In most cases, accidents typically leave clients reeling. Between the pain, damage, and financial impact of the entire situation, it can be difficult to get back on your feet. But when an accident leaves you with catastrophic and life-changing injuries, you may not even know where to turn next. If you’ve been seriously hurt in an accident, we encourage you to reach out to a personal injury lawyer. Here in Queens, Shaevitz & Shaevitz handle all kinds of accident cases! With over 65 years of experience representing clients like you, we’re able to take on catastrophic injury cases to fight for your right to compensation.
¿Qué son las lesiones catastróficas?
A catastrophic injury is an injury that severely impacts your life. Unlike a broken bone or cut that will heal over time, these injuries have a profound effect on the foreseeable future.
Some examples of catastrophic injuries we represent include:
- Lesiones medulares
- Lesiones cerebrales traumáticas
- Quemaduras graves
- Pérdida de extremidades
- Or other long-term or permanent disabilities
Often, these injuries occur due to major accidentes de tráfico. However, any dangerous accident can result in life-changing injuries that deserve compensation. If your life will never be the same due to your injury, we consider it catastrophic. Reach out to our attorneys in Queens, NY, for guidance on next steps and for representation in settlement negotiations or in court.
¿A qué daños y perjuicios tengo derecho?
After catastrophic injuries, you’re typically entitled to two types of damages.
Economic damages account for how the accident impacts you financially. Medical bills, lost wages, and lost earning capacity all fall under economic damages. In a car accident in New York State, all eligible persons receive no-fault benefits, paid for by the Seguro PIP of the car they were in at the time. These benefits handle up to $50,000 of economic damages, but you must file en los 30 días siguientes al accidente.
In non-car accident cases, the party at fault, or their liability insurance, typically pays for these damages.
Non-economic damages compensate you for how your accident negatively impacts your life. This category includes loss of quality of life, loss of consortium, and pain and suffering. However, it’s important to note that car accident cases handle non-economic damages differently. In New York State, your injuries from a car accident must surpass the umbral de lesiones graves to be eligible for non-economic compensation. And even then, you cannot be more than 50% at fault for the accident, or you’re barred from pursuing non-economic damages.
For non-car accident cases, you typically don’t need to surpass the serious injury threshold to pursue non-economic damages.
Who is the Liable Party for My Catastrophic Injuries?
Identifying the liable party in your case is one of the first things your lawyer will help you do.
While we don’t get to decide who is at fault, we can help determine liability with evidence from the case. Using witness statements, surveillance video, medical records, and police reports, we’re able to demonstrate the percentage of fault you and the other party share.
In New York State, we operate under a modified comparative fault system for car accidents. That means you and multiple other people can share fault. Your percentage of fault helps us determine the value of your injuries. As previously stated, if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault in a car accident, you’re not eligible to collect damages from other drivers or their insurers. But if you’re 50% or less at fault, you can pursue additional compensation beyond no-fault benefits!
We will help build your case and represent your interests. Often, the insurance of the at-fault party will be the one paying for your compensation. And in many cases, these insurance companies want to save themselves money. It’s our job as your attorneys to protect your compensation from any lowball offers. We will negotiate on your behalf to help you collect as much as possible for your catastrophic injuries. If the insurance company refuses to pay you what you deserve, we are ready and willing to go to court and fight for your right to fair compensation.
Book a Free Consultation With Us in Queens, NY
After suffering catastrophic injuries at the hands of a negligent party, please do not hesitate to book your free consultation! Our Queens injury lawyers will help determine your percentage of fault and let you know what your case may be worth. When it comes to catastrophic injuries that change your life forever, we typically find that patients are eligible for compensation. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free case review as soon as possible.
Siga a Shaevitz & Shaevitz en Instagram y Facebook to review the 2026 changes to the comparative fault rules in NY.
