Cleveland Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

What is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?

In the legal world, extremely severe, life-altering injuries are referred to as “catastrophic injuries.” While any injury can change your life, catastrophic injuries have particularly devastating effects. Often, victims and their families suffer immense physical and emotional pain, as well as devastating financial challenges in the wake of a catastrophic injury.

If you or someone you love was catastrophically injured due to someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, future medical expenses and lost earnings, lost quality of life, pain and suffering, and more. At Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP, we represent severely injured clients and their loved ones in all types of catastrophic injury cases. Throughout our decades in practice, we have successfully secured over a billion dollars for our clients; we have what it takes to fight for you, and we know how to win.

Contact us online or call our office today at (216) 600-0114 for a free consultation with one of our Cleveland catastrophic injury lawyers.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

As previously mentioned, any injury that is very severe and/or has life-altering effects is typically considered a “catastrophic injury.” However, some types of injuries are more often catastrophic than others.

Examples of common catastrophic injuries include:

• Amputations
• Burn injuries
• Brain injuries
• Hearing loss
• Paralysis
• Spinal cord injuries
• Vision loss

Certain severe fractures, internal organ damage, and soft tissue damage can also be considered catastrophic injuries. If you sustained any type of injury that has severely impacted your life, including your ability to work or care for yourself, or lost a loved one resulting from a serious injury, reach out to our Cleveland catastrophic injury attorneys as soon as possible to learn how we can help.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries

You may have grounds for a claim if you suffered catastrophic injuries due to:

• A motor vehicle accident
• Medical malpractice
• Nursing home abuse
• A workplace accident
• Unsafe property conditions
• A bicycle or pedestrian accident
• A boating or ATV accident
• Police misconduct
• Unsafe drugs or defective products

The Aftermath of a Catastrophic Injury

The impact of a catastrophic injury extends far beyond the physical damage. Victims and their families often face:

• Financial Hardship: Ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and assistive equipment can cost hundreds of thousands—or even millions—over a lifetime.
• Loss of Income: Many victims are unable to return to their previous jobs, or to work at all.
• Emotional Trauma: Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common after catastrophic accidents.
• Family Burden: Loved ones may need to provide full-time care, often at great personal and financial sacrifice.

Our Cleveland catastrophic injury lawyer at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP understands these challenges. We work with medical experts, vocational specialists, and financial professionals to calculate the full scope of damages, ensuring that your claim accounts for both current and future needs.

Recovering Compensation for a Catastrophic Injury

Because catastrophic injuries have life-long effects, compensation must be carefully pursued to reflect both immediate and long-term damages. Victims may be entitled to recover:

• Medical Expenses: Hospitalization, surgeries, therapy, medications, and assistive devices.
• Lost Wages & Loss of Earning Capacity: Compensation for missed work and reduced future earnings.
• Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for physical pain and emotional distress.
• Home Modifications: Costs of wheelchairs, ramps, and other accessibility improvements.
• Long-Term Care Costs: Nursing, rehabilitation, and in-home support.
• Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the strain placed on family relationships.

Insurance companies may try to downplay the severity of your injuries or push for quick settlements that fail to meet your future needs. Our legal team is prepared to fight aggressively for the full amount you deserve.

Catastrophic Injury Claim FAQs

How is a catastrophic injury claim different from a regular personal injury claim?

Catastrophic injury claims involve long-term or permanent injuries, requiring larger settlements or verdicts to cover lifelong medical and financial needs. They are often more complex and may involve multiple liable parties.

How long do I have to file a catastrophic injury claim in Ohio?

In Ohio, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, certain exceptions may apply, so it’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

What if I can never return to work?

Your claim may include compensation for loss of earning capacity, ensuring that future lost income is accounted for in any settlement or verdict.

Who can be held liable for a catastrophic injury?

Depending on the circumstances, negligent drivers, property owners, employers, product manufacturers, or even medical providers may be held responsible.

Do catastrophic injury cases always go to trial?

Not always. Many claims are resolved through settlement negotiations. However, if a fair settlement is not possible, our firm is fully prepared to take your case to court.

Why You Need an Attorney with Experience in Serious Injury Cases

Although catastrophic injury claims may seem no different than standard personal injury cases—and, to be sure, they have many similarities—catastrophic injury cases have numerous unique complexities that often make them more challenging than typical injury claims.

For one thing, catastrophic injury claims tend to be high-value cases. Because of this, insurance companies are likely to fight very hard to dispute, devalue, or deny these claims. It is in their best interests to avoid paying out high-value claims, so they will often resort to a variety of tactics to get victims to accidentally admit fault, downplay their injuries, or make other mistakes that jeopardize their cases.

You need an attorney that knows how to fight back. At Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP, we have successfully tried—and won—numerous catastrophic injury cases over the years. We know how to anticipate the insurance company’s tactics, and we know how to build solid claims and present the evidence to a judge or jury in the most effective light. Throughout the process, we will work directly with you and provide consistent communication so you can remain up to date on the status of your case.

Request a Free Consultation Today

We know that getting back on your feet after a serious injury can be extremely difficult. You may even face new challenges that prevent you from ever returning to your normal, pre-injury life. However, with the right legal team by your side, you can fight to secure the fair compensation you need to handle current financial hardships and go on to live a meaningful life.

We encourage you to reach out to our firm at any time of day or night to discuss the next steps with a member of our team. We offer free initial consultations and do not collect any attorneys’ fees unless/until we recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf.

Get in touch with us today to get started with a complimentary case evaluation: (216) 600-0114.