Sacramento Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
More Than 50 Years Representing Injured & Disabled Workers
Catastrophic injuries can permanently change a person’s health, independence, and ability to work. Emergency treatment may be only the beginning. Rehabilitation, assistive equipment, home modifications, in-home support, and future medical care can create needs that families can’t fully measure in the immediate aftermath.
When another party’s negligence caused your injury, you may have the right to pursue financial compensation. At Smolich and Smolich, our Sacramento catastrophic injury attorneys evaluate the immediate losses and the long-term effects on your family. We provide one-on-one attention, explain the legal options that may apply, and develop the claim around each client’s medical condition, work capacity, and expected care.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured through no fault of your own, call Smolich and Smolich at (916) 571-0400 and request a free consultation today.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries We Handle
These cases can arise from roadway crashes, industrial accidents, construction site incidents, and hazardous property conditions. These incidents can produce life-altering harm that demands long-term coordination of both medical care and legal strategy.
Case types include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Multiple bone fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
The legal significance of a severe injury depends on more than its diagnosis. Its effects on mobility, cognitive function, independence, employment, and the need for continuing care can determine what evidence and future-loss analysis the claim requires. Our catastrophic injury attorneys in Sacramento examine those consequences when documenting the full extent of a client’s losses.
The Long-Term Effects of a Catastrophic Injury
The consequences can touch nearly every part of a person’s life. A complete damages evaluation must look beyond current bills to consider expected treatment, reduced earning capacity, daily limitations, and the injury’s effect on the family.
Potential long-term losses include:
- Medical and functional needs: Chronic pain, limited mobility, rehabilitation, physical or speech therapy, assistive devices, home or vehicle modifications, and in-home care may continue well beyond the initial treatment period.
- Income and future expenses: Time away from work, lost earning potential, medical bills, and reduced future work capacity can affect a family’s finances for years.
- Personal and emotional effects: Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of independence, relationship strain, and social withdrawal can be part of the injury’s impact on daily life.
Our serious injury attorneys evaluate both documented losses and anticipated needs. We work with medical experts and economists to assess the lifetime costs tied to your injury, building a compensation claim that reflects what you’ve actually lost, not just what’s easy to document. Medical opinions can help establish expected care and physical restrictions, while vocational and financial analysis may be relevant to lost earning capacity. The available damages depend on the facts and the legal framework governing the claim.
Personal Injury & Workplace Claims in Sacramento
Our firm was founded in 1969. We practice personal injury, workers’ compensation, and Social Security Disability law, giving us experience with the separate systems that may become relevant when a severe injury affects employment. Not every case involves all three, and we assess the available options based on where the injury happened, who caused it, and how it affects the injured person’s ability to work.
A severe workplace injury may support a workers’ compensation claim while also raising a potential personal injury claim against a negligent third party. These claims follow different legal rules and provide different categories of recovery. Workers’ compensation doesn’t provide pain-and-suffering damages, while a qualifying third-party claim may allow recovery for losses unavailable through the workers’ compensation system.
Our family’s history in Sacramento’s union movement spans more than a century. Our first- and second-generation trial lawyers bring that understanding of working people’s concerns to each case, explain the legal options, and tailor the strategy to the client’s circumstances. A serious injury lawyer from our firm can also identify when disability questions should be evaluated alongside the injury claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do Immediately After a Catastrophic Injury?
Your first priority is medical attention. Once you’re able, document the incident as thoroughly as possible: gather contact information from any witnesses, photograph the scene and your injuries, and keep detailed records of every medical treatment you receive. These materials become important evidence if you pursue a claim. Consulting with our serious injury attorneys as soon as possible can help you understand your legal rights before critical evidence disappears or deadlines approach.
How Long Will My Case Take to Resolve?
There’s no single answer. Case duration depends on the complexity of the facts, the opposing party’s willingness to negotiate, and court scheduling. Some cases settle within a few months. Others require litigation and can take several years. We keep clients informed about where their case stands and what comes next.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in California?
Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years from the date of injury. Different rules and shorter deadlines can apply. A claim involving a government entity generally requires an administrative claim within six months of the injury, and additional deadlines apply after the entity responds or denies the claim. Missing an applicable deadline can bar recovery, regardless of how strong the case is. Contact a catastrophic injury lawyer on our team as soon as possible to determine which deadline applies to your situation.
Get a Clear Evaluation of Your Legal Options
We provide individualized attention while evaluating the personal injury, workers’ compensation, and disability issues that may apply after a serious injury.
Call Smolich and Smolich at (916) 571-0400 or visit our contact page to schedule your free consultation today.