Dealing with a car accident in Ohio and the subsequent aftermath can be incredibly draining not only emotionally, but financially as well – particularly when long-term injuries are involved.
Obtaining the right legal help is critical in such situations. Our Ohio car accident attorneys at Cooper Elliott have the experience to handle the most complex car accident cases involving long-term injuries.
Establishing the Severity of Long-Term Injuries in Ohio
Long-term injuries, also sometimes referred to as catastrophic injuries, are those that persist for extended periods, or have life-changing consequences for the victim.
Some examples of catastrophic, long-term injuries include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, loss of a limb, and severe burns. Not only can injuries like these have a devastating impact on the victim’s life in general, but they can also lead to ongoing medical expenses, lost wages or the inability to work, and emotional distress.
The most effective way to ensure any resolution accurately reflects and accounts for the victim’s long-term needs is to establish the severity of the injuries with medical records, expert testimony, and more.
Calculating Economic Damages after an Ohio Car Accident
Economic damages are one form of recovery in a personal injury case, and they represent actual, tangible, financial losses that were incurred due to the accident. Common economic damages include:
- Medical Expenses: Both current and potential future medical expenses should be taken into account. This includes things like surgeries, rehab, therapy, medications, office visits, and medical equipment or assistive devices to help with recovery.
- Lost Wages: Many long-term injuries will change the way an employee can work, or whether they can hold a job at all. Calculating lost wages will require factoring in the victim’s pay, benefits, and potential for future advancement.
- Household Services: In some cases, the victim will require help with tasks or activities of daily life, like cooking, cleaning, or caring for their children. The potential cost of hiring help to accomplish these tasks should be included.
Calculating Non-Economic Damages in an Ohio Car Accident Case
The other type of damages that can result are those that are more intangible, such as:
- Pain & Suffering: This is the physical and emotional distress experienced by the victim as a result of their long-term injuries.
- Loss of Consortium: Spouses or children may be entitled to compensation if the injuries have a negative effect on their marriage or spousal relationship.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Some injuries may prevent the victim from ever partaking in activities they once enjoyed.
The Role of a Life Care Plan
A life care plan is a document created by medical, rehab, and legal professionals that outlines the care and subsequent expenses that someone with long-term injuries may face for the remainder of their life.
In the context of an Ohio car accident, your life care plan will help establish the full context of the victim’s potential future medical and care needs. Your attorney should have extensive experience working with life care planners to ensure all potential future care is covered.
Contact Cooper Elliott to Get Started on Your Case Today
Navigating the legal process for a car accident settlement for long-term injuries in Ohio can be a difficult and overwhelming task. By partnering with an experienced law office like Cooper Elliott, you will be able to fully leverage our knowledge, experience, and drive for getting our clients the life plan they need for a comfortable recovery. Get started today.
