Fort Lee Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Dedicated Catastrophic Injury Attorneys Serving New Jersey

U.S. law defines a catastrophic injury as one that “permanently prevents an individual from performing any gainful work.” Catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, are sudden events that dramatically alter the mental or physical capacity of a person.

Catastrophic injuries can be caused by car accidents, workplace accidents, medical malpractice, or a number of other events. By definition, catastrophic injuries often require long-term medical care, prolonged absence from work (or inability to work altogether), huge medical bills, and serious mental or emotional effects.

Calculating the full cost of a catastrophic injury is a large undertaking, and it often requires the help of many professionals. The skilled attorneys at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi work with doctors, physical therapists, and vocational counselors on a daily basis to help assess our clients’ injuries. Our attorneys have decades’ worth of experience working with insurance companies in personal injury cases, and that expertise will help ensure you receive just compensation for your claim. Our vast resources and experience allow us to focus on you and your needs, giving your claim the best chance of success.

If you have suffered a catastrophic injury because of someone else’s recklessness, carelessness, or misconduct, you could be eligible for compensation. Call (201) 585-9111 or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential consultation with Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

A number of injuries can qualify as catastrophic injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Severe burns
• Spinal cord injuries
• Wrongful death
• Amputations
• Vision loss
• Hearing loss
• Paralysis
• Broken bones

In some cases, the life-changing injury from an accident is not apparent immediately. For example, a traumatic brain injury may take several weeks—or even months—to show its severity after the initial incident.

Catastrophic injuries can come from a wide variety of situations. Car accidents are one of the most significant causes of catastrophic injuries, accounting for approximately 2.36 million injuries and 33,500 fatalities in 2012. Whether caused by a distracted driver, driving under the influence, negligent driving, or defective car parts, a motor vehicle accident can result in a number of catastrophic injuries.

Workplace accidents can also contribute to catastrophic injuries, particularly on construction sites, where the chance of being injured on the job is nearly three times higher than average. More than 800 construction workers were killed on the job in 2013, and construction accidents make up nearly 20 percent of all work-related fatalities. Falls are the No. 1 cause of construction accidents, most of which could be prevented by complying with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s fall protection regulations. The pressure to keep costs low and keep projects on schedule causes supervisors, contractors, and engineers to cut corners and neglect important safety requirements, leading to serious and catastrophic injuries.

If your catastrophic injury was work-related, you are most likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. This no-fault program is designed to compensate injured workers for medical expenses and lost wages, as well as provide death benefits to the workers’ dependents. An experienced personal injury attorney can guide you through the workers’ compensation and ensure you are receiving fair compensation, as well as help you pursue a civil case against a negligent third party.

Client Success Story

Mr. Michael Maggiano is an outstanding attorney who uses his many years of experience and wisdom to put forth a solid representation of his client.  In my particular case, Mr. Maggiano showed compassion, caring, and commitment in order to bring about a successful resolution involving a local municipality.  My case seemed to be unique in that it’s not often that there is a successful pursuit of justice when a municipality is involved.   I was lucky to find Mr. Maggiano through the recommendation of other outstanding attorneys, and he certainly measured up to every expectation.  Mr. Maggiano’s thoroughness and drive to seek a justifiable agreement in my favor cannot be under-stated; he met with me and my husband day or night, weekend or weekday; he always gladly returned calls and emails promptly.   The devotion Mr. Maggiano and his staff displayed to us made us feel that we were his sole priority; simply stated he makes you feel special.   While being reassuring and kind, Mr. Maggiano leaves no stone unturned in his research, preparation, and presentation.  His vast knowledge works to his client’s advantage, and he is revered by fellow attorneys and judges in New Jersey and New York.

In addition, the staff at Maggiano, DiGirolamo, and Lizzi always represented the highest caliber of professionalism.   Office staff, legal assistants, and the firm’s attorneys were always diligent while being respectful, polite, and caring.     It is without hesitation that I give Mr. Maggiano my highest praise and recommendation.

-  BR

Client Success Story

I cannot thank Mr. Michael Maggiano and his staff enough for their handling of my case. My incident happened before the pandemic, but that did not hinder the performance of Michael, his Paralegal, Ms. Linda Reid, and his support staff. Ms. Reid remained in constant communication with me around the clock and she did her due diligence with gathering all evidence for my case. She left no stone unturned by recording every detail of the incident and my medical history. Every detail is important no matter how minuscule it may seem. Linda has the capacity to make you feel comfortable in one of the most uncomfortable moments of your life. Her explanation and assistance with the court proceedings put me at ease. Michael Maggiano and his Paralegal, Linda Reid will fight to win your case and get their clients what they are owed. Highly recommended!

- Lenora Richardson

Client Success Story

I cannot express how grateful and pleased I am to have had Christopher DiGirolamo and his paralegal Christine Carrino represent me in connection with my personal injury action.

What had happened to me was an event that was about to completely change my life.

Initially I was unable to go to the offices of Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi because of my injuries. I had been hit by a motor vehicle while walking in a crosswalk. Christopher came to me. He offered not only expert legal advice but helped significantly with other things like obtaining police reports, how to handle telephone calls, photographing the scene and even advice about warding off “adjusters” who came knocking on my door. Most importantly, Christopher listened. His compassion, knowledge and understanding cannot be overstated.

I, as a lawyer with medical knowledge who needed a lawyer, would consider myself to be somewhat of a challenging client. Christopher took all this in stride and was fearless in offering guidance and advice when I was having difficulty looking at things objectively. Christopher allayed my anxieties and made me feel better each and every time we spoke. He put things in perspective for me while at the same time, not sugar coating the difficult days ahead that were in store for me, both physically and throughout the legal proceedings. Christopher asked me about my preferences and my choices. He was always interested in my ideas and my point of view. Christopher balanced my convictions with his undeniable objectivity and expertise.

Throughout the protracted course of discovery and pre-trial conferences, Christopher went out of his way to communicate with me and keep me informed. When Christopher was in court we engaged in many real time texting sessions. He respected my decisions about strategy and was constant in upholding his integrity. With Christopher’s tenacity and wit, the case was ultimately resolved without trial.

Christopher and the law firm of Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. made every effort to accommodate me in whatever way they could. I offer my thanks and gratitude.

- Karen

What Can You Win in a Catastrophic Injury Claim?

There are two types of compensation in New Jersey personal injury cases: compensatory damages and punitive damages.

The vast majority of personal injury cases deal with compensatory damages. This includes compensation for:

• Medical treatment, including the cost of ambulatory services, hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation. This includes reimbursement for treatment you have already received as well as compensation for future estimated medical costs, which are both significant in the case of a catastrophic injury.
• Income, including lost wages due to the injury and money the victim would have made in the future if not for the accident (i.e. decreased future earning capacity).
• Property damage, including damage to your vehicle, personal items, or clothing due to the accident.
• Pain and suffering, meaning the physical pain and discomfort caused by the accident.
• Emotional distress, which is essentially the mental pain and suffering caused by the accident. Emotional distress can include fear, loss of sleep, and anxiety.
• Loss of enjoyment or consortium, including inability to enjoy day-to-day activities, inability to pursue hobbies, inability to enjoy recreational activities, loss of companionship, and inability to maintain an intimate relationship with your spouse

There is no limit on compensatory damages in New Jersey. Therefore, so long as you can prove the extent of your injuries, you are eligible to recover the full amount.

Punitive damages are awarded only in cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly careless or egregious, or if the defendant caused the accident intentionally. Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant for his or her outrageous conduct and act as a deterrent to similar actions in the future. In the state of New Jersey, punitive damages are limited to $350,000 or five times the amount of compensatory damages (whichever is greater).

Why Hire Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi?

A catastrophic injury is a life-changing event. Holding the guilty party (or parties) accountable requires a great deal of commitment, resources, and experience. Without the help of an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, your outcome is often at the mercy of insurance companies, employers, and opposing attorneys. Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi have a reputation for excellence and persistence in the courts of New York and New Jersey, causing competing lawyers and claims adjusters to take your claim seriously.

It is important to prepare for every case as if it is going to trial; with Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, you can rest assured your case will be trial-ready. Many attorneys claim to be “trial attorneys” but do not have the experience or skills to put that title to use. As certified civil trial attorneys, we are board-certified specialists in trial advocacy. Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a group limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements, and senior partner Michael Maggiano is a past president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of New Jersey. We are proud to have achieved a number of significant verdicts and settlements for our clients—both in and out of court.

Many of your immediate concerns after a catastrophic injury are financial: medical bills, lost wages, and insurance claims to pay for the treatment of your injuries. Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi will discuss the details of your situation with you and explain the full range of options available to you. Successful negotiation with the parties at fault requires commitment, diligence, experience, and tenacity, and we are more than ready to handle your unique case. Call (201) 585-9111 or contact us online to schedule your FREE and confidential consultation. Work with a Korean-American attorney at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C.