Rodney Okano Car Accident Lawyer
Las Vegas Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
20 years of legal experience. 20 years of exceptional results.
Table of Contents
Experienced Las Vegas Catastrophic Injury Attorneys Here to HelpWhat Are Catastrophic InjuriesTypes of Catastrophic InjuriesCommon Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Las VegasHow to Determine Liability in a Las Vegas Catastrophic Injury ClaimWhat Damages Can You Seek in a Nevada Catastrophic Injury LawsuitFrequently Asked Questions About Catastrophic Injuries
Experienced Las Vegas Catastrophic Injury Attorneys Here to Help
Catastrophic injuries are devastating, life-changing injuries that have effects that don't just last during the period of the injury but affect one's whole life.
Due to the catastrophic lifelong effects these types of injuries cause, you must obtain a financial settlement that compensates you for both the immediate and lifelong expenses the catastrophic injury caused.
To ensure that you obtain maximum compensation, you need the experienced Las Vegas Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Rodney Okano, who has been practicing personal injury law for over 20 years and has the legal expertise and knowledge to beat insurance companies, defend your catastrophic injury case in court, and obtain the settlement you are entitled to.
Schedule a free consultation with Las Vegas Catastrophic Injury Attorney Rodney Okano today by calling (702) 566-3600.
What Are Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are injuries that result in long-term or permanent disability, or, in legal terms, an injury that greatly impacts a victim's functional capacity.
A catastrophic injury typically hinders a person's ability to live independently or earn a wage, and unlike minor or moderate injuries, catastrophic injuries are life-altering injuries that do not fully heal and require continual medical care and rehabilitation.
Catastrophic injuries also don't just have physical effects, as they can result in severe emotional and financial damages.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries, including many different types of injuries, have one thing they all have in common: they result in permanent effects on a person's ability to function as they were able to before the injury.
Some of the most common types of catastrophic injuries seen in personal injury cases are outlined below.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries occur when severe blunt or penetrating trauma hits the brain.
A traumatic brain injury can range from a concussion to severe brain damage; however, for a traumatic brain injury to be classified as a catastrophic injury, it often has to be severe brain trauma that results in lasting memory, speech, motor function, or personality problems.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Catastrophic spinal cord injuries occur when damage to the spinal cord results in partial or complete paralysis. A catastrophic spinal cord injury could result in a person being a paraplegic or quadriplegic, causing them to require wheelchairs, home modifications, and lifelong medical care.
Amputations
The loss of a limb due to an accident or medical amputation is considered a catastrophic injury as it causes life-changing and permanent effects on one's lifestyle and activities.
In addition, limb loss can create a financial burden on victims due to the need for prosthetics.
Severe Burns
Burn injuries such as third-degree or fourth-degree burns that penetrate deep into the skin and tissues or even the bone can be classified as a catastrophic injury, as they could result in disfigurement, limited mobility, neurological damage, and chronic pain.
Vision or Hearing Loss
The permanent loss of sight or hearing can drastically alter a person's independence and life.
Such losses of sight or hearing may require the person to use specialized devices or learn new skills such as reading braille or speaking signed language.
Organ Damage
Damages to the internal organs, including the liver, kidneys, lungs, or heart, could bring life-altering changes to a victim, especially if they require an organ transplant.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Las Vegas
From a construction accident to a high-speed car accident, there are numerous causes of catastrophic injuries in Las Vegas, which are all important to understand when seeking to determine liability and recover compensation.
Common causes of catastrophic injuries in Las Vegas include:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: One of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries is car accidents, and while most are minor or moderate, some severe collisions can result in severe injuries such as brain or spinal injuries.
- Pedestrian vs. Auto Accidents: When a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, they are often susceptible to catastrophic injuries as they lack protection against the impact and weight of a vehicle.
- Workplace Accidents: Accidents in the workplace can result in catastrophic injuries; however, the majority of these catastrophic accidents are construction accidents, as the environment is more prone to them.
- Violent Assaults: Severe acts of violence, such as beatings or shootings, can result in catastrophic injuries.
- Medical Malpractice: Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, or delayed treatment can lead to catastrophic effects, such as brain or birth injuries. In the case of medical malpractice causing a catastrophic injury, you can sue the medical professional and the healthcare facilities for the negligent acts.
If any of the causes outlined above resulted in you or a family member suffering a catastrophic injury, learn if you could be entitled to a large financial settlement by contacting an experienced Las Vegas catastrophic injury attorney from our law firm by calling (702) 566-3600.
How to Determine Liability in a Las Vegas Catastrophic Injury Claim
Determining liability is crucial if you seek to secure fair compensation in your catastrophic injury case.
To determine liability, you must first understand who could be at fault for your catastrophic injury and then establish the four elements of negligence.
Who Can Be Liable for Your Catastrophic Injury
In Las Vegas catastrophic injury cases, multiple parties can share fault for a life-changing injury under Nevada's modified comparative negligence law outlined in NRS 41.141.
Most commonly held liable parties in catastrophic personal injury claims include:
- Negligent drivers
- Employers
- Property or business owners
- Product manufacturers
- Medical professionals or facilities
- Hotel and casino owners
- Security companies
What Are the Four Elements of Negligence You Must Prove to Establish Liability
Once you discover who is liable for your catastrophic injury, you must prove the following four elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care: The defendant must have owed the victim a legal duty of care, such as drivers safely operating their vehicles or property owners keeping their premises safe and maintained.
- Breach of Duty: Once the victim establishes that the defendant owed them a duty of care, they must prove that the defendant breached that duty by acting negligently or recklessly.
- Causation: A link between the defendant's breach of duty and the victim's catastrophic injury must be proven.
- Damages: After causation is proven, the victim will need to prove their damages using key evidence, including medical records, lost wages statements, and family statements detailing how the catastrophic injury changed the victim's life.
Proving these four elements of negligence can be a challenging task, especially if you're suffering from the stresses of a catastrophic injury, which is why you should contact a Las Vegas catastrophic injury attorney and allow them to build you a strong case.
What Damages Can You Seek in a Nevada Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit
When you seek compensation in a Nevada catastrophic injury lawsuit, you can receive three different types of damages: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
These damages are typically composed of:
- Medical bills (Past and future)
- Lost wages (Past and future)
- Physical therapy
- Loss of earning capacity (losing the ability to work)
- Home or vehicle modifications
- In-home care and Rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering (Physical pain caused by the injuries)
- Emotional distress and other psychological effects
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (If the catastrophic injury hinders a spousal relationship)
- Punitive damages (May be awarded by a court if the at-fault party's actions were intentional, malicious, or grossly negligent)
To obtain help in securing compensation, contact a Las Vegas catastrophic injury lawyer from The Rodney Okano Car Accident Lawyer Law Firm today by calling (702) 566-3600.
Frequently Asked Questions About Catastrophic Injuries
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Catastrophic Injury Claims in Nevada?
The Nevada statute of limitations (NRS 11.190) for filing a catastrophic injury claim is two years from the date the person suffers the injury.
Failure to file a claim within the two-year limit could result in losing the right to seek compensation; however, there are exceptions, which is why you should consult with a catastrophic injury lawyer to learn if they apply to your case.
What Is the Difference Between Catastrophic Injuries and Personal Injuries?
While in a legal sense, catastrophic injuries are personal injuries, not all personal injuries are catastrophic.
The key differences are:
- Catastrophic Injuries: Only include injuries that result in permanent or long-term disability.
- Personal Injuries: Include minor and temporary injuries such as sprains, fractures, or soft tissue damage.
How Much Does a Las Vegas Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Cost?
Almost all contingency-based injury attorneys in Las Vegas work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don't pay unless they win your case.
In addition, if they win your case, the fee comes out of your awarded compensation rather than your personal finances.
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