Washington, DC Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

Get Expert Catastrophic Injury Legal Representation

Regan Zambri Long’s experienced Washington, DC catastrophic injury lawyers have recovered over $1 billion in settlements to date, and offer more than 200 years of combined experience in litigating personal injury cases. Our dedicated DC injury attorneys have the expertise, resources, and unwavering commitment to fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Among many multi-million dollar verdicts won for our clients, our expert attorneys have secured a $20m settlement in a DC Federal Court for an 18-year-old severely injured by a Smithsonian Institution bus, and a $10.6m settlement for a motor vehicle collision resulting in spinal cord injury, paraplegia and traumatic brain injury to one of our clients, settled in 2019 by leading attorneys Patrick Regan and Chris Regan. Our legal specialists understand that devastating injuries don’t just create immediate medical crises; they fundamentally alter lives.

When you partner with our firm, leading litigators will handle every step of your proceedings with meticulous care to provide you with exceptional representation and results. Contact Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation and let us help secure your future.

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What Is a Catastrophic Injury in Washington, DC?

Catastrophic injuries are any severe injury or illness that has profound, long-term effects on an individual. Most injuries of this type often cause severe disruption to the central nervous system, such as a spinal cord or head injury.

The most common types of catastrophic injuries include:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): From moderate to severe, affecting cognitive function, memory, and basic motor skills
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: Resulting in partial or complete paralysis due to spinal cord damage
  • Severe Burns: Causing permanent disfigurement and requiring multiple surgeries
  • Multiple Fractures: Complex breaks requiring extensive reconstruction
  • Loss of Limbs: Amputations due to accidents or medical necessity
  • Organ Damage: Resulting in permanent loss of function

What are the Consequences of Catastrophic Injuries?

The consequences of injuries extend far beyond immediate medical concerns. The physical impact can be devastating, with many victims experiencing permanent disabilities or impairments that fundamentally change their lives. Chronic pain becomes a constant companion, often requiring multiple surgeries and continuous medical treatment throughout their lifetime. Many survivors find themselves dependent on medical devices or assistance for basic daily activities, while ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation become necessary parts of their routine.

 

The emotional and psychological toll of injuries can be equally devastating. Many survivors struggle with depression and anxiety as they cope with their new reality. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common, particularly in cases where the injury resulted from a traumatic accident.

Financial hardship often compounds these physical and emotional challenges. Medical expenses can quickly become overwhelming, with costs mounting for surgeries, treatments, and ongoing care. Many survivors cannot return to work, resulting in lost wages and diminished earning capacity. Additional expenses often include home modifications, professional equipment, and long-term care services. The cost of rehabilitation and continuing medical care can place an enormous burden on families, potentially affecting their financial stability for years to come.

 

If you or a loved one suffered catastrophic injuries, our DC personal injury lawyers can help.

Why Should You Hire a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Washington, DC?

After a severe injury, victims encounter many obstacles. Recovery might be difficult due to medical expenditures and life-changing events. Hiring a catastrophic injury lawyer is one of the most important decisions you can make.

It’s essential to hire a catastrophic injury attorney in DC for the following reasons:

  • Severity of Injuries: Unlike minor injuries, catastrophic injuries have long-term effects. A lawyer with experience in these instances knows the subtleties and complexity. They can effectively calculate damages, ensuring you receive compensation that matches your condition.
  • Comprehensive Medical Knowledge: Catastrophic injury lawyers work with doctors to develop strong cases. They can make a convincing court case because they understand medical terminology, procedures, and long-term care. This medical knowledge guarantees your claim covers future medical needs, rehabilitation expenditures, and consequences.
  • Experience Negotiating Higher Settlements: Insurance companies are notorious for underpaying victims. A skilled catastrophic injury attorney can oppose these firms’ practices. Their experience with similar personal injury claims allows them to negotiate greater settlements, ensuring you receive the money you deserve.
  • Resources and Experts: Building a successful personal injury claim requires a network, especially in catastrophic circumstances. Expert attorneys have connections with accident reconstructionists, vocational specialists, life care planners, and other professionals who can provide crucial insights and testimonies to bolster your case.
  • Understanding Long-Term Effects: Traumatic injuries damage more than simply the body. They can cause psychological trauma, income loss, and lower quality of life. A personal injury lawyer with experience in catastrophic injury claims will include non-economic damages to ensure your claim covers tangible and intangible losses.
  • Managing Complex Legal Procedures: Catastrophic injury claims are complicated. Gathering proof, filing paperwork, and understanding statutes of limitations are all difficult. A skilled Washington, DC personal injury attorney will take you through these difficulties, ensuring no detail is ignored.

 

Beyond the legal implications, a catastrophic injury can be emotionally distressing for victims and their families. Our specialized attorneys at Regan Zambri Long can assist you in handling litigation issues by providing personalized legal and emotional support tailored to address your specific case.

Remember, any personal injury attorney can represent you after a severe injury, but one with catastrophic injury is preferable. Their extensive knowledge and understanding of the long-term effects of such traumas make them ideal advocates. By engaging a catastrophic injury lawyer, you’re hiring an advocate who will fight for justice and the recompense you need for a better future. Call Regan Zambri Long today to begin the process.

What Compensation Is Available After a Catastrophic Injury In DC?

Securing full compensation after an injury requires extensive legal knowledge. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts, failing to account for the actual lifetime costs of injuries. At Regan Zambri Long, we know that proper compensation must address current medical bills and the full scope of your future needs.

Medical Expenses

Medical expenses form the foundation of your compensation claim. These extend far beyond emergency room visits and initial treatments. Your settlement should account for future surgeries, ongoing rehabilitation, medical equipment replacements, and personal care needs. Our attorneys work closely with medical professionals to project these lifetime medical costs accurately, ensuring no future expense is overlooked.

 

A 2024 study from the Centers for Disease Control notes that the average per-person cost of non-fatal injuries treated in emergency departments is $5,800, and that patients requiring inpatient care face an average of $52,250 in initial medical expenses alone.

Lost Income

Lost income represents another essential component of your compensation. Catastrophic injuries often prevent victims from returning to their previous employment, and many face permanent disability. We carefully calculate not just your lost wages but also lost benefits, retirement contributions, and the impact on your earning potential. For younger victims, this can amount to millions in lost earnings over their lifetime.

 

According to the CDC, the average income loss per non-fatally injured person treated in emergency departments is approximately $1,690 per year as of 2024. This figure rises to $7,820 in average lost income for those requiring inpatient care.

Pain and Suffering, Loss of Consortium

Pain and suffering damages address the profound physical and emotional trauma of injuries. While no amount of money can truly compensate for chronic pain, emotional distress, or loss of life enjoyment, these non-economic damages are an essential part of your claim. Our attorneys excel at demonstrating the full impact of your injuries to insurance companies and juries, helping secure compensation that acknowledges your daily struggles.

Among many multi-million dollar verdicts won for our clients, our expert attorneys have secured a $20m settlement in a DC Federal Court for an 18-year-old severely injured by a Smithsonian Institution bus, and a $10.6m settlement for a motor vehicle collision resulting in spinal cord injury, paraplegia and traumatic brain injury to one of our clients, settled in 2019 by leading attorneys Patrick Regan and Chris Regan.

 

Family members may also be entitled to compensation through loss of consortium claims. When injuries affect your ability to provide companionship, support, or care for your family, these relationships suffer. We will use our firm’s full resources and combined expertise to ensure your claim accounts for these profound personal losses and the impact on your family dynamic.

Home Modifications

Many victims require home modifications, customized vehicles, or adaptive equipment to maintain independence. Your compensation should cover these expenses, including future maintenance and replacements. We work with life care planning advisors to determine the full cost of maintaining your quality of life and independence.

At Regan Zambri Long, we understand that maximizing compensation is about securing your future. Our track record includes numerous multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for victims. We fight aggressively against insurance companies and corporate defendants to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Don’t risk undervaluing your claim. Contact Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help secure your financial future.

What Are the Main Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in DC?

Any accident can cause catastrophic injuries. However, some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries include:

  • Motor vehicle accidents. One of the leading causes of catastrophic injuries is auto accidents, including pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents.
  • Slips and fall accidents. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports an estimated 32.3 percent of spinal cord injury cases are a result of a slip and fall.
  • Medical malpractice. Victims of medical negligence at a DC hospital, like George Washington University Hospital, may suffer from catastrophic injuries. Newborns can also suffer catastrophic birth injuries. Recent data from a 2024 study shows that medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the US, with as many as 400,000 patients experiencing medical negligence and preventable harm each year. Common medical errors, such as diagnostic and surgical errors, medication errors, equipment failures, and hospital-acquired infections, can severely compromise patients’ well-being and increase their risk of life-altering complications.
  • Construction accidents. Construction workers can suffer multiple types of catastrophic injuries in a construction accident. For example, falling from heights or being struck by objects can cause spinal cord injuries or TBIs. In other cases, workers can suffer burn injuries due to electrocution.
  • Recreational activity accidents. Recreational activities such as contact sports, riding ATVs, swimming, or lifting weights can cause catastrophic injuries. Many people have suffered spinal cord injuries and paralysis from swimming pool accidents.
  • Defective products. Defective consumer products and medical devices can result in catastrophic injuries. A faulty seatbelt may fail during a car accident, which causes a severe spinal cord injury.
  • Aviation and airplane accidents. When an airplane crashes, surviving victims may be catastrophically injured and permanently disabled.

Sometimes, it is hard to know when a severe injury is catastrophic. An injury lawyer from Regan Zambri Long will meet with you to discuss the facts of your situation and give you the best legal advice according to personal injury law. Call us today to get started.

How Can a Regan Zambri Long Washington, DC Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Help Me?

Our specialist catastrophic injury lawyers at Regan Zambri Long understand the complex, nuanced long-term effects of suffering a life-changing injury. If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury due to the negligence of others, our legal experts can provide you with precision care and representation, underscored by our more than 200 years’ worth of collective expertise. 

 

Our law firm’s resounding success has been recognized by some of the United States’ leading peer-reviewed publications and certification bodies, highlighting our dedication to integrity, justice, and consistent excellence. Many of our partners have been named among the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, with Salvatore Zambri being honored with a Top 10 placement. Our three named partners all hold stringent board certification in Civil Trial Law and Civil Trial Advocacy from the National Board of Trial Advocacy, as well as AV Pre-eminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, the legal industry’s most respected accolade for professional excellence. 

 

Your industry-leading attorney will handle the legal process, proving negligence and liability, and working with professionals to properly value your claim. They will hold the insurance company responsible for providing a fair settlement or else take the liable party to court on your behalf.  You can also recover compensation to help ease the burden caused by medical bills, rehabilitation, home and vehicle modifications, lost income, and pain and suffering.

 

Regan Zambri Long’s DC lawyers help individuals with injuries and their families throughout the DC Metro area. We will review your case and inform you of possible legal options at no cost to you. For a free consultation with one of our attorneys, call (202) 978-4145 or describe your situation by filling out our online case review form

Frequently Asked Questions About Catastrophic Injuries in Washington, DC

What are the long-term effects of a catastrophic injury?

Catastrophic injuries are generally permanent and can severely impact an injury victim’s life. Some effects that an injury victim may have to deal with include:

  • A permanent loss of function, such as partial or full paralysis
  • Losing your job and being unable to find gainful employment
  • Lifelong medical assistance, such as home nursing or medical equipment
  • Permanent scarring or disfigurement
  • Mental or emotional issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Stress-induced health issues and a heightened risk of developing certain chronic diseases

How much could my catastrophic injury cost me over a lifetime?

How much your catastrophic injury could cost you over time will depend significantly on: 

 

  • The nature of your injury
  • The treatment(s) and rehabilitation you require
  • The duration of your treatment period
  • The nature of the long-term effects or disabilities your injury could result in.

According to data cited by the Centers for Disease Control, non-fatally injured people treated in an inpatient care department in the United States after an emergency injury may face average expenses of $52,250, for initial treatment alone. Hidden costs may also arise from the need for long-term care and assistance, home and vehicle modifications, specialized accessibility equipment, physical and vocational rehabilitation, and family impact. 

 

The lifetime costs of a catastrophic injury can be difficult to calculate alone. Working with our industry-leading DC attorneys will ensure that you can determine accurate estimations of these costs, including complex factors such as loss of earning potential and the expenses of your life care needs.

How much is my DC catastrophic injury case worth?

To determine the potential value of your case, we begin with a thorough investigation, as each situation presents its unique circumstances. Our catastrophic injury lawyers will review your evidence and examine the facts during your initial consultation. After understanding the incident and identifying the responsible parties, we can provide an informed assessment of your case’s worth.

It’s important to note that fault and negligence play a large part in your case, especially in the DC Metro area. If you are found partially at fault for the accident—contributorily negligent—you will be denied compensation. A DC catastrophic injury lawyer will protect you from false negligence claims and protect your right to compensation.

What is the DC statute of limitations for catastrophic injuries?

DC’s statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident or your knowledge of the injury. Your legal team will use this time to investigate your case and consult with medical professionals to determine your full recovery. Filing a claim outside this window will result in your case being dismissed.

If you have a DC wrongful death claim caused by a catastrophic injury, the DC statute of limitations is two years.

What is considered a non-catastrophic injury?

A non-catastrophic injury is any trauma that the individual can recover from and not affect their quality of life in the long term, such as a broken leg or a minor abrasion.

What is considered a catastrophic injury?

 A catastrophic injury is typically one that is considered both permanent and severe in nature. If you have suffered a catastrophic injury, you could be prevented from returning to work, managing your responsibilities, or participating in your usual day-to-day activities. Some of the most common catastrophic injuries include traumatic brain injuries, injuries to the spinal cord and central nervous system (CNS), limb amputations, second and third-degree burns, loss of hearing or vision, and resulting mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

Who can be held liable for my DC injury claim?

Any person or organization can be held responsible for a catastrophic injury. In some cases, it may be multiple parties who are responsible. For example, you get into a car accident that causes severe head trauma. You learn that the other party was drinking at a local bar before getting behind the wheel. You may be able to hold the driver responsible for your accident and the bar serving the alcohol. Anyone who was negligent can be held accountable for the damage their action or inaction caused.

How much does a catastrophic injury lawyer cost?

Regan Zambri Long works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything unless we make a recovery in your favor. Once we’ve settled or received a verdict, we take a percentage of the recovery as our legal fees.

 

 This means that when you suffer a catastrophic injury, you will only need to pay for our industry-leading legal services if we secure a favorable verdict and the compensation you deserve.

 

Renowned organizations such as Super Lawyers, Lawdragon, and Best Lawyers consistently recognize our legal team as DC’s best catastrophic injury attorneys. Our firm’s dedicated lawyers have worked to serve the means of justice for more than three decades, offering first-class legal services with no fees attached – unless we win your case.

 

Our attorneys understand that financial compensation alone cannot address all you have suffered during a catastrophic injury or accident. However, the monetary compensation we will work to secure for you will provide a valuable step toward reclaiming your life. 

Call the DC Catastrophic Injury Lawyers at Regan Zambri Long for a free case evaluation. There is no fee unless we win.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

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