Los Angeles Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Los Angeles Catastrophic Injury Attorney

Every day, thousands of personal injuries occur throughout the Los Angeles area from a wide range of causes. While many victims of personal injuries are able to fully recover from these experiences, others are not so fortunate and suffer permanent complications from the harm inflicted by others. A personal injury qualifies as catastrophic when it causes long-term or permanent disabilities and medical complications for the victim.

Experienced Legal Representation for Catastrophic Injury Claims in Los Angeles, CA

If you or a loved one recently suffered such an injury due to the actions of another party, a Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorney is the ideal resource to consult to determine your options for legal recourse. The right attorney can help maximize your recovery by exploring every available channel of compensation. Even if you think you have a grasp of the damages you can seek from the defendant, you may be surprised to discover that your attorney can maximize your case award more than you initially expected.

Easton & Easton has a team of experienced attorneys who have helped many past clients recover from all types of personal injuries in Los Angeles. Whether your injury occurred from another party’s negligence or an illegal and intentional act, we can help determine the optimal path to recovering your damages and holding them accountable for the harm they’ve caused. The sooner you connect with our team, the sooner we can begin guiding you to the recovery you legally deserve.

Los Angeles Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Common Examples of Catastrophic Injuries in Los Angeles

Before you can recover compensation for damages that another party caused, you are required to prove how they caused those damages. Most of the personal injury cases filed in Los Angeles result from acts of negligence, but they may also arise from intentional misconduct. When a personal injury is catastrophic, the at-fault party can face extensive liability for the victim’s immediate and future losses that result from their actions. Some commonly cited catastrophic injuries each year include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries. Blunt force trauma to the head or any injury to the brain can have devastating effects on the victim, including cognitive impairment, sensory processing disruption, issues with language, and memory loss. One of the most challenging issues with brain injuries is how difficult they are to treat and how unpredictable they can be in terms of their long-term effects.
  • Spinal cord injuries. The spinal cord allows the brain to control the rest of the body, and any injury to the spinal cord can disrupt this connection. The spinal cord cannot heal itself like the rest of the body, so these injuries are permanent, potentially resulting in paralysis of the body connected to the spinal cord below the injury site.
  • Severe bone fractures. While some broken bones can heal completely with timely medical treatment, rest, and rehabilitation, some are so severe that they require surgical correction and cause permanent symptoms like chronic pain and nerve damage.
  • Severe burns. Burns are some of the most painful injuries anyone can suffer, and they have a high chance of causing permanent scarring. Burns may also reduce the elasticity of the skin and reduce flexibility, and their psychological impact can be devastating as well. Many burn victims require skin grafting procedures and endure severe chronic pain from these injuries.
  • Injuries from toxic exposure. Certain chemicals have the potential to cause devastating harm to the human body, both internally and externally. Some of these injuries can cause permanent medical complications and result in all types of disabilities, from neurological impairment to complications with internal organs and increased susceptibility to disease.

Ultimately, any personal injury that results in permanent disability or disfigurement qualifies as a catastrophic injury, and the victim is likely to face a very challenging road to recovery. The first step in recovering from any such catastrophic injury in Los Angeles is proving how the injury occurred and identifying the party or parties who caused it. Your Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorney can be essential for accomplishing this and securing as much compensation as possible for your damages.

Calculating Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Claim

Under California’s personal injury laws, the plaintiff in a personal injury case has the right to seek full repayment of any financial losses incurred because of a defendant’s actions, and they also have the right to pain and suffering compensation as well. Your Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorney can be invaluable when it comes to proving the full scope of your immediate and future economic damages, which are likely to include the following:

  • Medical treatment costs. Any catastrophic injury is likely to be a medical emergency that demands immediate care. Your attorney can assist you in holding a defendant accountable for all of the hospital bills, emergency transportation fees, surgery costs, and other immediate healthcare expenses arising from your injury.
  • Long-term care costs. Most catastrophic injury victims will face permanent disability and require extensive rehabilitative care. Whether you need physical therapy, multiple surgeries, ongoing counseling, occupational therapy, or any combination thereof to reach maximum possible recovery, the defendant who caused your injury is liable for all your long-term care costs.
  • Lost wages. If you cannot work in the aftermath of your catastrophic injury, the defendant is liable for the income you could not earn during this time. Your attorney can also assist you in obtaining compensation for paid time off you were forced to use after your accident.
  • Lost earning capacity. Many people who suffer catastrophic injuries cannot work in the future due to the severity of the harm done to them. If this applies to your situation, and you cannot earn as much income or cannot work at all because of your injury, the defendant is responsible for the income you can no longer earn.
  • Property losses. If the defendant damaged your home, vehicle, or other personal property, they are responsible for these losses as well.

You may be surprised to learn that You can claim far more compensation for your economic damages than you originally anticipated at the outset of your case. However, the non-economic damages you receive from a successful catastrophic injury claim are likely to amount to much more if you have the right attorney representing you.

Pain and Suffering Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries

California law allows a personal injury plaintiff to hold a defendant accountable for the intangible damages they inflicted, specifically pain and suffering. This may seem difficult to quantify, but an experienced Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorney can help determine a suitable figure to include with your civil claim.

The two most commonly used methods for calculating pain and suffering compensation in personal injury cases are the per diem method and the multiplier method. The per diem method is more applicable to plaintiffs expected to fully recover from their injuries in the near future, awarding compensation based on the number of days it takes them to reach maximum medical improvement from their injuries. For catastrophic injury claims, the plaintiff’s attorney is more likely to use the multiplier method.

As the name implies, the multiplier method entails calculating the plaintiff’s total economic damages and then multiplying them by a factor of one to five based on the severity of the injury. For example, if you are claiming $500,000 in economic damages, your attorney may seek five or more times this amount in pain and suffering compensation to reflect the fact that you were permanently disabled by the defendant’s actions.

Other Variables That May Influence Your Case

The attorneys at Easton & Easton approach every catastrophic injury claim we take with the goal of helping our client maximize their recovery as much as possible under state law. Aside from your economic damages and pain and suffering compensation, you could enhance your recovery further in the form of punitive damages or restitution. These are likely to come into play when a defendant has injured you through illegal misconduct like driving under the influence (DUI) or violent crime.

Conversely, your final case award could be diminished by the shared fault you hold for the incident in question. The state enforces the pure comparative negligence law, and this can come into play whenever multiple parties share liability for the damages involved in a civil suit. If a plaintiff bears fault, the judge handling the case assigns a fault percentage to reflect their level of liability. This percentage is then deducted from their final case award. For example, bearing 10% fault in a million-dollar civil suit would mean losing $100,000 of the total case award.

When you select Easton & Easton to represent your catastrophic injury claim, we can immediately begin handling your case by gathering any evidence you will need to prove liability for the damages you suffered. We can consult expert witnesses if necessary and help draft a compelling initial complaint that encourages the defendant to seek a swift settlement. We can guide you through the settlement negotiation process, but if litigation is required, we are fully prepared to represent you in court.

FAQs

Q: How Long Do I Have to Start a Personal Injury Claim for a Catastrophic Injury?

A: You need to file your personal injury claim within the applicable statute of limitations, which is two years in California. Failure to file your claim within two years of the date your injury occurred could amount to losing your ability to claim compensation from the defendant who caused your injury. It’s advisable to consult an experienced Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure the reliability of witness testimony and the freshness of evidence you will need to prove fault.

Q: Will the Defendant Who Caused My Catastrophic Injury Go to Prison?

A: When a personal injury results from simple negligence, the at-fault party is unlikely to face criminal charges, but they will be responsible for the full scope of damages the defendant caused. When a personal injury results from illegal misconduct like DUI or interpersonal violence, criminal charges are likely for the defendant. Any conviction will entail greater penalties when a defendant has caused serious bodily harm or death to a victim.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Catastrophic Injury in Los Angeles?

A: A catastrophic injury, by definition, entails expansive economic losses for the victim. You have the right to hold the defendant accountable for the full scope of medical treatment you need to reach maximum medical recovery from the injury and manage all your related medical issues in the future. Your Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorney is the optimal asset you have to maximize the compensation you obtain from the defendant.

Q: How Long Will It Take to Finalize My Catastrophic Injury Claim?

A: If the defendant’s liability for your injury is clear and you have a seasoned Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorney representing you, it may not take too long to resolve the case. Private settlement may only require a few weeks of negotiations, but if you need to resolve the case through litigation, it will take much longer. Your attorney can provide an estimate of how long it will take you to receive the compensation you need to recover from your catastrophic injury.

Q: How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Los Angeles Catastrophic Injury Attorney?

A: It is understandable to have concerns about your legal fees when you are already struggling with the effects of a serious injury, but this is no cause for worry when you select Easton & Easton as your legal representatives. We accept personal injury clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only take a fee when we win your case. Additionally, the fee you pay is a percentage of the total amount we recover on your behalf. This eliminates the risk of your legal fees overshadowing your final case award and allows you to approach your case with peace of mind.

The attorneys at Easton & Easton have successfully represented many catastrophic injury claims on behalf of clients in the Los Angeles area, and we are fully prepared to provide the legal counsel you need to recover as much as possible. If you are struggling in the aftermath of a serious injury someone else caused, we can help hold them accountable. Contact Easton & Easton today to schedule your consultation with a Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorney.

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Accredited Business Bbb Rating A+

The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Best Law Firms Orange County 2020

Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.

Reader's Choice 2019 Best Law Firm

Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018.

Top 100 Trial Lawyers

Doug and Brian Easton have been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California each year since 2014 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.

The Best Lawyers in America

Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.

Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California 2016

Brian and Matt Easton were recently honored for their efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client in 2016, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California by TopVerdict.com.

Super Lawyers

Doug and Brian have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Matt Easton has been selected among Super Lawyers' Up-and-Coming Top 25 in Orange County and Top 100 in Southern Califonia, an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys under 40 years old.

10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms in all of Southern California

Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen as one of the "10 Best Personal Injury Law Firms” in all of Southern California" each year Since 2015 based on client satisfaction — one of the highest honors we could ever hope to achieve.

People Love Us On Yelp

Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.

Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for 2015

Doug and Matt Easton have each been featured as Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for California since 2015 — honors given to less than 1% of attorneys.

Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Brian and Matt Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in AmericaTM through the results achieved for their clients. This is an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States.

Top Rated Lawyers AV Preeminent

Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.

10 Best 2015 Client Satisfaction

Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been chosen as one of the "10 Best" Personal Injury Attorneys in Southern California each year since 2015 based on client satisfaction, an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys - and Easton & Easton houses three of them.

American Board of Trial Advocate

Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.

The National Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40

Matt Easton has been selected each year since 2014 as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.

Avvo Rating Top Attorney Personal Injury

Doug and Matt Easton have each been chosen as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers lists attorneys who have earned selection through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.

Nation's Premier Top Ten Attorney Personal Injury

Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.

Nation's Premier Top Ten Attorney Personal Injury

Matt Easton has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys Under 40 in California for 2015 by the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys — an honor given to less than 1% of personal injury attorneys under the age of 40.

Nation's Top One Percent

Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel among the Nation's Top One Percent of Attorneys each year since 2017.

Orange County Personal Injury Lawyer | Costa Mesa Auto Accident Attorney | Catastrophic Injuries

“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”

Partner W. Douglas Easton

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Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…

Sara McClelland
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
Caila Dean

Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…

Lisa Bluemel

The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…

Sofia Sanchez

I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…

Dan Campbell

Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…

Kyle Keith

What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…

Logan Ross

I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!

-Allee

Ashlee A.

Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.

Jeffrey N.

I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!

Mark B.

They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.

Vamsi P.

Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.

They are the BEST!

Jennifer P.

I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.

Claudia C.

I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way

Linda M.

The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!

Ericka P.

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