Philadelphia Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
When a severe accident results in a life-changing injury for you or a family member, Pennsylvania law gives you the right to seek compensation for the harm another party caused.
These claims, however, are not like other personal injury cases. They demand a deep understanding of medicine, finance, and the law to ensure you have the resources needed for a lifetime of care.
A serious injury rewrites every part of your life. The focus should be on healing, not deciphering legal documents and fighting with insurance carriers.
Our team at Leonard Hill – Personal Injury Lawyers And Car Accident Lawyers is here to provide clear, straightforward answers to your questions. We handle the legal work so you can concentrate on what matters most: your recovery. For a no-cost discussion about your situation, call us at (215) 567-7600.
Why Choose Leonard Hill – Personal Injury Lawyers And Car Accident Lawyers?
You Work Directly With Our Team
When your life has been turned upside down, you need support you can count on. Our attorneys handle every part of your case personally. This direct attention means your questions get answered and your needs are always the priority, allowing you to focus on getting better.
- You Pay Nothing Unless We Win: We handle cases on a contingency fee basis. Simply put, you owe us nothing unless we successfully recover money for you.
- Free Case Review: We offer a confidential, no-pressure consultation to help you understand your rights and the options available to you.
A Record of Securing Families’ Futures
Our firm has recovered over $250 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients. This includes landmark results like a $12.2 million settlement in a wrongful death case.
An Accessible Office in the Heart of Philadelphia
- Address: 1700 Market Street, Suite 3150, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
- Our office is centrally located in Philadelphia’s business district, just a short walk from City Hall and Love Park.
- It is easy to reach via major transportation hubs, including SEPTA’s Regional Rail and subway stations.
What Is a Life-Altering Injury Under Pennsylvania Law?
How the Law Defines These Injuries
In legal terms, an injury is considered “catastrophic” when it causes a permanent disability, requires long-term medical intervention, or fundamentally changes a person’s quality of life. It’s an injury that prevents you from living or working in the way you did before the accident.
Common Types of Serious Injuries We Handle:
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- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): A sudden blow to the head can disrupt the brain’s normal function, affecting memory, cognitive skills, and even personality. The effects of a TBI can persist for months or years, sometimes leading to seizures, sleep disorders, or an increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can interrupt the signals between the brain and the body, leading to partial or complete paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia). The prognosis often depends on the severity of the initial injury, with most recovery occurring in the first six months.
- Severe Burn Injuries: Deep burns often require skin grafts and reconstructive surgeries, leaving permanent scars. Beyond the visible damage, severe burns create a high risk of infection, dehydration, and other life-threatening complications as the body struggles to regulate its temperature and filter damaged tissue.
- Amputations: The loss of a limb permanently changes your mobility and requires a lifetime of rehabilitation and prosthetic support.
- Internal Organ Damage: Trauma from a collision or fall can injure internal organs, leading to long-lasting medical problems that require ongoing treatment.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Pennsylvania?
For most personal injury cases in Pennsylvania, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. This deadline is set by state law under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524.
An exception exists: If your claim is against a government body (like the City of Philadelphia or a state agency), you must provide a formal notice of your intent to sue within just six months of the injury, as mandated by 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5522.
What Financial Support Can a Claim Provide?
The Goal: Planning for a Lifetime of Needs
Compensation is intended to cover every cost and loss stemming from the accident, both those you’ve already faced and those you will face for the rest of your life. A settlement or verdict must account for the reality of a lifetime of medical needs.
Economic Damages: The Measurable Costs
This is compensation for the tangible, financial losses you have incurred. We work with you to build a complete picture of these expenses.
- All medical bills: This includes everything from initial surgeries and hospital stays to medications and future procedures.
- Rehabilitation costs: Physical, occupational, and vocational therapy are often necessary to regain as much function as possible.
- Assistive devices: The costs for wheelchairs, home modifications, and specialized vehicles must be included.
- Lost income: We calculate the wages you’ve lost from being unable to work.
- Diminished earning capacity: If you cannot return to your old job or work at all, we calculate the lifetime of earnings you will lose.
Non-Economic Damages: The Human Losses
These damages are meant to acknowledge the non-financial ways the injury has reshaped your life.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress and mental anguish.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Permanent disfigurement or disability.
What if I was partially at fault?
Pennsylvania uses a “modified comparative negligence” rule, detailed in 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 7102. This rule means you can still recover damages even if you were partly to blame for the accident, as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. Your final compensation award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.
How Do These Injuries Happen in Philadelphia?
On Dangerous Roads and Intersections
Car and truck accidents are a primary cause of severe injuries in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is home to some of the most hazardous roads in the state, where high traffic volume and complex designs create dangerous conditions.
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- Roosevelt Boulevard: Cited as one of the most dangerous roads in the country, this 12-lane highway is the site of a disproportionate number of serious and fatal crashes.
- The Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) and Delaware Expressway (I-95): These major highways are notorious for congestion, narrow lanes, and high-speed collisions that can lead to devastating injuries.
- Broad Street: As a main artery through the city, Broad Street’s mix of heavy vehicle traffic, buses, and pedestrians makes it a hotspot for accidents.
At Construction and Work Sites
Philadelphia’s booming construction industry is an engine for the economy, but it also presents serious risks for workers. Falls, being struck by objects, and equipment malfunctions are frequent causes of life-altering injuries. Philadelphia County has one of the highest rates of construction accidents in Pennsylvania. Nationally, falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry.
Working With Insurance Companies After a Severe Injury
Why Their Goals Differ From Yours
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. They must balance paying legitimate claims with their financial duty to shareholders. This dynamic can create a conflict with your need for full compensation to cover a lifetime of care. Our role is to ensure your rights are protected throughout this process.
What to Expect During the Claims Process
- A Quick Settlement Offer: An insurer may present an initial offer before the full extent of your injuries and long-term medical needs are clear. Accepting this early offer may leave you without the funds needed for future surgeries, therapies, or living expenses.
- Requests for Recorded Statements: You are not required to provide a recorded statement. These interviews can include questions phrased to get you to say something that could be misinterpreted to suggest you were at fault.
- A Long and Frustrating Process: The claims process is filled with paperwork, deadlines, and investigations. As medical bills start to mount, it’s easy to get worn down and feel pressured to accept a lower settlement just to end the process. We manage this entire system for you.
What You Should Do to Protect Your Claim
While we manage the legal details, certain actions on your part will strengthen your case and support a successful outcome.
- Follow Your Treatment Plan: Stick to all recommendations from your doctors. This not only aids your physical recovery but also creates an unambiguous medical record of your injuries and the care they require.
- Keep a Journal: Document your daily pain levels, challenges with everyday tasks, and any emotional hurdles you face. This is a powerful tool for showing the full impact of the injury on your life.
- Stay Off Social Media: Anything you post can be taken out of context. An insurance company could use photos or posts to argue your injuries are not as severe as you claim. It is best to avoid posting about your accident, your recovery, or your daily activities.
- Organize Your Documents: Keep a file of all accident-related paperwork, including medical bills, prescription receipts, pay stubs showing lost wages, and any letters from insurance companies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Serious Injury Claims
What is a “life care plan” and why do I need one?
A life care plan is a detailed report that projects the full scope of your future medical needs and associated costs. Created by medical and financial experts, this document accounts for everything from future surgeries and medications to in-home care, therapy, and assistive devices. It is one of the most important tools we use to show an insurance company or a jury the true financial requirements for your future.
What does “maximum medical improvement” mean for my case?
Maximum medical improvement (MMI) is the point at which your doctors determine you have recovered as much as can be medically expected. Reaching MMI does not mean you are fully healed; it means your condition has stabilized, and any remaining impairments are likely permanent. We typically wait until you reach MMI to resolve your case, as it allows us to have a clear understanding of your long-term disabilities and future needs.
What if the person who hurt me has little or no insurance?
In this situation, we explore all other potential avenues for recovery. This could involve your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your auto insurance policy. We also investigate whether a third party, like a property owner or the manufacturer of a faulty product, might also be responsible for what happened.
Will I have to go to court?
Most serious injury cases are settled before a trial is needed. However, insurance companies are more inclined to offer a fair settlement when they know your lawyers are prepared to take your case to a Philadelphia courtroom and present it effectively to a jury. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial.
What happens if my health insurance already paid my initial medical bills?
Even if your health insurer paid for your early treatment, you are still entitled to claim the full cost of those medical expenses from the at-fault party. However, your health insurance company may have a right to be reimbursed from your settlement. This is a legal concept known as subrogation. We handle these negotiations to maximize the amount of compensation that ultimately goes to you.
Let’s Discuss Your Options.
You need a team with the experience and resources to manage these high-stakes cases. We are ready to put our knowledge to work for you and your family.
If you or someone you love is coping with a life-altering injury, contact Leonard Hill – Personal Injury Lawyers And Car Accident Lawyers today. Call (215) 567-7600 for a free, confidential conversation about how we can help.
Leonard Hill – Philadelphia Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Hill & Associates, P.C. – Philadelphia Office
Address:1700 Market St Suite 3150
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 567-7600
