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Personal injury claims can apply to many car accident injuries

On Behalf of | Jul 9, 2017 | Blog, Firm News

Vehicle accidents can have devastating consequences — even if they seem insignificant at first. If you are involved in a crash, you might be happy just to have survived, and if there are no obvious broken bones or blood-gushing wounds, you might even refuse an ambulance trip to the hospital. You could, however, regret this later, as some injuries only become evident in time.

In contrast, you might have suffered severe injuries that required emergency surgery, intensive care and more. Regardless of the nature of your injuries, you will have to face financial consequences — from not only medical expenses, but also lost income and other related costs.

Typical vehicle accident injuries

Advisors in Connecticut often suggest that accident victims should always have a medical evaluation done, even if they believe they were uninjured. A thorough medical examination may pick up potential problems that could cause future health issues. Doctors’ reports will be necessary if such injuries lead to a personal injury lawsuit at a later stage. Here are some notes about the five most common crash injuries and the impact they can have on your life and your financial stability:

  • Neck Injuries — These can cause herniated discs that may need surgery or extensive physical therapy. However, you may not realize the rapid movement of your head on impact might have caused whiplash injuries that are invisible but could have long-term consequences. These neck sprains and strains could resolve themselves or they can cause chronic pain for years.
  • Bone fractures — The severity of these injuries depends on which bones were broken, and the how they broke. Clean breaks may require nothing more than a cast, but splintered bones or other multiple fractures may require surgery to fit metal pieces such as plates and screws. With compound fractures that involve bones piercing the skin, major surgical procedures may follow because of the high risk of infections and extreme pain levels.
  • Legs and Knees — While many car accidents cause upper body and head injuries, most major crashes also result in severe injuries to the legs and knees of occupants. Cuts, bruises and broken bones of legs, ankles, feet and toes are as common as dislocated knees in high-impact crashes.
  • Back Injuries — These injuries involve strains or dislocation of discs that might need no more than supportive care. However, major accidents can cause serious spinal injuries that could leave you with chronic pain, and severe spinal damage may even cause paralysis.
  • Brain Injuries — Traumatic brain injuries include any head trauma that results from the movement of the brain within the walls of the skull. The sudden motion of the head in whiplash movements — even if the head does not strike the windshield or steering wheel — can cause trauma to the brain. It could only be a concussion that will likely only need a rest period as treatment, or this type of injury could be a mild contusion, requiring some hospitalization. Severe brain injuries can be irreversible and have life-changing consequences.

Regardless of the type of injuries you suffered — or the severity of them – as a victim of another party’s negligence, you can file a personal injury lawsuit in pursuit of financial relief to help you cope with the consequences of a car accident. Along with your medical expenses, you can claim lost income and other damages. If applicable, these could include medical equipment, such as a wheelchair, and even modifications to your home to accommodate physical limitations after the accident.

 

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36-year-old laborer for landscaping company fractured wrist when fellow employee hit him with truck. Claimant received in excess of $30,000 in workers’ compensation benefits for total disability and medical expenses and settled with automobile insurance company for fellow employee for $95,000.

1989 workers’ compensation claim settled for $125,000. Claimant originally sustained a low back injury when she slipped and fell at local grocery store resulting in low back surgery in 1989. Several years later, claimant exacerbated her low back injury. Claim was reopened and settled with carrier for $125,000 in 2006.

47-year-old deli clerk sustained low back injuries at work for local supermarket. Carrier originally denied claim on the grounds that the injury was pre-existing. After formal workers’ compensation hearing carrier accepted claim and paid all total disability benefits and medical expenses in excess of $100,000. Case then settled for an additional $100,000 after injured person received a permanent disability rating.

34-year-old male roofer sustained multiple injuries to his shoulder, neck, back and hip when he fell from roof during work. Claimant was provided workers’ compensation benefits in excess of $100,000 and settled remaining claims for an additional $55,000.

40-year-old male working for cleaning company sustained neck and low back injuries when he fell on defective staircase while cleaning local museum. Claimant recovered over $95,000 in workers’ compensation benefits and resolved claim against museum for $85,000.

26-year-old laborer sustained fractured foot when a cast iron pipe was dropped on his foot. Employer and workers’ compensation carrier denied claim on basis that injured worker was an independent contractor. After a series of informal and formal workers’ compensation hearings, carrier conceded that claimant was an employee and settled case for $85,000.

24-year-old waitress sustained back injury while working at Outback Steak House. Workers’ compensation insurance company initially denied the claim. After a series of informal hearings, carrier accepted claim paying medical expenses and total disability benefits. In addition to those benefits paid, claim settled for an additional $75,000.

Delivery truck driver sustained right wrist fracture in rear-end motor vehicle accident while in the course of his employment. Claimant recovered in excess of $40,000 in workers’ compensation benefits for medical expenses and total disability benefits. Claimant settled case against at-fault driver for $105,000.

22-year-old male working as stocking clerk at “big box” retailer sustained herniated disc in low back. Workers’ compensation carrier refused to accept the claim. After formal workers’ compensation, hearing commissioner ordered carrier to pay over $35,000 in past total disability benefits and pay for surgery and all related medical expenses. Case settled for an additional $35,000 for a total recovery in excess of $100,000.

Rear-end collision on entrance ramp to Merritt Parkway resulting in 49-year-old woman sustaining mid-back injury. Case settled at mediation after filing suit for $300,000.

28-year-old passenger sustained multiple herniated discs in automobile accident in New York state. New York no-fault carrier paid for extended period of disability from work and medical expenses, including expenses for surgery. Case settled against driver of vehicle for $300,000 policy limits shortly after filing suit.

54-year-old man sustains shoulder injury when hit from behind by uninsured motorist on New Jersey Turnpike. Case settled for $135,000 prior to trial.

CT Transit bus driver sustained torn meniscus in collision with another vehicle. Claims made against at-fault driver, workers’ compensation carrier and client’s underinsured motorist policy. All claims settle for a recovery in excess of $100,000.

68-year-old woman sustained neck and back injuries in rear-end collision and required extended course physical therapy, but was not a surgical candidate. Case settled for $100,000 prior to filing suit.

34-year-old woman sustained concussion and neck and back injuries in hit-and-run accident on a New York highway. Claimant settled uninsured motorist claim for her $100,000 policy limits.

80-year-old woman sustained right foot fracture when her foot was run over in a parking lot. Case settled for at-fault driver’s policy limit of $100,000 prior to filing suit.

38-year-old nanny sustained right femur fracture when she fell down defective stairs in home of her employer’s neighbor. All medical expenses and lost wages reimbursed and case settled for an additional $150,000.

Claim against landlord for defective staircase in multi-family rental house. Claimant sustained a right femur fracture. Case settled for $125,000 prior to filing suit.

$95,000 judgment obtained against bar and nightclub for assault by one of its patrons against another patron.

47-year-old woman sustained a broken left wrist when she fell from porch stairs at house she was renting. Case settled for $95,000 shortly before trial.

26-year-old male bitten on leg by German shepherd. Claim against dog owner settled for $65,000 plus payment of all medical expenses.