New York Catastrophic Injury InformationA catastrophic accident usually leaves the victim with life-altering injuries. Paraplegia, back injuries, brain damage, amputation, and spinal cord injuries all require expensive medical treatment and physical rehabilitation. Serious injuries can also result in the need for life-long care and ongoing rehabilitation services. At Geller, Siegel & Coonerty, LLP, we know that the injured person may never work again or be unable to continue their chosen career. Such individuals may require physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, around-the-clock nursing care, and other medical attention. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash, truck rollover, or other serious accident, you need a lawyer dedicated to obtaining the maximum compensation allowable under the law. For more information about catastrophic injury, please review the information below, or contact a New York injury lawyer at Geller, Siegel & Coonerty, LLP. From our Manhattan office, we serve all of New York City, including Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. Catastrophic Injuries - An OverviewA catastrophic injury or illness usually occurs suddenly and without warning. Injuries that are considered catastrophic, due to the enormous impact they have on the lives of the individuals who experience them, include the following: brain injury, spinal cord injury, accidental amputation, severe burns, multiple fractures, or other, neurological disorders. A catastrophic injury or illness very often causes severe disruption to the central nervous system, which in turn affects many other systems of the body. In addition to possible loss of movement, sensation, and communicative and cognitive abilities, the injury or illness may impact respiration, circulation, skin, the urinary system, the gastrointestinal system, and other body systems. Management of such an injury is complex and requires the expertise of a team of health professionals including physicians, consultants, nurses, therapists, and counselors. Clearly, the long-term needs of someone who has experienced this type of injury far surpass those of individuals with less severe injuries. Individuals may recover from some catastrophic injuries if they receive proper, early medical treatment; however, others may experience permanent disability, significant suffering, and reduced life spans. Who Is Responsible?Determining who is responsible for catastrophic injuries can be difficult. There typically is one party directly involved at the scene. However, there may be several other less obvious parties whose conduct played a role in causing your injuries. Catastrophic injuries usually cause the victim to suffer extensive monetary damages. It is important to identify everyone who may be responsible so that complete justice may be done. An attorney experienced in handling catastrophic injury cases knows how to investigate the facts of a case and to learn the identities of every responsible party. Specific Types of Catastrophic InjuriesWhat follows is a brief discussion of some of the more common, devastating, injuries that necessitate the expertise of an attorney, knowledgeable in catastrophic injury claims, to obtain adequate financial compensation for the injured individual. If you or your loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries as the result of an accident, consult an attorney to learn your rights to compensation. A lawyer experienced in catastrophic injury litigation can help you learn what your rights are. Informed Consent in Cases of Medical MalpracticeIf you were injured as the result of a medical procedure or medication, the concept of informed consent will likely arise in any claim for your injuries that you bring against a medical professional. In many situations where medical care or treatment is provided to an individual, medical professionals are required to obtain the patient's "informed consent." Although the specific definition of informed consent may vary from state to state, it means essentially that a physician (or other medical provider) must advise a patient of all of the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives involved in any surgical procedure, medical procedure, or other course of treatment, and must obtain the patient's written consent to proceed. If you or your loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries as the result of a medical procedure or medication, consult an attorney to learn your rights to compensation. A lawyer experienced in catastrophic injury litigation can help you learn what your rights are. Motorcycle Accidents: Helmet LawsA helmet is by far the most important and most effective piece of protective equipment a motorcycle rider or passenger can wear. Helmets save lives by reducing the extent of head injuries in the event of a traffic accident. A helmetless motorcyclist involved in an accident is three times as likely to suffer a brain injury as a motorcyclist wearing a helmet. Motorcycle Accidents: Protective EquipmentThe best way to avoid litigation for the devastating injuries that can result from a motorcycle accident is to never be injured in a motorcycle accident in the first place. Easier said than done? Well, the bad news is that motorcycle riders involved in accidents face a much greater risk of injury than automobile drivers, and motorcycle riders can never be kept completely safe from injury in an accident. The good news is that developments in protective equipment can make motorcycle riders much safer than in the past, provided they take advantage of those developments. If you or your loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries as the result of a motorcycle accident, consult an attorney to learn your rights to compensation. A lawyer experienced in motorcycle accident litigation can help you learn what your rights are.
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Catastrophic Injury Information Center
Geller, Siegel & Coonerty, LLP
419 Park Ave South 7th Floor
New York, New York (NY) 10016
Phone: (212) 532-0532
Fax: (212) 532-1871
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