Catastrophic Injury Attorneys in Colorado Springs

Our Colorado Springs Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Serve Victims of Serious Injuries Throughout Southern Colorado

Catastrophic injuries can lead to long-term physical limitations, emotional distress, and financial hardships, heavily impacting your life and your family. You may be able to pursue a catastrophic injury claim to compensate you monetarily for each of the ways your life has been impacted by the incident. Our experienced catastrophic injury lawyers at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can identify each of these harms and losses you have suffered and may continue to suffer due to someone else’s negligence.

If someone else caused your injury, the party at fault should be held responsible.  At Heuser & Heuser, LLP in Colorado Springs, we’ll thoroughly investigate the cause of your catastrophic injuries to hold the liable party accountable and pursue the maximum compensation allowed by law for your claim.

Call us at (719) 520-9909(719) 520-9909 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation so we can assess your case and begin your path to recovery and justice.

Key Takeaways:

• Catastrophic injuries may involve traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, loss of limbs, burn injury, broken bones or fractures, disfigurement, or a variety of serious internal or musculoskeletal injuries.
• Heuser & Heuser, LLP helps catastrophic injury victims seek compensation for their injuries caused by someone else’s negligence in Colorado Springs and throughout Southern Colorado.
• Catastrophic injury victims should seek immediate medical attention, which encourages proper diagnosis, helps physical recovery, and supports an eventual catastrophic injury claim.
• Colorado’s filing deadline for catastrophic injuries can be as short as two years, depending on the details of the case. Victims need to gather evidence and prepare a legal strategy well before that deadline.
• Heuser & Heuser, LLP offers free consultations and can work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay for legal services if Heuser & Heuser, LLP wins compensation for you. It is in your interest to request a free case evaluation today to determine the right next steps for your Southern Colorado catastrophic injury case.

Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries in Southern Colorado

You may have a catastrophic injury if it has a significant physical, financial, psychological, and emotional impact on your life.

In contrast, you probably do not have a catastrophic injury if you are able to return to work without incurring hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses.

Some common types of injuries that could be catastrophic include the following:

• Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
• Third-degree and full-thickness burns
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Disfigurement and skin scarring
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Hip injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Dental and facial injuries
• Loss of limbs
• Back injuries and herniated discs
• Organ failure and internal bleeding
• Lacerations that lead to septic shock

Schedule a free consultation with our catastrophic personal injury lawyers at Heuser & Heuser, LLP if you have suffered a serious injury due to someone else’s negligence. Tell us your story, and we will tell you if you have a case.

What You Need to Prove a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Colorado Springs

To prove a catastrophic personal injury claim in Colorado, the injured party must meet the “preponderance of the evidence” standard. This means the evidence must show it is more likely than not that the defendant’s actions or negligence caused the injury. The standard requires proving each of the four elements of negligence:

1. Duty of Care: The responsible party must have owed a duty of care to the injured individual. For example, drivers owe a duty to follow traffic laws, and property owners must maintain safe premises.
2. Breach of Duty: The responsible party must have failed to meet their duty of care. This could involve negligence, such as running a red light or failing to fix hazardous conditions.
3. Causation: The breach of duty must directly cause the catastrophic injury. Evidence like medical records, accident reports, and expert testimony can establish this link.
4. Damages: The injury must lead to measurable damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, and non-economic impacts like pain and suffering. Colorado law allows catastrophic injury victims to claim compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.

Types of Evidence That May Support a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Colorado

An attorney for catastrophic injury at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can help you gather the following types of evidence and use them to support your Colorado catastrophic injury claim:

• Accident or Incident Reports: Official police reports, workplace incident logs, or premises liability documentation provide detailed accounts of the event and help to establish liability.
• Medical Records and Expert Testimony: Documentation of diagnoses, treatment plans, long-term prognoses, and medical opinions can demonstrate the severity of the injuries and link them to the incident.
• Visual Evidence: Photos or videos of the scene, injuries, property damage, or hazardous conditions can often serve as compelling support for the claim.
• Witness Statements: Testimony from bystanders or other witnesses can confirm the responsible party’s actions and the events leading to the injury.
• Financial Loss Documentation: Pay stubs, tax returns, or invoices showing lost income, medical expenses, and other economic damages help quantify the financial impact.
• Expert Analysis: Input from accident reconstruction specialists, vocational rehabilitation consultants, or life care planners can clarify causation, disability, and future expenses.
• Communication Records: Texts, emails, or other correspondence indicating negligence or admissions of fault can strengthen the case.

A Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can help you gather the evidence you need to pursue financial compensation in the form of a fair settlement. We can address the evidence you need for your claim during your free consultation.

Types of Accidents or Incidents That Cause Catastrophic Injuries in Colorado Springs

Various types of injuries and scenarios can lead to catastrophic injury cases in Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado:

• Auto Accidents: These incidents include collisions involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians. High-impact scenarios such as head-on collisions or multi-car pileups often lead to severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage.
• Slip and Fall Accidents: Falls in poorly maintained public or private spaces, like wet grocery store floors or icy sidewalks, can cause broken hips, severe concussions, or back injuries. Colorado premises liability laws hold property owners responsible when negligence contributes to such injuries.
• Dog Bites: Dog bites in Colorado Springs can cause catastrophic injuries such as deep lacerations, nerve damage, disfigurement, or infections like rabies. Severe attacks may lead to permanent disabilities, particularly when children or vulnerable individuals are involved. Under Colorado’s strict liability law, dog owners are liable for damages if their dog causes serious injury or death, as long as the victim was lawfully on the property.
• Vehicle Product Liability: Defective vehicle components, including brake failures, faulty tires, or airbag malfunctions, can lead to catastrophic accidents. For instance, when an airbag fails to deploy properly during impact, the driver or passengers may suffer life-threatening head or chest injuries. These incidents can often be categorized into manufacturing defects, design flaws, or failure to warn.
• Workplace Accidents: Hazardous conditions in construction zones, manufacturing facilities, or oil and gas sites can lead to injuries such as amputations or crush injuries. Injuries in the course of employment may qualify for Workers’ Compensation benefits. Incidents like machinery malfunctions or falls from scaffolding are unfortunately common causes of catastrophic injuries.
• Work-Related Car Accidents: Delivery drivers, rideshare workers, or employees traveling for business purposes who are involved in car accidents may sustain catastrophic injuries. These victims may also qualify for Workers’ Comp benefits. For example, a delivery driver hit by a negligent motorist while making a stop could face extensive medical treatment and loss of function.

An experienced personal injury attorney at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can guide you to seek the compensation you need if someone else caused your injury in Southern Colorado. Schedule your free case evaluation today. Tell us what happened, and we will tell you if you have a case.

How Catastrophic Injury Victims in Colorado Springs Can Pursue Maximum Compensation

When someone suffers a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, the law allows them to seek compensation to account for the wide-reaching consequences of the harm they have suffered. The list of harms and losses for which an injury victim seeks compensation are called damages.

Colorado law recognizes two main categories of damages in personal injury claims: economic and non-economic. Accounting for these fully is key when calculating the worth of your Colorado catastrophic injury claim.

Economic Damages

Economic damages address the measurable financial impact of the injury. These damages focus on both the past monetary costs and the expected future expenses due to the injury. The following are examples of economic damages:

• Medical Expenses: Covers past and future medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, assistive devices, and home care. Colorado statutes allow claimants to claim the full value billed by medical providers.
• Lost Income: Compensation for wages lost due to time away from work, including future earnings for those permanently unable to return to their job. Documentation such as pay stubs or tax returns helps to calculate this.
• Future Care Costs: Includes long-term or lifetime care expenses for injuries requiring ongoing treatment, such as in-home nursing or accessibility modifications like ramps.
• Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Reimburses additional costs directly related to the injury, like transportation to medical appointments or hiring help for household tasks.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages provide compensation for subjective losses that are not as easily quantified. These damages are designed to address the emotional, physical, and psychological effects of a catastrophic injury. The following are examples of non-economic damages:

• Pain and Suffering: Accounts for physical discomfort, ongoing pain, and the debilitating impact of the injury on daily life.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensates for being unable to partake in hobbies, activities, or experiences the victim previously enjoyed.
• Disfigurement: Addresses the emotional and psychological toll related to visible changes, such as scarring or amputation.
• Mental Anguish: Compensation for depression, anxiety, or other emotional distress caused by the life-altering nature of the injury.
• Loss of Consortium: Provides relief for a spouse or family member due to lost companionship, affection, or support due to the injury.

By meticulously identifying and accounting for both economic and non-economic damages, injury victims in Colorado Springs can pursue comprehensive compensation that addresses each dimension of their loss. Our attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can guide you, beginning with a free consultation.

Colorado’s Laws Affect The Money You Can Seek in a Catastrophic Injury Claim

The total value of your Southern Colorado catastrophic injury claim depends on several laws particular to our state, including the at-fault insurance system, the statute of limitations, and modified comparative negligence rules.

Fault Insurance Rules in Colorado

Colorado follows fault insurance laws, also known as an “at-fault” insurance system. This means that the individual responsible for causing an accident is financially liable for damages due to the incident. Victims can seek compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance, negotiate a settlement, or file a lawsuit.

For example, if Driver A runs a red light and collides with Driver B’s vehicle, Driver A is considered at-fault. Driver B can pursue a claim with Driver A’s auto insurance to cover medical costs, property damage, and other losses.

If multiple parties share responsibility, liability may depend on each party’s degree of fault under Colorado’s comparative negligence rule.

Statute of Limitations for Catastrophic Injury Claims in Colorado

The statute of limitations for filing a catastrophic injury claim in Colorado differs based on the nature of the incident. Victims usually have two years to file a claim from the date of the injury. For injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents, the deadline is extended to three years from the date of the crash.

Modified Comparative Negligence in Colorado

Colorado applies a modified comparative negligence rule to personal injury claims. This rule reduces the compensation a victim can claim based on their percentage of fault. If the victim is 50% or more at fault, they cannot claim damages.

To illustrate this rule:

• If a pedestrian is injured while crossing against the light and is found 30% at fault, they are eligible for 70% of the awarded compensation. For instance, if the total damages amount to $100,000, the pedestrian would be eligible for $70,000.
• If the pedestrian is determined to be 50% or more at fault, they would not be eligible for any compensation under this rule.

Our experienced injury attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can assess your level of fault and estimate the value of your catastrophic injury case during a free case evaluation. Tell us your story, and we will tell you what your claim is worth.

How a Catastrophic Injury Attorney Can Help You at Heuser & Heuser, LLP in Colorado Springs

Our attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP can help you seek the compensation you need for your recovery, guiding you throughout your case:

• Case Evaluation: Our attorneys review the details of the accident during a free consultation and determine if the injury meets the legal definition of a catastrophic injury under Colorado Law.
• Identifying Liable Parties: We investigate the incident to identify each of the responsible parties. For example, in a workplace injury, this could include both an employer and a third-party equipment manufacturer.
• Handling Insurance Claims: Our lawyers deal directly with insurance companies, helping injury victims avoid settling for less than their claimed losses. We push for compensation under the law for both economic and non-economic damages.
• Collecting Evidence: Our firm compiles the necessary documentation, such as medical records, photos, witness statements, and expert analyses, to strengthen a client’s case.
• Calculating Damages: We make sure the list of damages accounts for both current and future costs, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life, to pursue fair compensation.
• Meeting Legal Deadlines: Our attorneys properly file cases ahead of the statute of limitations on the client’s behalf so the case remains valid.
• Representation in Court: If the other party does not agree to a settlement, our attorneys represent the victim in court, advocating for their right to seek compensation for the harms and losses they have suffered.
• Providing Guidance: Our lawyers guide catastrophic injury victims and their families throughout the case, handling the legal processes as we pursue our client’s best interests. We explain and address Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rules in the context of the catastrophic injury incident in question, pursuing a tailored case strategy seeking the maximum compensation under Colorado Law.

Tell us your story during a free consultation, and we will coordinate with you to investigate and gather evidence, protect your case as we negotiate with insurance companies, and handle your legal claim to seek an appropriate settlement that accounts for the full impact of the harms and losses you have suffered from the catastrophic injury incident.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Heuser & Heuser, LLP to Discuss Your Catastrophic Injury Claim in Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado

If you have suffered a catastrophic injury in Colorado Springs or the surrounding Southern Colorado area caused by someone else’s negligence, our catastrophic attorneys at Heuser & Heuser, LLP will assist you in your recovery and seek compensation on your behalf. Our law firm will evaluate your case for free, and we can work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us if we win money for you in your case.

While our injury lawyers provide you legal representation, you can focus on your life and recovery. We know how to avoid the serious pitfalls that can harm your personal injury case. We are dedicated to pursuing justice for catastrophic injury victims like you and giving you peace of mind while we seek the money you need to cover your losses and support your recovery.

Call us at (719) 520-9909(719) 520-9909 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation so we can assess your case and begin your path to recovery and justice.

Southern Colorado Locals Committed to Providing You Peace of Mind on Your Road to Recovery