Were you or a loved one hit by a car in Orlando or suffered another type of catastrophic injury? Perhaps you have shattered bones, severe head or spine injuries, burns, or an amputation injury. You aren't alone if this happened to you or a family member.
The Orlando catastrophic attorneys at Miller & Jacobs, Accident Attorneys, are available for a free consultation to determine if you have a valid devastating injury claim. You may receive compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more if you can prove that someone’s negligence caused your injuries.
Why Choose Us?
Our Orlando catastrophic injury lawyers at Miller & Jacobs, Accident Attorneys have represented Florida clients for several decades and have obtained almost $100 million in settlements and jury awards. Recent major settlements include:
- $11 million wrongful death settlement
- $1.2 million car accident settlement
- $1 million wrongful death settlement
- $750,000 truck accident settlement
Our Orlando personal injury attorneys are at 5401 South Kirkman Road in Orlando, Florida. We are near the Florida Turnpike and across the street from Westgate Resorts Foundation. Call (877) 848-5297 for a free consultation about your catastrophic injury case.
Remember, our catastrophic injury lawyers at Miller & Jacobs, Accident Attorneys are not compensated unless they obtain compensation in a settlement or jury verdict. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain.
Orlando Catastrophic Injury Compensation
In Florida, catastrophic injuries are severe, life-altering injuries that often result in permanent impairment, disability, or significant lifestyle changes. Compensation for these injuries in a personal injury claim aims to cover immediate and long-term losses. An Orlando catastrophic injury attorney may help you recover compensation for the following potential damages:
Medical Expenses
This compensation covers all past, current, and future medical costs related to the injury. This includes hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, assistive devices, and ongoing care such as in-home nursing. For catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injuries, these costs can extend over a lifetime.
Lost income
Compensates for income lost due to the inability to work during recovery. For catastrophic injuries, this often includes earnings lost from the time of the accident until settlement or trial.
Loss of Earning Capacity
This compensation addresses the reduction or complete loss of the victim’s ability to earn money in the future. Since catastrophic injuries (e.g., paralysis, severe brain damage) may prevent someone from returning to their previous job or working at all, this compensation reflects the diminished earning potential over their lifetime.
Pain and Suffering
Provides financial recovery for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury. This is a non-economic damage and can be significant in catastrophic injury cases due to chronic pain, trauma, or permanent changes to quality of life.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Compensates for the inability to participate in activities or hobbies the victim enjoyed before the injury. For example, someone with a catastrophic injury like an amputation or severe neurological impairment might be unable to engage in sports, travel, or family activities.
Emotional Distress
Covers psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from the injury and its consequences. This is common in cases involving disfigurement, permanent disability, or prolonged recovery.
Home and Vehicle Modifications
Includes costs to adapt living spaces or transportation to accommodate the injury. Examples are installing ramps, widening doorways, or purchasing a modified vehicle for someone with paralysis or mobility issues.
Types of Catastrophic Claims And Injuries
Common types of catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Caused by a blow or jolt to the head, leading to cognitive impairment, memory loss, or personality changes. Examples: Concussions (severe cases), skull fractures, or brain hemorrhages.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord resulting in partial or complete paralysis. Often caused by car accidents, falls, or sports injuries.
- Amputations: Loss of a limb due to trauma or surgical necessity following an injury. Common in industrial accidents or severe crashes.
- Severe Burns: Third- or fourth-degree burns that destroy skin and underlying tissues, often leading to disfigurement, infections, or loss of function. Frequently associated with fires, chemical exposure, or explosions.
- Multiple Fractures or Orthopedic Injuries: Extensive damage to bones or joints, such as a shattered pelvis or multiple broken limbs, requiring complex surgeries and long recovery periods.
- Organ Damage or Loss: Injuries to vital organs that impair bodily functions or require transplantation.
- Vision or Hearing Loss: Permanent blindness or deafness caused by trauma, explosions, or chemical exposure.
Always retain an experienced Orlando catastrophic injury lawyer to represent your interests. Getting full compensation is challenging in these cases, but your lawyer can handle it.
Accidents And Incidents That Cause Catastrophic Injuries In Orlando
Orlando is a thriving community and catastrophic injuries happen for many reasons in these sectors:
Car Crashes
Orlando’s busy roads, including highways like I-4, see frequent high-speed collisions, rear-end crashes, and T-bone accidents. These can lead to catastrophic outcomes like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage, especially in head-on or rollover incidents. In 2022, Orange County reported 26,252 traffic crashes, with 20,725 injuries, highlighting the prevalence of severe outcomes.
Common troublesome Orlando intersections for serious accidents include Colonial Drive (Highway 50), John Young Parkway, Kirkman Road, and Vineland Road.
Truck Accidents
Collisions involving large commercial vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, often result in devastating injuries due to their size and weight. These accidents can cause crush injuries, internal organ damage, or paralysis, particularly on congested routes in the Orlando metro area.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists lack the protective structure of a car, making them highly vulnerable. High-speed crashes or collisions with vehicles can lead to TBIs, fractures, or amputations. Orlando’s traffic and tourist-heavy roads increase this risk.
Pedestrian Accidents
With areas like International Drive attracting tourists, pedestrian accidents are common. Being struck by a vehicle can result in severe head trauma, spinal injuries, or fatalities. In 2022, Orlando crashes caused 53 fatal injuries, with pedestrians among the most vulnerable.
Bicycle Accidents
Cyclists face similar risks to pedestrians, especially on busy streets or intersections like Kirkman Rd. and Vineland Rd. Impacts can cause catastrophic injuries such as skull fractures or permanent disability.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Falls from heights or on poorly maintained premises can lead to spinal cord injuries or brain trauma. These are notable in Orlando’s tourism-driven economy, where premises liability cases arise.
Theme Park Accidents
Like those on International Drive, Orlando's amusement parks occasionally see ride malfunctions or operator errors leading to catastrophic injuries. A notable example is the 2022 Orlando FreeFall incident, where a teenage boy died in a tragic accident.
Fighting The Insurance Company After A Catastrophic Injury
Insurance fights are common after a catastrophic injury. After all, millions of dollars could be at stake if you or your loved one require long-term medical care. Expect the liable insurance company to be complicated. You should hire Miller & Jacobs, Accident Attorneys, to handle your Orlando catastrophic injury claim. They can deal with complex insurance adjusters, and you can focus on your recovery:
Insurance Adjusters May Contest Medical Necessity Of Treatments
Catastrophic injuries, like spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or amputations, often lead to significant medical expenses, ongoing care needs, and a drastic change in the quality of life, making the claims process more complex and contentious than with minor injuries. The at-fault insurance company may question your injuries and the need for so many medical procedures.
Insurance Coverage Delays
Insurance companies are in the business of minimizing payouts, and with catastrophic injury claims, where compensation can reach into the millions, they often pull out all the stops. One frequent headache is delays; insurers might drag their feet on processing your claim, hoping you’ll settle quickly out of desperation.
They could request endless documentation, like medical records or proof of lost income, only to nitpick details or claim something’s missing. Another tactic is disputing liability, arguing that the policyholder wasn’t entirely at fault or that your actions contributed to the injury, which can reduce what they owe under laws like comparative negligence.
Lowball Settlement Offers
Then there’s the lowball offer. Insurers might present a settlement that covers immediate medical bills but ignores future care costs, lost earning potential, or pain and suffering—key components of a catastrophic injury claim. For example, if you’ve got a brain injury, the initial offer might not account for years of therapy or the fact that you can’t return to your old job. They’re banking on you not knowing the full scope of your rights or being too overwhelmed to fight back.
The best way to fight back against frustrating insurance games is this: Don’t play. The adjusters want you and your family to get frustrated and give up. This means you may settle for less than you deserve. So don’t play their game. Let your Orlando catastrophic injury attorney work with the insurance company.
What To Do After A Catastrophic Injury In Orlando
A catastrophic injury to you or a loved one is a dire matter. Whether it’s an amputation, brain or spinal cord injury, severe burns, organ damage, or something else, ensuring your health and legal options must be addressed as follows:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Your health is the top priority. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room, Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, or another local facility. Even if you don’t feel immediate pain, some injuries, like traumatic brain injuries or internal damage, may not show symptoms right away. Prompt medical care also records your injuries, which is critical for future legal claims.
Document the Incident
As soon as possible, gather evidence. Take photos or videos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any contributing factors, such as a damaged vehicle, a slippery surface, or faulty equipment. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information. This documentation can be vital for proving what happened. Your Orlando catastrophic injury attorney will want all documentation you or your loved one has of the incident.
Report the Incident
Depending on the situation, report the injury to the appropriate party. For example:
- Car accident: Contact the police and file a report.
- Workplace injury: Notify your employer immediately.
- Premises accident: Inform the property owner or manager.
- A formal report establishes an official record of the event.
Preserve Evidence
Keep any physical evidence, such as torn clothing, damaged equipment, or medical devices used during treatment. Avoid repairing or discarding anything involved in the incident until you’ve consulted a professional.
Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan
The at-fault party’s insurance company will try to deny responsibility or lower your settlement amount. So, you should always follow your doctor’s treatment plan and attend every medical appointment and treatment. A catastrophic injury usually necessitates long-term care, and you should do what your doctor says for your own health, too.
Contact an Orlando Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Catastrophic injuries, like spinal cord damage, amputations, or severe burns, often have lifelong consequences, so legal guidance is vital. Reach out to an experienced attorney in Orlando as soon as possible. In Florida, you generally have two years from the injury date to file a lawsuit, but acting quickly ensures evidence is preserved and your case is strong. Many lawyers offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, meaning no upfront costs.
Notify Your Insurance Company
If applicable, inform your insurance provider promptly. Florida’s no-fault insurance system means your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage may cover initial medical costs. Still, you may need to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault party for severe injuries. You should always have an Orlando catastrophic accident lawyer handle the other party’s insurance company.
Speak To An Orlando Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Now
Suffering a catastrophic injury is life-changing in the worst way. Suddenly, you cannot do things you used to take for granted, such as walk, play with your kids, work, or care for yourself. In this dire situation, you should rely on our Orlando catastrophic injury lawyer at Miller & Jacobs, Accident Attorneys, to fight for your rights. Our proven personal injury attorneys could help you receive compensation for your injuries and losses. Call today for a free consultation at (877) 848-5297.