Catastrophic Injuries Attorney in St. Louis, Missouri

A catastrophe comes out of nowhere and permanently alters life after the accident. Living with catastrophic injuries is extremely distressing physically, mentally, and emotionally. You may suffer for years after the incident that caused your injuries, and life will never be the same.  

Whether you suffered an accident at work or on the road, or you were involved in another type of accident that was not your fault, you deserve the chance to seek compensation for your injuries. Your life may never be the same, but that doesn’t mean that the party responsible for your injury should continue on without facing the consequences.  

With the help of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney, you can seek to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. Joe Phillips can help you understand your options in the legal system and guide you in building a strong case. He has over 15 years of experience representing clients in personal injury cases. Prior to that, he was on the other side of the courtroom, representing insurance companies and large corporations. He thoroughly understands both sides of the law and can guide you through each step of the process.  

The Law Offices of Joe Phillips proudly represents clients in St. Louis, Missouri, as well as St. Charles County, Jefferson County, and St. Louis County.

What Are Catastrophic Injuries? 

A catastrophic injury is defined as an injury that leaves the individual permanently unable to work. These injuries could result in a permanent disability and usually occur both suddenly and with little or no warning. They cause serious stress and result in ongoing rehabilitation and expensive medical bills. 

Catastrophic injuries include: 

• Spinal cord injuries 

• Severe burns 

• Serious head trauma 

• Bone fractures 

• Brain injuries 

• Foot, back, neck, eye, and shoulder injuries 

• Paralysis, paraplegia, and quadriplegia 

• Other lifelong injuries 

Catastrophic injuries are commonly caused by motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, sports injuries, defective products, and slip and fall accidents.  

Personal Injury Claims in Missouri 

If you can prove fault in a catastrophic accident, you may be able to receive compensation by filing a personal injury claim. It is helpful to be familiar with the following basic rules regarding personal injury claims. 

Statute of Limitations 

Once the statute of limitations has expired, you will no longer be able to file your claim. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Missouri is five years after the date of the accident. Once five years have passed, you will no longer be able to bring your claim to court.  

Fault State 

Missouri follows the pure comparative fault rule. According to this rule, if the accident was partially your fault, then any financial compensation for a catastrophic injury you are awarded will be reduced by the percentage of your fault.  

For example, if the accident was 25% your fault, and you were going to receive $10,000, you would ultimately receive $7,500 instead. 

Missouri Wrongful Death Suit 

In the worst-case scenario, you may have lost a loved one in a catastrophic accident. You can seek to hold the party who was responsible for the accident legally accountable for their actions. It is possible to file a wrongful death suit if the person who passed away would have been able to file a personal injury claim had they survived.  

The deceased’s close relations can file a wrongful death suit, including their:

• Surviving spouse 

• Children 

• Grandchildren 

• Parents 

• Siblings 

• Children of the siblings 

• Representative of the deceased’s estate  

Consult with an experienced catastrophic injury attorney to learn more about filing a wrongful death claim. 

Possible Recoverable Damages 

It is possible to recover monetary compensation for the damages you are suffering due to the accident. Financial compensation for a catastrophic accident can include funds to cover economic damages, such as medical bills, lost income due to missing time at work, and other measurable costs. You may also be able to receive compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.