A catastrophic injury happens in an instant, and it changes everything — your ability to work, the activities you love, your mental health, and your family’s future. Money can never undo that harm, but it can provide the safety net you need to rebuild. The trial attorneys at Maverick Litigation take that responsibility seriously: we fight for full and fair compensation and the accountability you deserve.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is one with permanent or long-term consequences for your physical health, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Severe burns
- Neurological injuries
- Severe orthopedic injuries
In the worst cases, a catastrophic injury leads to death — and to a wrongful death claim brought by the family.
Who Can Be Held Responsible
Individuals and businesses have a legal duty to act with reasonable care. To recover, a plaintiff must prove four elements: the defendant owed a duty of care, breached it, the breach caused the injury, and the plaintiff suffered actual damages. Not every serious injury creates liability — some are genuine accidents — but common at-fault parties include:
- Employers who ignore required safety measures or put workers at unnecessary risk
- Truck drivers and commercial operators who drive recklessly, fail to maintain vehicles, or hire untrained drivers
- Manufacturers who sell dangerous products or omit proper warnings
- Property and store owners who fail to fix known hazards
- Medical professionals who provide negligent care
Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries
Courts in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania recognize that these injuries reach far beyond the physical. Plaintiffs can seek:
- Medical bills, plus ongoing and future care — physical therapy, in-home support, future surgeries
- Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity
- The cost of adapting your life, such as making a home wheelchair accessible
- Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
Two limits matter early. First, all three states impose filing deadlines — in most cases, two years from the injury. Second, damages rules differ by state: Ohio caps non-economic damages in many cases, though the most severe injuries (permanent deformity, loss of a limb, loss of a bodily organ system) fall outside the cap; West Virginia applies its own limits in medical malpractice cases; and Pennsylvania generally does not cap damages in personal injury cases. Which rules govern your claim depends on how and where you were hurt — a question worth answering before a deadline passes.
An Attorney Who Will Fight for You
Our attorneys have represented thousands of clients and handle cases in all 55 counties of West Virginia and throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania. We know the evidence and preparation a strong catastrophic injury claim requires, and we never back down. For more information or a consultation, contact us.