Catastrophic Injury
Spinal cord injuries, amputations, severe burns, and other life-altering injuries require aggressive advocacy for maximum compensation.
Free Case ReviewCatastrophic injuries are those that permanently alter a person’s physical or cognitive abilities, often requiring lifelong medical care, rehabilitation, and adaptive assistance. These injuries do not just affect the victim — they transform the lives of entire families.
At Maples, Connick & Brendel, we understand the magnitude of what catastrophic injury victims face, and we bring the resources, determination, and compassion needed to pursue the maximum compensation these cases demand.
What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury?
While any serious injury can be life-changing, catastrophic injuries are generally defined as those that result in permanent disability or significant long-term impairment. These include spinal cord injuries and paralysis, including paraplegia and quadriplegia. Traumatic brain injuries resulting in permanent cognitive or functional impairment. Amputations and loss of limbs. Severe burn injuries requiring extensive grafting and reconstruction. Multiple fractures and crush injuries. Loss of vision or hearing. Internal organ damage requiring ongoing medical management.
The True Cost of Catastrophic Injuries
The financial impact of a catastrophic injury extends far beyond initial medical bills. Victims may require a lifetime of ongoing medical care and specialist treatment, physical and occupational therapy, psychological counseling, assisted living or full-time in-home care, wheelchair-accessible housing and vehicle modifications, prosthetic devices and assistive technology, and vocational rehabilitation or retraining.
The lifetime cost of care for a spinal cord injury can be substantial, depending on the severity and the age at which the injury occurs. We work with life care planners and economists to project these costs accurately so that our clients’ claims reflect the full scope of their needs.
Our Approach
Catastrophic injury cases require a level of preparation and resources that not every firm can provide. We invest heavily in each case from the outset — retaining top medical experts, wreck reconstruction specialists, life care planners, and vocational rehabilitation experts. We build cases designed to demonstrate not just liability, but the full human impact of the injury on our client and their family.
Insurance companies know which firms are prepared to take catastrophic cases to trial. That preparation — and that willingness — is what drives fair outcomes.
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, contact us for a free consultation. We are ready to fight for the resources your family needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Catastrophic cases involve significantly higher damages, more complex medical evidence, and the need to project lifetime costs for care and lost earning capacity. They require substantial upfront investment in expert witnesses and case preparation, and the stakes for both sides are much higher.
We work with life care planners who develop detailed projections of the medical treatment, therapy, equipment, and support services the victim will need for the rest of their life. Economists then calculate the present value of these future costs, accounting for inflation and life expectancy.
Yes. We handle all catastrophic injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. We also advance all costs of investigation and litigation.