Have you suffered a catastrophic injury in Kansas City, MO, because of someone else’s negligence? You may be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. However, cases involving catastrophic injuries can be complex, and you will need an experienced lawyer to help you get the compensation you are owed. Call Cohen Law Firm at (816) 323-0955 for a free consultation.
Attorney Zach Cohen has over 7 years of experience and has recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation for injury victims. Let our Kansas City catastrophic injury lawyers evaluate your legal options and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Cohen Law Firm to Help Me With a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Kansas City?
If you have sustained a catastrophic injury in an accident in Kansas City, Missouri, we understand that your life may never be the same. You need a lawyer who is committed to protecting you and your family. At Cohen Law Firm, we will give you the personal attention you deserve when going through this type of difficult situation.
Attorney Zach Cohen has been twice recognized by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys as a Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney under 40. He has extensive experience in Missouri personal injury law and knows what it takes to win complex accident cases involving catastrophic injuries.
After a catastrophic injury, you need a strong advocate who will stand up to the insurance company and demand the compensation you are rightly owed. Contact our law firm today to speak to a Kansas City personal injury attorney who is committed to doing just that.
Schedule your free consultation today and let us get started working for you.
What Is My Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?
Typically, cases that involve more severe injuries are worth more than those involving only minor injuries. Catastrophic injuries usually have lifelong effects, and the damages resulting from these types of injuries are extensive.
Besides the severity of your injuries, some other factors that can affect how much your case is worth are:
- Whether you will be able to make a full recovery
- Any temporary or permanent disabilities you are left with
- Whether you will ever be able to return to work
- Your age and health prior to the accident
- How your daily life and relationships have been affected
- The amount of insurance coverage available
In many cases involving catastrophic injuries, the insurance coverage policy limits have a major impact on the overall value of your personal injury claim. An experienced lawyer can help you identify all potential insurance coverage and look for ways to stack coverage to get you the most compensation for your injuries.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Victims of Catastrophic Injuries in Missouri?
Accident victims who suffer catastrophic injuries often have a multitude of damages. These include both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are used to compensate the victim for the monetary losses they suffered because of the accident.
Some examples include:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy
- Home health care expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Cost of medications
Proving the value of these damages is usually pretty straightforward. Receipts, bills, or other documentation usually show the specific dollar amounts associated with them.
On the other hand, non-economic damages are more difficult to value. These damages are much more subjective, and they include intangible losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Quality of life
Putting a dollar figure on these types of damages can be tough, but we can use our experience to help you do just that. The value of these non-economic damages may be as much as five times the value of your economic losses.
Under rare circumstances, punitive damages may also be available. These damages are awarded in cases where the plaintiff acted with deliberate and flagrant disregard for others.
At Cohen Law, we can help you determine all the damages you may be able to recover.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?
After an accident, you are already facing plenty of financial expenses. Hiring a lawyer might seem unattainable due to the cost.
Thankfully, there is good news. It will not cost you any money up front to hire a catastrophic injury lawyer. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyer takes their fee after the case is resolved as a portion of any money awarded to the client.
Contingency fees in catastrophic injury cases may be anywhere from 33% to 40% of the total recovery. The fee may vary, depending on the lawyer’s experience level and whether the case settles or goes to trial.
Keep in mind that a contingency fee agreement in Missouri should be in writing and signed by both parties. The agreement should state exactly how the fee will be calculated and discuss how the case expenses will be handled. Never sign a fee agreement unless you understand exactly how the fees and expenses will be calculated.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Accident in Missouri?
Yes, you can still recover compensation for your injuries even if you are being blamed for your accident. Missouri follows the doctrine of pure comparative negligence. Under this rule, you can still recover damages even if you are mostly responsible for your own accident.
However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of the fault. For example, if you are found to be 30% at fault for your accident, you can only recover a maximum of 70% of your total damages. We can help defend you against the insurance company’s attempts to put the blame on you.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All Of Your Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are life-altering, and they come in many different types. Every accident victim is affected differently—even by similar injuries.
Some common examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputation or loss of limb
- Loss of vision
- Loss of hearing
- Severe back or neck injuries
- Burn injuries
Most victims of catastrophic injuries deal with the effects of these injuries for the rest of their lives. We will help you accurately determine the value of your current and future losses to ensure that you are compensated appropriately.
What Causes Most Catastrophic Injuries in Missouri?
Accidents happen every day. While some accidents are minor, there are many kinds of accidents that may result in catastrophic injuries.
Some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries in Kansas City are:
- Car accidents: High-speed collisions, rollovers, and side impact crashes can result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or internal organ damage.
- Truck accidents: Due to their size and weight, trucks are capable of causing extensive damage in an accident.
- Workplace accidents: Construction sites and industrial workplaces, in particular, put workers at significant risk of injury.
- Motorcycle accidents: Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable on the roads because they have little protection; they often suffer catastrophic injuries in accidents.
- Medical malpractice: When doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals fail to uphold the standard of care, patients can suffer from birth injuries, brain damage, or nerve damage.
- Defective products: Dangerous or defective consumer products, such as faulty car parts and unsafe machinery, can cause serious harm.
No matter what caused your devastating injuries, reach out to Cohen Law today for help. We can investigate the cause of your injuries to determine exactly who should be held liable.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Catastrophic Injury in Missouri?
You have five years to file a lawsuit for damages after most accidents in Missouri. You should be aware that this timeline could be shorter or longer, depending on the specific facts of your situation and exactly what caused your injury. If you fail to meet this deadline, you may be completely barred from obtaining any compensation for your injuries.
For this reason, you should talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer right away. A lawyer can help ensure that you do not miss the deadline and lose your chance to get compensated for your injuries.
Contact Our Kansas City Catastrophic Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have sustained a catastrophic injury in Kansas City, Missouri, the legal team at Cohen Law is here to guide you through the legal process. We can get started helping you put together a winning strategy for your claim and resist the insurance company’s attempt to take advantage of you and make you a lowball settlement offer.
Our experienced attorney, Zach Cohen, has recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation for clients. We’ll pursue maximum compensation in your case, too.
Schedule a free consultation today with one of our Kansas City catastrophic injury attorneys, who will assess your claim and fight to hold the other party accountable for causing your harm.