How Much is My Personal Injury Case Worth If the Injuries Caused Long-Term Disabilities?

Auto accidents, slips and falls, defective products, and medical malpractice can result in catastrophic injuries that lead to disabilities. When the accidents are someone else’s fault, you should obtain compensation for your losses. How much you can get in compensation depends on several factors, which Houston personal injury lawyers can help you determine.

Some factors are:

  • The type and severity of the injury you sustained
  • The time you need to recover
  • Current and future medical expenses
  • The impact of the injury on your ability to earn a living
  • The effect of the injury on your family and social life
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering

What Type of Injuries May Cause Permanent Disability?

Houston catastrophic injury lawyers explain that one of the determining factors of the amount you can recover in compensation is the type of injury. The more catastrophic it is, the higher the probability of getting a higher settlement amount. Some injuries that have a high risk of leading to long-term disabilities are:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

TBIs interfere with the normal functioning of the brain, leading to disabilities among many people every year. Slips and falls and car crashes contribute to the majority of these injuries, with victims experiencing a range of neurological effects, such as memory issues, cognitive impairment, changes in personality, and loss of mobility.

If you or your loved one suffered a TBI after an accident, consult catastrophic injury attorneys in Houston to help you calculate the value of the compensation amount you should pursue.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Most damages to the spinal cord are irreversible, resulting in weakness, pain, and numbness below the injury. A victim may also become wholly or partially paralyzed. Car accidents often cause spinal cord injuries depending on the impact of the collision.

Burns

Severe burns can lead to severe scarring that requires multiple skin grafts to treat, often causing the victim ongoing pain and suffering. Depending on the severity, the damage caused to the bones, muscles, and skin by severe injuries may never heal completely.

Internal Organ Damage

Some accidents can cause penetration or crush injuries from the force of the crash, causing damage to internal organs and inhibiting the ability to work or participate in other activities. For example, kidney damage could necessitate prolonged dialysis treatments.

Whatever type of injury you sustain in an accident, ensure you consult Houston’s catastrophic injury lawyers so that they can start creating a solid claim. You must also get immediate medical care to prevent the injuries from deteriorating.

What Are the Lifetime Costs of Permanent Disability?

Another crucial element in determining how much you can recover in damages for long-term disabilities is the full extent of the condition’s costs. Immediately after the accident, it may not be possible to understand the true costs of a long-term disability. Most accident victims accept an amount far less than their case is worth, and you should avoid this mistake.

Experienced catastrophic injury attorneys can consult with your doctors to determine the extent of your disability, expected future medical costs, and treatment requirements. They can also collaborate with life-care planners to estimate and document the long-term costs of the disability.

What If I Already Have a Disability at the Time of the Accident?

If you already have a disability, you may wonder how it may affect your personal injury claims if you already receive disability benefits. The outcome may depend on the type of disability benefits you receive. Some of the most common types of disability benefits are:

  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), based on your disability, has nothing to do with your income or resources.
  • Private disability insurance coverage depending on the terms of your policy
  • Supplemental Security Income, which is need-based and requires that you have some income to qualify

In determining how your disability benefits will affect your personal injury claim, your personal injury attorneys in Houston will advise based on many variables:

  • The type of disability: If you receive benefits because of kidney damage but sustain a spinal injury in an auto accident, you could receive a settlement in the personal injury claim. However, your chances of obtaining a settlement for a back-related disability may be slim if you receive disability benefits based on spinal cord paralysis.
  • Duration of disability: Your personal injury settlement may depend on how long the disability is expected to last and whether it will outlast the personal injury.
  • Income vs. disability benefits: Your personal injury compensation could be calculated based on your income before the accident. If you expected to return to work at some point, but the personal injury makes it impossible, its impact must be considered.

The bottom line is that if you already have a disability at the time of an accident, it could affect your personal injury settlement. Consult extensively with your injury lawyers so that you know what to expect.

A Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer Helping Calculate Compensation Based on Long-Term Disability

Claiming compensation for personal injuries that result in long-term disability can be complex. Many variables come into play, especially if you have a pre-existing disability. Navigating the issue and finally obtaining the compensation you deserve can be emotionally draining, and it would be best to enlist the help of experienced personal injury lawyers in Houston.

They have the experience and knowledge to calculate the compensation you rightfully deserve. The Shariff Law Firm is a personal injury law firm with dedicated catastrophic injury attorneys who can look into your case and fight to help you achieve the results your case deserves. Call us at 713-881-9739 to schedule a FREE consultation.