When someone else’s negligence permanently alters your life, you need more than just legal advice; you need a strategy for long-term security. A knowledgeable Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer can build the strong case you need.
A catastrophic injury claim is about securing your future. It requires a detailed accounting of every possible future need, from medical care to lost earning capacity. Contact the team at Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to learn how we can help you build that secure future.
Call us at (813) 694-3054 for a no-obligation consultation today. Our practice areas can include car accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death and more.
Why Choose Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Your Catastrophic Injury Claim
Selecting the right legal team can define the rest of your life. You need a firm with the resources to take on complex cases and the local knowledge to understand how your injury impacts your life here in Tampa.
Deep Roots in the Tampa Community
We’re not a nationwide firm that sees you as a case number. Our attorneys know the roads you travel, from the heavy traffic on I-275 and the Selmon Expressway to the local streets in Hyde Park, Ybor City, and Carrollwood.
We use our local knowledge to build a case that reflects the true impact on your life, whether you enjoyed walking Bayshore Boulevard or spending time with family at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
We Get Results
With over 75 years of combined experience to back us up, you can trust our board-certified trial lawyers to fight for the maximum compensation possible. We’ve recovered over $100 million in compensation for our clients to date.
Quick and Clear Communication
You need clear communication and direct access to the attorneys handling your case. We provide our clients with the resources of a large firm and the personalized attention of a small practice. We’ll always answer your questions and return your phone calls if we miss you; you’ll remain at the center of your case.
When your future is at stake, you need a team dedicated to your well-being. A Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer from Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to stand with you. Call us today at (813) 694-3054.
Defining a Catastrophic Injury in Florida
Florida defines a catastrophic injury as a permanent impairment resulting from specific types of harm. While many injuries can be serious, the law has a specific threshold for what qualifies as “catastrophic.” The legal definition generally centers on injuries that cause permanent functional limitations.
These injuries fundamentally alter a person’s ability to live their life as they did before. They often prevent a person from returning to any form of meaningful employment.
Common injuries that fall under this category include:
- Spinal Cord Injuries: This includes any injury to the spinal cord that results in a loss of movement or sensation, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Amputations: The loss of an arm, hand, foot, or leg constitutes a catastrophic injury.
- Severe Brain Injuries: A traumatic brain injury (TBI) that results in permanent cognitive, sensory, or motor impairments.
- Catastrophic Burns: Second, third, and fourth degree burns covering a significant portion of the body that require extensive treatment and result in permanent scarring.
- Total Blindness: A complete and permanent loss of sight in both eyes.
Types of Compensation You Can Pursue
After a life-altering accident, compensation isn’t just about paying current bills; it’s about providing a financial foundation to support you for the rest of your life. A legal claim seeks to recover damages for both your tangible financial losses and your intangible personal losses.
Financial Losses
Economic damages are the financial costs associated with your injury. We work to identify and document every expense you have incurred and will incur in the future. Our goal is to account for each and every cost.
Here you can learn more about Worker’s Compensation.
This may include:
- Past and Future Medical Bills: You may pursue compensation for all costs from the initial hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any ongoing treatments.
- Lost Earning Capacity: If you can no longer work, this covers the income you would have earned for the rest of your career.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: This payment addresses the costs for training or education if you’re able to return to a different line of work.
- Home Modifications: Compensation needs to cover the expenses of making your home accessible, such as installing ramps, wider doorways, or modified bathrooms.
The Human Toll
Non-economic damages address the profound personal losses that don’t have a specific price tag. These damages acknowledge how the injury has impacted your quality of life.
Common examples include:
- Pain and Suffering: This accounts for the physical pain and emotional distress you endure because of the injury.
- Mental Anguish: This compensates for psychological trauma, such as anxiety, depression, or fear, resulting from the event.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This payment addresses your inability to participate in hobbies, activities, and life experiences you previously valued.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: This compensation acknowledges the physical changes to your body and the emotional distress they cause.
An experienced Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer knows how to fairly value these personal losses to present a complete picture of your damages to a jury.
Investigating the Full Impact of a Life-Changing Accident in Tampa
Building a successful catastrophic injury claim requires more than just proving who was at fault. It demands a forward-looking investigation to establish the total lifetime needs that result from the injury. We map out a detailed picture of your future needs to show the full extent of your damages.
Our firm’s approach is to meticulously document the accident and its consequences. We trace the chain of events that led to your injury to establish clear liability. At the same time, we work to uncover every potential source of compensation.
Collaboration With Medical and Financial Experts
We frequently collaborate with a network of respected experts to build the strongest case possible. A life care planner can detail your required medical treatments, therapies, and assistance for decades to come.
A vocational expert can testify to your inability to work, and an economist can calculate the exact value of your lost future income and medical costs.
Establishing Long-Term Life Care Plans
A life care plan is a comprehensive document that outlines an injured person’s future medical needs and associated costs. This plan gives an insurance company or a jury a detailed roadmap of future costs.
The elements of a life care plan often consist of:
- Projected Treatments: This portion includes all anticipated surgeries, doctor visits, and hospitalizations.
- Therapeutic Care: This part of the plan addresses the costs for physical, occupational, and psychological therapy.
- Medical Equipment: The life care plan documents the expense of wheelchairs, prosthetic devices, and other necessary medical equipment.
- Home Healthcare: This portion covers the cost of skilled nursing care or personal assistance in your home.
- Medications: The life care plan accounts for all prescription drugs you’ll need for the rest of your life.
This detailed plan allows us to fortify your claim with concrete evidence. We don’t just ask for compensation; we demonstrate precisely what you need and why. Your tampa catastrophic injury attorney anchors every request for compensation in the facts provided by trusted professionals.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in the Tampa Bay Area
A catastrophic injury can happen in an instant, changing an entire family’s life forever. While these incidents can occur in many ways, some situations are more common than others.
Unfortunately, many of these accidents happen due to the reckless or negligent actions of another person or company. Our job as your Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer is to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Common causes include:
- Commercial Trucking Accidents: A collision with a large semi-truck on highways like I-4 or I-75 can cause devastating harm.
- Serious Car and Motorcycle Crashes: High-speed collisions or crashes involving vulnerable motorcyclists frequently lead to life-altering injuries.
- Construction Site Accidents: Falls from height, machinery malfunctions, and other on-the-job accidents can be catastrophic.
- Violent Crimes: Assaults and other criminal acts can cause TBIs, spinal cord damage, and other catastrophic harm.
The Role of a Tampa Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Your Recovery
When coping with a severe injury, the legal complexities of a major claim can be a significant additional burden. Your lawyer’s role is to lift that burden from your shoulders and manage every aspect of your case.
A Tampa Bay catastrophic injury attorney acts as your advocate, investigator, and negotiator. We handle all communications with insurance companies, making sure your rights are protected from the start.
We gather the evidence needed to build a strong foundation for your claim. This includes police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions. Our team diligently prepares your case for every possibility.
Ultimately, your Tampa catastrophic injury lawyer works to present the full story of your losses. We then fight for the compensation you need during negotiations with an insurer, or during a trial if it becomes necessary.
FAQ for Tampa Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
How Long Do I Have To File a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit in Florida?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases based on negligence is generally two years from the injury. However, the specific facts of your case, such as when the injury was discovered or if a government entity is involved, can change this deadline.
Contact a Tampa catastrophic injury attorney quickly to preserve your right to file a claim.
What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury in Florida?
Florida statutes legally define catastrophic injuries as those resulting in permanent functional disability. This includes spinal cord injuries causing paralysis, amputation of a major limb, traumatic brain injuries, total blindness, or severe burns over a large area of the body.
Why Do I Need a Tampa Catastrophic Injury Lawyer for My Case?
You need an experienced Tampa catastrophic injury attorney because a catastrophic injury claim is exceptionally complex and establishes your financial support for life. Law firms have the resources to hire critical specialists, such as life care planners and economists, to map out and calculate the cost of your lifetime needs.
Insurance companies have teams dedicated to evaluating and challenging these high-value claims; your lawyer works to protect your interests and presents a thoroughly prepared case during negotiations. Ultimately, your attorney handles every legal detail.
Can I Pursue a Claim if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Yes, you likely can still pursue compensation if you share some of the blame. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault—as long as you were not more than 50% at fault.
Your total compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault, you can recover 80% of the total damages.
What Happens if the Person Who Caused My Injury Doesn’t Have Enough Insurance?
An experienced Tampa Bay injury attorney investigates all possible sources of recovery, including searching for an umbrella policy held by the at-fault party, investigating whether a third party (like an employer or property owner) shares responsibility.
Your lawyer may pursue a claim against your own Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your auto policy if available.
Anchoring Your Future
The effects of a catastrophic injury last a lifetime, and the actions you take today can secure your tomorrow. Your legal case needs to build a foundation of financial security that can support you and your family for decades to come. You don’t have to face this challenge alone.
Let Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers put our experience to work for you. Contact our team today for a confidential and free case evaluation. Call (813) 694-3054 to start the conversation.