Washington DC Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

At Cohen & Cohen, we help people who have suffered severe, life-changing injuries due to the actions or negligence of others. These injuries often affect every aspect of a person’s life—mobility, independence, employment, and relationships. We understand how overwhelming the recovery process can be, especially when families are suddenly faced with ongoing medical care, loss of income, and difficult long-term decisions. Our goal is to secure the financial support our clients need to adjust and rebuild their lives.

Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Washington DC

Catastrophic injuries are more than just serious—they’re often permanent. These cases may involve paralysis, brain trauma, limb loss, or disfigurement. In many situations, victims require lifelong care, adaptive equipment, or assistance with basic daily tasks. They may be unable to return to their previous line of work or enjoy the same quality of life they had before the injury.

Our Washington DC catastrophic injury lawyer focuses on the full impact of the injury—not just immediate medical bills, but how the injury will affect a person’s future health, income, and personal well-being. Our firm handles cases involving:

• Spinal cord injuries resulting in full or partial paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries affecting memory, mobility, and cognitive ability
• Amputations or loss of use of limbs
• Severe burns requiring multiple surgeries and long-term rehabilitation

Catastrophic injuries can result from motor vehicle crashes, workplace accidents, falls, defective products, or violent incidents. What these cases have in common is the long-term impact they have on a person’s ability to live independently. That’s why our legal approach looks beyond what happened in the moment—we focus on the full picture and what will be needed in the years to come.

We work closely with medical providers, life care planners, and vocational experts to calculate the cost of ongoing treatment, home modifications, assistive devices, and lost future earnings. This detailed approach helps us present a clear claim that reflects both current losses and future needs.

Why Our Firm Is a Trusted Advocate

At Cohen & Cohen, we bring years of experience to serious personal injury claims. We know how to deal with insurance companies that try to minimize payouts and how to uncover the full extent of our clients’ losses. In one case, we secured a high-value settlement for a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a construction site accident. The compensation covered not only immediate medical costs but also lifetime care and lost income potential.

We take a client-first approach, meaning we listen, investigate thoroughly, and build strong claims based on facts. Our legal team is focused on getting real results so our clients and their families can begin to move forward with confidence.

Talk With a Legal Team That’s Ready to Help

If you or a loved one has suffered a life-altering injury and need legal guidance, we’re ready to support you. A Washington DC catastrophic injury lawyer from Cohen & Cohen can review your case and help you understand your legal options. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Types of Catastrophic Injury Cases We Handle

When someone suffers a catastrophic injury, everything about their life changes. These are not minor setbacks—they are events that permanently affect how a person functions, works, and lives. At Cohen & Cohen, we work with individuals and families who are dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial effects of life-altering injuries. Our job is to pursue justice and compensation for the full scope of what was lost, from income to independence.

Injuries Involving the Brain

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most serious cases we handle. A blow to the head in a car crash, fall, or assault can lead to memory loss, personality changes, cognitive difficulties, and impaired speech or movement. In severe cases, the person may be left unable to live independently.

Brain injuries often require:

• Long-term neurological treatment
• Ongoing therapy and rehabilitation
• Adaptive support at home and work

We work with medical professionals and care planners to understand what our clients will need over time and present a clear claim that reflects those needs.

Damage to the Spinal Cord

Spinal cord injuries often result in partial or full paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the damage. These cases affect not just mobility but also internal functions like bowel and bladder control, respiratory health, and chronic pain management.

Many of our clients are dealing with:

• Paraplegia (loss of function in the lower body)
• Quadriplegia (loss of function in all four limbs)
• Spinal fusion surgeries or permanent use of wheelchairs

A spinal injury has ripple effects—on employment, relationships, and quality of life. Our legal team makes sure those consequences are accounted for in every case we pursue.

Loss of Limbs or Use of Limbs

Amputations and injuries that lead to the loss of limb function often require major adjustments. Clients may need prosthetics, multiple surgeries, and a change in employment or daily tasks. These injuries can be caused by vehicle accidents, defective equipment, construction incidents, or severe infections after trauma.

We help clients recover the resources needed for:

• Mobility aids and prosthetics
• Occupational retraining or long-term disability
• Home and vehicle modifications

Our goal is to support both the immediate medical recovery and the long-term lifestyle changes that follow.

Severe Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can result in lasting pain, nerve damage, and visible disfigurement. These injuries often require skin grafts, hospitalization, and extensive rehabilitation. Beyond the physical damage, many clients deal with emotional trauma and social isolation.

We represent burn victims who were injured in:

• Residential or workplace fires
• Electrical or chemical exposure
• Auto accidents involving fire or explosion

These cases often involve detailed investigations into safety procedures, property conditions, or defective products.

Contact a Team That Handles Serious Injury Claims

If you or a loved one is recovering from a life-changing injury, legal guidance can make a difference. A Washington DC catastrophic injury lawyer at Cohen & Cohen can help you understand your rights and pursue the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation—we’re ready to help.

6 Steps Our Lawyer May Recommend After a Serious Injury

A catastrophic injury turns life upside down in an instant. One moment, everything seems normal—the next, you’re dealing with major medical needs, sudden changes to your mobility or memory, and a future that looks very different. At Cohen & Cohen, we’ve worked with clients during some of the hardest moments of their lives. We know what needs to happen early on to protect your health, your legal rights, and your future.

Here are key steps to take immediately after a serious injury.

Seek Immediate and Thorough Medical Attention

The most important priority is your health. Some injuries—like brain trauma or spinal cord damage—may not be fully obvious right away. Even if emergency care is already provided, follow-up evaluations and second opinions can help identify damage early and give doctors a clearer understanding of your long-term needs.

Be sure to:

• Keep all hospital records and treatment summaries
• Request copies of imaging, lab results, and specialist notes
• Ask about long-term care or follow-up referrals

Ongoing medical documentation is often a central part of your legal claim later on, so start tracking everything from day one.

Document the Cause and Scene of the Incident

Whether the injury was caused by a car crash, a fall, an equipment failure, or something else, collect as much detail as possible about how it happened. If you’re unable to do so, a friend or family member can help.

Key documentation may include:

• Photos of the scene, vehicles, equipment, or hazard
• Contact information for witnesses or involved parties
• Incident reports filed by police, EMS, or property owners

The more information you have early on, the easier it is to piece together the full story of what happened—and who may be responsible.

Limit What You Say to Insurance Companies

In the days after a catastrophic injury, you may receive calls from insurance adjusters looking to get your statement. Be cautious. Anything you say can be used to minimize or deny your future claim. You are not required to answer detailed questions before speaking with legal counsel.

Avoid:

• Making recorded statements
• Estimating how you feel or how the injury occurred
• Signing any documents without review

Instead, let them know you plan to speak with our lawyer and would prefer all communication to go through that channel.

Follow All Medical Instructions and Attend Appointments

Keeping up with treatment isn’t just good for your recovery—it also shows that you’re doing your part to improve your condition. Missed appointments or gaps in treatment can be used to argue that your injury wasn’t that serious.

Make sure to:

• Stick to your prescribed plan of care
• Attend therapy, follow-ups, and specialist visits
• Track all costs and any limitations affecting your daily life

This information helps show the full impact of the injury on your health and ability to function.

Inform Your Employer About Your Situation

If you’re employed, notify your employer that you’ve been injured and will be unable to work. Request documentation related to medical leave or disability benefits. In some cases, you may need to apply for short- or long-term disability or workers’ compensation.

Save copies of:

• Pay stubs or income records before the injury
• Any written communication with your workplace
• Documents related to time off or disability claims

Lost wages and reduced earning capacity are often major parts of a legal claim.

Washington Catastrophic Injury Infographic

Washington DC Catastrophic Injury FAQ

A catastrophic injury is life-changing in every sense. These types of injuries often affect mobility, brain function, or the ability to live independently. They don’t just impact the person injured—they change everything for families, careers, and future plans. Whether the result of a crash, fall, work accident, or violent act, the consequences are serious and often permanent. When someone else is responsible for the injury, the legal system may offer a path to compensation. If you’re dealing with the effects of a major injury, knowing your rights can help guide your next steps.

Who can be held responsible for a serious injury?

Legal responsibility depends on how the injury happened and who was involved. If a car accident caused the injury, another driver, employer, or vehicle manufacturer may be at fault. In a workplace incident, third-party contractors or property owners might be liable. Slip-and-fall incidents, unsafe construction sites, or defective products can also lead to liability claims. In every case, we must determine whether someone failed to take reasonable safety measures. Once fault is identified, legal action may help the injured person recover damages tied to the injury’s impact.

What qualifies as a catastrophic injury?

A catastrophic injury is one that permanently affects a person’s ability to function. This could include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, amputations, or loss of sight or hearing. In many cases, these injuries require lifelong medical care, home modifications, and ongoing assistance with daily activities. The physical impact is only part of the picture—these injuries can also affect mental health, relationships, and future employment. Because of the long-term consequences, claims involving catastrophic injuries typically involve substantial damages.

Why pursue legal action in a catastrophic injury case?

These injuries often involve high medical costs, including surgeries, long-term rehabilitation, and assistive devices like wheelchairs or prosthetics. Many people can no longer work or need full-time care. Legal action helps recover costs for current and future care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It also holds the responsible party accountable for the impact of their actions or lack of safety. In some cases, a claim may even prevent future injuries by prompting changes in policies or practices. For those affected, legal support may provide a way to regain financial and personal stability.

How does a legal team support a catastrophic injury claim?

An experienced legal team can investigate the cause of the injury, collect medical records, consult with financial and medical professionals, and calculate both short-term and long-term damages. At Cohen & Cohen, we represent individuals and families dealing with the most serious injuries, including those impacted by a Washington DC catastrophic injury. Our team works to build a strong case while you focus on recovery. From communication with insurance companies to courtroom representation, we’re committed to helping clients pursue compensation that reflects the real cost of what they’ve lost.

Who can file a claim in these types of cases?

The injured individual usually has the right to file the claim. If the person is incapacitated, a legal guardian or family member can take action on their behalf. In cases where the injury results in death, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim. Time limits, known as statutes of limitation, apply to all personal injury cases, so it’s important to begin the process early. Whether the injury happened on the road, at work, or in a public space, the right to file depends on evidence of negligence or wrongdoing.

Contact a Legal Team With Experience in Serious Injury Cases

A catastrophic injury can involve multiple parties, high medical costs, and a lasting impact on your life. Getting legal help early allows your attorney to preserve evidence, speak to witnesses, and start building your case.

A Washington DC catastrophic injury lawyer from Cohen & Cohen can help you understand your legal options and protect your rights from the beginning. Contact us today for a free consultation—we’re ready to help you take the next step forward.