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Bakersfield Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Catastrophic injuries can impact every aspect of a victim’s life for the long term. They can leave a person partially or fully disabled, drastically affecting future earning potential. If you have suffered a catastrophic injury through the negligence of another, contact Faulkner Law Offices right away. Our Bakersfield personal injury attorneys are tough advocates for seriously injured people.

Why Choose Us as Your Attorneys?

We have been representing injured people and their families since 1974 and are well-versed in personal injury law. Our attorneys are not intimidated by large companies. We are willing to take your case to court if necessary to recover the maximum possible compensation. When we take our cases to trial, we have a success rate of greater than 90% in the courtroom.

What Are Catastrophic Injuries?

There is no universally accepted definition of a catastrophic injury. A working definition, widely used for legal and medical purposes, is an injury that leaves a person suffering from long-term disabilities. Catastrophic injuries can be devastating for victims and their families from a financial, legal, and emotional standpoint.

Types of Catastrophic Injury Cases We Handle

In our decades of professional practice focused solely on injury law, we have successfully represented injured people in a range of catastrophic injury matters, including:

  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord injury and paralysis
  • Severe burns
  • Internal organ damage
  • Amputations
  • Multiple fractures

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

Serious, debilitating injuries occur every day in the U.S. Common causes of catastrophic injuries include:

  • Car accidents
  • Motorcycle crashes
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Large truck wrecks
  • Bus accidents
  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Medical malpractice

What Damages Are Recoverable in a California Catastrophic Injury Claim?

Individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries through the negligence of others may bring a civil action to recover damages. Compensatory damages are designed to compensate the injured person for his or her losses. These damages fall into two different categories:

  • Economic damages: These are damages to which a dollar amount may be easily attached. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damages. In a catastrophic injury claim involving extensive medical treatment and long-term disability, economic damages can be substantial.
  • Non-economic damages: These more subjective damages do not necessarily involve out-of-pocket expenses or a set dollar amount. They include losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, physical impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life. The value of non-economic damages can be high in a catastrophic injury claim.

A jury or judge may award any fair and reasonable sum for catastrophic injury damages. However, under the California Medical Injury Compensation Reform of 1975 (MICRA) non-economic damages for catastrophic injuries caused by medical malpractice are capped at $250,000.

Why You Need a Lawyer

The stakes are typically high in a catastrophic injury case. Responsible parties and their insurance companies will have teams of lawyers working to deny liability or reduce the value of your claim. After suffering serious, debilitating injuries, you need an experienced injury lawyer by your side to investigate the incident, determine liability, fully assess your losses, and fight aggressively for the maximum compensation available under the law.

Contact Faulkner Law Offices

If you or your loved one has sustained catastrophic injuries that were someone else’s fault, it is in your best interests to speak with an experienced injury lawyer as soon as possible. Our Bakersfield attorneys at Faulkner Law Offices have dedicated our practice to helping seriously injured people. Call us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and the damages you may be entitled to claim.