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Fayetteville Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

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Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC

Fayetteville Catastrophic Injury Attorney

A catastrophic injury sustained in an accident can derail your life. If you are in the Fayetteville area and have been catastrophically injured due to the actions of another person, you need an experienced Fayetteville catastrophic injury lawyer on your side.

Experienced Accident Attorneys in Fayetteville

At the Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC, we are deeply committed to and connected with our community. We know that our clients are also our neighbors, and we pride ourselves on serving each of them with the care and attention they deserve. We have two convenient office locations, one in Pine Bluff and one in Little Rock, and we help take cases all over the state of Arkansas. If you are facing a catastrophic injury, we can help guide you every step of the way.

inpg Geoffrey D. Kearney
Fayetteville Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Call Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC today at 870-376-3068 for your Free Consultation!

What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury in Arkansas?

Personal injuries due to the actions or negligence of another person are common. People slip and fall, suffer injuries from faulty products, or experience medical malpractice. Car accidents are another extremely common personal injury context. In Arkansas, over 165 car accidents happen daily. People are injured under all of these circumstances every day, but most of them recover quickly and can move on with their lives.

There is nothing “everyday” about catastrophic injuries. A catastrophic injury is one that prevents you from moving on with your life or returning to the way things were before the accident. In Arkansas, an injury is considered catastrophic if it leaves you with a lifelong disability or requires ongoing medical care.

A catastrophic injury is one that permanently alters the course of your life and your everyday reality. Some examples include the following:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal injuries resulting in loss of function
  • Injuries resulting in amputation
  • Severe burns requiring ongoing care

What Compensation Can I Pursue for a Catastrophic Injury in Arkansas?

The damages from a catastrophic injury are ongoing and severe. Actionable damages include the following:

  • Medical bills, both immediate and ongoing
  • Lost wages from being unable to work
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma

One important note is that compensation for medical bills should fully cover everything a victim needs. When thinking about medical bills after an injury, people think about the things that happen immediately, such as an ambulance ride, emergency surgery, an initial hospital stay, and medications. However, medical bills following an accident can be much more extensive than this.

Especially in cases of catastrophic injury, victims may need multiple surgeries or long hospital stays. It may be necessary to go to an inpatient rehabilitation facility, especially in cases of traumatic brain injury. A victim may also need physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other interventions to maximize recovery and reach a maximum quality of life following their injury.

You can and should pursue compensation for all of these things in the wake of a catastrophic injury. Because the injury is life-altering, you may continue to feel the effects of it for the foreseeable future. Therefore, it is important to pursue the most comprehensive compensation you can to help you recover to the greatest extent possible.

Hire a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Insurance companies do everything they can to avoid losing money, and this includes undercompensating accident victims. Although it is important to file an insurance claim when you are injured, you are unlikely to get a settlement that reflects the severity of the injury and the extent of your losses.

For this reason, you should hire a catastrophic injury lawyer. Your attorney can review your case, put together any documentation you need, and talk to the insurance companies on your behalf. If they offer an unfair settlement, a personal injury lawyer in Fayetteville can help you fight for more. If the case does go to trial, which only happens in 5% of personal injury cases or fewer, your attorney can represent you in the courtroom and help you get the compensation you deserve.

FAQs

What Is the Hardest Injury to Prove?

In any personal injury case, the hardest injuries to prove are the ones that are not visible. Psychological trauma, pain and suffering, and emotional damage can be difficult to prove and quantify. However, that does not make these damages any less real. Your attorney can help you document these injuries and get compensation for them.

How Is Pain and Suffering Calculated in Arkansas?

Pain and suffering are calculated using the multiplier method or the per diem method. In the multiplier method, total financial losses are multiplied by a number chosen based on the overall impact of the injury on the victim’s life. In the per diem method, pain and suffering are calculated based on the victim’s pre-accident daily earning potential. Your attorney can help you choose the right approach.

Can You Sue for Emotional Distress in Arkansas?

Yes, you can seek compensation for emotional distress in Arkansas. If someone intentionally causes you significant emotional distress, you can file a claim for that alone. In cases of personal injury, you can claim emotional distress along with the other damages you have suffered. In Arkansas, you can be compensated for various costs associated with emotional distress, including but not limited to the cost of mental health care.

What Is the Cap on Punitive Damages in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, the cap on punitive damages is $250,000 or three times the amount of compensatory damages, whichever is greater. Unlike compensatory damages, which are intended to help victims recover losses, punitive damages are meant to punish the liable party. Punitive damages are assessed when the negligence was especially egregious or when the liable party acted with intent.

Hire Geoffrey D. Kearney

If you are facing a catastrophic injury, you may feel overwhelmed, stressed, or uncertain about your future. You may be worried about providing for your family or taking care of ongoing medical care. At the Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC, we understand the impact a catastrophic injury can have on your life, but you don’t need to face the unknown alone.

Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward recovery.

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