Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Rhode Island

In a split-second, an accident can result in a lifetime of change, resulting in catastrophic injuries. This can lead not only to physical pain, but also a mountain of medical debt as victims try to navigate their new normal. If you or a loved one has suffered life-altering harm, understanding how a catastrophic injury attorney can help is the first step toward reclaiming your future.

At Inman & Tourgee, our legal team has decades of experience working with injury victims to obtain compensation to pay debts as they try to move forward.

What Defines Catastrophic Injuries?

In the legal world, not all injuries are classified the same way. While a broken arm is serious, it is typically expected to heal. Catastrophic injuries, however, are those that result in permanent disability, long-term scarring, or a significant decrease in life expectancy. These injuries often require lifetime medical care. They prevent the victim from ever returning to their previous line of work.

Common examples of catastrophic injuries include:

● Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Resulting in cognitive impairment, memory loss, or personality changes
● Spinal Cord Injuries: Leading to partial or total paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
● Severe Burn Injuries: Often requiring multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and causing permanent disfigurement
● Amputations: The loss of a limb which leads to prosthetics and/or intensive physical therapy.
● Organ Damage: Chronic internal issues that may require ongoing dialysis or transplants
● Disfigurement: Severe injuries that have altered a person’s appearance for the rest of their life

The High Cost of Catastrophic Injuries

The financial burden of a catastrophic injury is staggering. Beyond the initial emergency room visit and surgeries, victims face costs for:

1. Home Modifications: Installing ramps, widening doorways, or adding elevators to make homes accessible
2. Specialized Equipment: Wheelchairs, modified vehicles, and speech-assistance devices for everyday life tasks
3. Ongoing Care: In-home nursing or long-term residential care facilities for those who will need help for the rest of their lives
4. Lost Earning Capacity: The total value of wages the victim would have earned over their lifetime but no longer can because of their injury.
A catastrophic injury attorney can help to get compensation in these instances. At Inman & Tourgee, our team has secured many settlements for victims of catastrophic injuries. Our results include:
● $1.3 million settlement for a motorcyclist who suffered serious injuries, including a brain injury & many broken bones
● $750,000 settlement for a woman who had neck surgery after a car struck a bus she was riding in
● $675,000 settlement for a woman who had two leg surgeries after being hurt in a
motorcycle accident while she was a passenger

These settlements have helped our clients with economic and non-economic damages their
accidents caused. The money can help cover medical bills, debts, and to compensate for pain
and suffering.

Why You Need a Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Rhode Island

A Rhode Island catastrophic injury attorney deals with insurance companies so you and your family don’t have to. When a claim involves millions of dollars in future care, many insurance companies will use every tactics to reduce their liability. This is where a specialized catastrophic
injury attorney becomes vital.

Expert Life-Care Planning

A catastrophic injury attorney works with life-care planners and vocational experts to project exactly how much care will cost with age. They factor in inflation, the rising cost of healthcare, and the specific equipment that will need to be replaced every few years.

Proving Complex Liability

Catastrophic accidents often involve multiple negligent parties. Your attorney will conduct a deep-dive investigation to hold every responsible entity accountable, from equipment manufacturers to commercial trucking companies.

Navigating Rhode Island Statutes

Rhode Island law has specific nuances that can impact your case:
● Statute of Limitations: Generally, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit (RI Gen. Laws § 9-1-14). However, for minors or cases involving & delayed discovery,& these timelines may vary.

● Pure Comparative Negligence: Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages in Rhode Island. Your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.

The Inman & Tourgee team can help explain these rules to you to navigate the court system so you can concentrate on your injury or help taking care of an injured person.

Taking the First Step Toward Justice

Whether you are dealing with an injury or caring for a family member who has suffered a
catastrophic injury, the stress is overwhelming. You shouldn & have to be worry about legal
issues. That’s where we come in.

Inman & Tourgee has the resources to fight for your rights while being sympathetic to you and
your family’s needs. We have helped victims of motorcycle accidents, car accidents, construction accidents, and more, get the compensation they need. These funds are used to help ease the burden catastrophic injuries cause.