If you are here, you or someone you care about may have been hurt in a very serious way. You might be in pain. You might be scared. And you are likely unsure what will happen next. This can feel overwhelming. When a catastrophic injury happens, it changes your life. You are not just dealing with physical pain. You are also facing big medical bills, lost work, and worry about the future. You may have trouble sleeping, feel confused, or even feel alone. That is why we want you to know something important. You are not alone. And you do not have to go through this by yourself. We understand how hard this time is, and we are here to help guide you through what comes next.
Understanding What a Catastrophic Injury Means
A catastrophic injury is a very serious injury. It often leads to long-term problems or even permanent damage. These injuries can include brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, loss of limbs, or burns. They can happen in car crashes, on the job, from falls, or other accidents. What makes these injuries different is that they often change how a person lives every day. You might not be able to walk. You might need help to take care of yourself. You might not be able to work anymore. These are not small problems. They affect you and your family in big ways. And that is why how you deal with insurance companies after one of these injuries is so important.
Why Dealing With Insurance Companies Is Difficult
Insurance companies are not always easy to talk to. They may say they are here to help, but they are businesses. That means their goal is often to pay as little money as possible. After a catastrophic injury, they may call you quickly. They may act friendly. But what they really want is to get you to settle fast. They may offer you money, but it is often much less than you need. Once you take that money, you may not be able to ask for more later, even if your medical bills get higher or if you cannot go back to work.
Many people do not realize how tricky this can be. You might feel like the insurance company is doing the right thing. You might think they are being fair. But they often are not telling you everything. They may use your words against you. They may ask for your medical records and try to blame your injury on something from before the accident. They may delay your claim. Or they may say your injury is not as serious as it really is. This is not fair to you, and you deserve better.
Dan Ryan
Attorney
Elizabeth Fitzgerald
Paralegal
Our objectives remain clear in every case we pursue: To give every client, without delay, excuse or equivocation, our full attention, sound advice and forceful representation.
About Our FirmSteps to Take After a Catastrophic Injury in Ohio
If you or a loved one has been badly hurt, the first thing to do is focus on getting medical care. Make sure to follow your doctor’s advice. Keep all records of your treatment. These records help show how serious your injury is. Also, do not talk to the insurance company alone. It may seem okay to explain what happened, but they are trained to get information that can hurt your case. Even small things you say can be used to lower your payment.
It is also important to write down everything. Keep a notebook with the dates of your doctor visits, names of nurses or doctors, what you are feeling, and how the injury is affecting your life. This can help later when you need to show how the injury has changed your day-to-day routine. It may also help to take photos of your injury, your hospital room, or even things you can no longer do because of the accident.
You should also keep track of any money you are losing. This might be because you cannot work or because you need to pay someone to help take care of things at home. You might need to buy special medical supplies or pay for therapy. All of this is important. These costs add up fast, and you should not be the one stuck paying for them.
How Insurance Companies Try to Reduce Your Compensation
Insurance companies often work quickly to protect their money. One of their common tricks is to offer a settlement right away. They hope you will take it before you understand how much your injury will cost in the long run. This early offer may seem like a lot, but it usually does not cover future surgeries, long-term care, or the loss of income you will face over time.
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They may also try to say you were partly at fault for your injury. In Ohio, if they can prove you were more than 50% at fault, they do not have to pay you anything. Even if you were only partly at fault, they can lower the amount they owe. This is why it is so important to have someone on your side who knows how to show the truth.
Another thing they may do is ask you to give a recorded statement. This sounds innocent, but it is not. They use these recordings to look for ways to blame you. They may ask confusing questions or try to get you to agree with something that is not true. If you are hurt and tired, it is very easy to say the wrong thing without meaning to.
What You Deserve After a Catastrophic Injury
When you are badly hurt, you deserve full and fair compensation. That means money not just for your hospital bills, but also for the care you will need in the future. You deserve to be paid for the wages you have lost and the ones you will lose if you cannot go back to work. You should be compensated for the pain you feel, both physical and emotional. And if your family has to change how they live to help take care of you, that matters too.
You also have the right to feel respected. Insurance companies often treat injured people like numbers. But you are not a number. You are a person who is going through something very hard. You deserve someone to stand up for you and speak for you, especially when you are not in a position to fight back.
The Right Time to Get Legal Help
Some people wait too long to get help. They think the insurance company will do the right thing. Or they think they can handle it on their own. But the longer you wait, the harder it can be to get the full amount you deserve. Important evidence can be lost. Witnesses can forget things. And insurance companies may use your delay against you.
The best time to reach out for help is as soon as possible after the injury. That way, someone can start working on your case right away. They can deal with the insurance company for you. They can help protect your rights. And they can make sure you are not being tricked or pressured into taking less than you need.
You Are Not Alone and You Don’t Have to Fight This Battle by Yourself
If you or someone you love has been seriously hurt, this may be one of the hardest times of your life. But you do not have to face it alone. You have the right to ask for help. You have the right to protect yourself and your future. You deserve to have someone by your side who understands the law, who listens to your story, and who will stand up to the insurance companies.
At Ryan Injury Attorneys, we are ready to help you move forward. We know how to deal with insurance companies, and we know how to fight for the people of Ohio. We care about your story, and we will work to get you the result you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help you take the next step.