Catastrophic injuries, by definition, create long-lasting harm to a person in addition to the initial pain from the accident. However, some serious accidents may result in an individual becoming incapacitated, which complicates not only their life, but their ability to seek compensation. If you or a loved one suffered incapacitation as a result of a Manchester catastrophic injury, there are numerous ways that an attorney could adjust their practices in order to provide high-quality service during this difficult time.
Defining Catastrophic Injury
Catastrophic injuries often require surgery and might permanently alter someone’s life. These injuries also may result in high medical bills, being unable to work, or being unable to live life like they used to. These types of injuries are different from other categories of personal injury because they often require more attention. There will likely be multiple doctors and experts involved who will examine some long-term means of recovery that are not seen in other accident cases.
One of the factors that helps determine if an injury is deemed catastrophic is if it prevents the individual from maintaining gainful employment. If an injury takes them out of the workforce for months, years, or permanently, then it is considered catastrophic. While this is possible in many cases, the inability to hold a job is much more likely for catastrophic injury patients who became incapacitated.
What is Incapacitation?
Incapacitation is when a person is unable to understand the consequences of their actions or the legal importance of their actions. This can apply to any situation in which an individual is comatose, mentally inhibited, or otherwise unable to communicate their feelings and intentions to others. This includes short-term memory or long-term memory lapses. Some individuals might have mental capacity at specific moments and not during others, or their condition might be temporary and return slowly. However, the most important element from a legal perspective is that an injured party has mental capacity at the time that they enter into an agreement with their attorney.
Reaching Out to an Attorney Following a Catastrophic Injury
If a person is incapacitated and cannot contact an attorney after suffering a catastrophic injury, their family can reach out instead. The lawyer may have to visit a claimant at the hospital to assess whether they have the capacity to make decisions. If they do not, a probate court may need to appoint a guardian to manage their affairs. If a power of attorney was previously established, that document could allow the family to engage in legal services on the patient’s behalf.
How Can an Incapacitated Person Consult with a Lawyer?
If someone has become incapacitated after sustaining a catastrophic injury in Manchester, they can seek a consultation with an attorney in a number of different ways. Most attorneys can take consultations outside of their office if the injured person is incapacitated in such a way that they cannot leave their home or hospital room. Consultations can be done over the phone or web video with the use of electronic documents and signatures. If necessary, discussions can also happen in a hospital, rehab facility, or in a person’s home so that the inability to travel should not inhibit their chance to get legal advice.
Do Not Let Your Incapacitation Inhibit Your Recovery After Suffering a Manchester Catastrophic Injury
When a person sustains an injury so serious that they are not in a position to make or understand their legal choices, their family should not feel that all hope is lost. Experienced lawyers know how to work with incapacitation after a Manchester catastrophic injury and could accommodate any situation. Reach to legal counsel today to learn how you or your loved one could file a claim for damages.
