?
In a personal injury case, victims are entitled to two main forms of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are the financial losses of your injury, including:
- Medical expenses, including future medical bills
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as necessary home or vehicle modifications
- Lost wages while being treated
- Diminished or lost earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages represent the psychological and emotional injuries with no intrinsic financial value. This may include pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, emotional distress, mental anguish, and disfigurement. In a catastrophic injury case, non-economic damages alone may top $1 million.
In very rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded by a jury. These damages punish the defendant for willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others or intentional wrongdoing.
A personal injury lawyer will carefully document the full extent of your damages to pursue maximum compensation. Expert testimony is often needed to demonstrate the value of future earnings and medical care.
Am I Still Entitled To Compensation if I’m Partially At Fault for My Catastrophic Accident In South Carolina?
Even if you share some blame for your accident, you may still be entitled to compensation from the other at-fault party. South Carolina uses a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50% bar. In an accident, each party is assigned a percentage of liability. If your share of the assigned fault is not 50% or higher, you can still recover money.
However, your financial recovery will be reduced according to your share of liability. If you are 25% to blame for the damages, the compensation you recover is reduced by 25%.
What Causes Catastrophic Injuries in Fort Mill, SC?
Most life-changing injuries happen in just a handful of scenarios, including the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents. These include car accidents and motorcycle crashes. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries and one of the top causes of brain injuries.
- Falls. Falls from heights and falls at the same height can both cause serious fractures, brain injuries, and other severe injuries. Seniors are most at risk of life-changing injury in a fall on the same level.
- Workplace accidents. On-the-job accidents involving machinery, falls, being struck by objects, hazardous materials, and other hazards can be severe. These accidents may cause traumatic amputation, vision loss, back injuries, and more.
- Sports. Recreational activities and sports are a leading cause of severe injuries, especially among children and young adults.
- Violence. Violence, including shootings, stabbings, domestic violence, and other forms of assault, is a major cause of traumatic brain injuries.
Any accident can cause severe injuries. No matter how your accident occurred, our catastrophic injury attorneys will carefully investigate your accident to determine who was to blame. We will identify possible avenues to compensation and fight for the money you deserve.
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit In South Carolina?
From the date of your injury, you have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit in South Carolina. This three-year statute of limitations applies to most personal injury cases involving negligence or intentional tort. There are very limited exceptions to this rule.
If you miss the deadline, you lose your legal right to seek damages for the injuries you have suffered.
Particularly with cases involving catastrophic injuries, it’s important to act as soon as possible. A personal injury lawyer can begin gathering evidence and building your case while you focus on your recovery to preserve your claim.
Contact Our Fort Mill Catastrophic Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Have you or someone you love suffered a life-changing injury in Fort Mill, SC? A successful personal injury claim can ensure your financial security and pay for the medical care you need. Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys is here to help.
We have more than 150 years of combined legal experience to put to work on your case. Contact our law firm to schedule a free case review with a Fort Mill catastrophic injury lawyer. We will listen to your story and help you explore your options.