Are you suffering from a catastrophic injury because of someone else’s negligence? Were you hurt in Columbus, Ohio? If so, a Columbus catastrophic injury lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries.
The Columbus catastrophic injury attorneys at Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC have over 71 years of combined experience. We can handle the most complex catastrophic injury cases.
Contact our office in Columbus, OH, at (614) 587-8423 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case today.
How Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC Can Help After a Catastrophic Injury In Columbus, OH
Many people who suffer a catastrophic injury spend a lot of time in doctors’ offices. It takes time to recover from these injuries. This medical care is expensive, and the bills add up. You might not have the time or resources to take on a legal case after a serious injury.
Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, can step in to help catastrophic injury victims pursue justice. Our team of dedicated Columbus catastrophic injury lawyers has won hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.
When you hire our law firm to represent you, you can expect our Columbus personal injury lawyers to handle every aspect of your legal case, including:
- Explaining your rights
- Calculating your damages
- Filing insurance claims
- Collecting evidence
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Reviewing your medical records
- Consulting with expert witnesses
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
- Going to trial on your behalf
Our lawyers understand that catastrophic injuries may change every aspect of your life. That’s why we are dedicated to helping clients access the money they need to become whole again.
Call us to schedule a free consultation today with our Columbus catastrophic injury lawyer.
What Is My Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?
To get an idea of the value of your catastrophic injury case, you should consider the following questions:
- Are your injuries permanent and/or disabling?
- Are you unable to work or advance in your career because of your injuries?
- Do you have expensive medical bills?
- Will you require ongoing medical treatment or rehabilitation?
- Are you unable to enjoy the same activities that you did before the accident?
- Have you experienced physical pain or mental trauma because of the injury or accident?
If you answer ‘yes’ to several of these questions, your case is likely to be worth more money. However, insurance policies or if you are partially responsible for the accident can impact the case value.
The best way to understand your case’s worth is to speak with a catastrophic injury lawyer. They can help you calculate your damages so that you understand what you are entitled to recover.
What Kind of Damages Are Available To Catastrophic Injury Accident Victims?
Under Ohio law, catastrophic injury victims can recover economic damages and non-economic damages. In certain cases, they can also ask for punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are financial losses that happen as a result of an accident or an injury. Economic damages are tangible and have an exact dollar figure. This makes it easy to calculate.
Common economic damages include:
- Lost wages or salary
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Medical devices
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
A lawyer can help you calculate your economic damages. You might be entitled to payment for services, products, or losses you hadn’t considered before talking with an attorney.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intangible losses, also known as pain and suffering.
A victim can request non-economic damages for:
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
- Mental illness (like PTSD, anxiety, or depression)
There are several different ways to calculate non-economic damages. One of the most common ways is the multiplier method. This is when you multiply your economic damages by a number that represents the severity of your injury.
However, there is a cap on the amount of non-economic damages you can recover in Ohio. The cap is up to $250,000 or three times your economic damages, whichever is greater.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are a special form of damages. The purpose is to punish a defendant and deter future bad behavior. Punitive damages are only available to accident victims if the defendant acted with malice or aggravated or egregious fraud.
This can be difficult to prove. Furthermore, there is a cap on the amount of punitive damages that you can recover. The cap is two times your economic and non-economic damages up to $350,000.
If you think that you are entitled to punitive damages, you will most likely need a lawyer to help you recover them.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Columbus Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?
A catastrophic injury lawyer doesn’t need to be expensive. Most will charge a contingency fee. This fee is dependent on the amount of money that you win at the end of the case. The lawyer will take a percentage of the settlement or award as their compensation.
If you don’t win any money and lose the case, you won’t need to pay the lawyer. Furthermore, you aren’t obligated to pay the lawyer by the hour or as the case progresses.
This is extremely beneficial to clients. It helps more people access justice even though they may be struggling financially. Furthermore, it ensures that the lawyer is always working hard for their client. After all, if they lose the case, they won’t get paid for their time.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Catastrophic Injury In Ohio?
In many cases, you can still recover compensation if you are responsible for your catastrophic injury.
Ohio follows a modified comparative fault law. Under this rule, you can recover money as long as you are 50% or less responsible for the accident. If you are 51% or more responsible, you can’t recover anything.
If you are 50% or less responsible, then your damages are reduced by your percentage share of responsibility. For example, if you are 25% at fault, then you can recover 75% of your damages. Because of this rule, don’t accept responsibility until speaking with a lawyer.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are serious injuries with lifelong consequences. This type of injury usually has a significant impact on quality of life and day-to-day functioning.
The consequences may also include ongoing pain, permanent disfigurement or disability, or the need for consistent medical treatment.
Some of the most common types of catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and long-term neurological damage
- Spinal cord injuries or paralysis
- Loss of eyesight or hearing
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Severe organ damage
If you or a loved one has experienced a catastrophic injury, call our law firm to set up a time to talk about your legal options. We will work with your doctors to understand the injury and its impact on your life.
What Causes Most Catastrophic Injuries In Columbus, Ohio?
Any type of accident can cause a catastrophic injury.
In Columbus, Ohio, the following cause the most catastrophic injuries:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Slip and falls
- Birth injuries
- Defective products
- Work accidents
- Construction accidents
However, a catastrophic injury can result from any type of accident. If you were hurt in another way, don’t hesitate to call injury lawyers in Columbus for advice.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Catastrophic Injury In Ohio?
Many catastrophic injury cases will hinge on negligence. The plaintiff will need to prove that the defendant was negligent and, therefore, responsible for their damages.
Negligence is a tort theory that has four different elements, including:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care
- The defendant breached the duty of care
- This breach caused the plaintiff’s damages
- The amount of damages
The plaintiff must prove each element by a preponderance of the evidence. That means that it is more likely than not. They will lose the case if they fail to prove even one part of negligence.
While it might seem simple to prove negligence, it can become complicated, particularly if multiple defendants are responsible for the accident. In that case, each might point the finger at someone else.
It’s best to consult with a lawyer to understand negligence and how to prove it in your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Ohio?
In Ohio, you only have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit based on your accident, but this time will go quickly. Don’t delay reaching out to a Columbus catastrophic injury lawyer. It is important to start on your case immediately.
Contact Our Columbus Catastrophic Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
After sustaining a catastrophic injury in Columbus, OH, it is important to get the help that you need. Our Columbus catastrophic injury attorneys are here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Call Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, to schedule a free initial consultation. This is the perfect opportunity to meet your lawyer and learn more about your legal options.
