What is a serious personal injury? 

A serious personal injury, also referred to as a catastrophic injury, is any injury that results in death, long-term disability, or permanent impairment of an important physical, mental, or psychological function. A serious personal injury may negatively impact an individual’s daily functioning, employment and income potential, as well as their enjoyment of social activities and overall quality of life. Serious personal injuries usually require extended hospitalization or rehabilitation and ongoing medical care and treatment.

What causes serious personal injuries? 

Catastrophic or serious personal injuries usually occur as a result of an accident caused by the negligence of another person or entity, such as in circumstances involving a car accident, a slip and fall, or a workplace accident. They can also occur due to medical malpractice or a defective product. In some cases, a catastrophic injury can occur due to a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or a tornado.

What are some types of serious personal injuries? 

Serious personal injuries are any type of injury that results in a long-term or permanent disability. This includes physical, emotional, and psychological injuries. Some of the most common types of serious personal injuries include:

My serious personal injury prevents me from working. How can I afford legal fees? 

The lawyers at Cuming & Gillespie LLP take on serious personal injury claims on a contingency basis. Therefore, clients are not required to pay any out-of-pocket expenses. Our legal fees are calculated based on a percentage of the final compensation we recover on your behalf. This means that you will not receive any bills for legal fees or disbursements while we manage your claim. All legal fees and disbursements are collected by the firm after your file has been settled.

You will not owe us anything if we do not recover compensation on your behalf.  

What compensation am I entitled to for a serious personal injury? 

There are several types of damages (compensation awards) that may be available in personal injury cases, depending on the circumstances. These can include:

  • General (non-pecuniary) damages, which are intended to compensate plaintiffs for the pain and suffering, inconvenience, or reduced quality of life caused by the injury;
  • Economic or special (pecuniary) damages, which reimburse the injured party for the out-of-pocket expenses incurred (or that are likely to be incurred in the future) as a result of the injury, including lost income, medical and rehabilitation expenses, and housekeeping costs;
  • Punitive and aggravated damages, which are intended to punish the defendant whose conduct caused the injury. These damages are less commonly awarded by courts than compensatory (general and economic/special) damages.

A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer will review the circumstances of your case and can provide a thorough assessment of the type and range of damages you may expect to recover.