New Mexico Catastrophic Injury Attorneys

Top-Rated Albuquerque Trial Lawyers for Serious Injury Lawsuits

While all injuries are serious, there are some that can be classified as "catastrophic." These are injuries that do not heal quickly and do not have short-lived consequences. Injuries that are truly catastrophic are those that have a life-altering impact on the victim, requiring ongoing medical support and possibly even impeding their ability to perform normal activities and return to the same quality of life.

Examples of catastrophic injuries include the following:

Acoustic Trauma: Also known as occupational hearing loss, acoustic trauma refers to injuries that affect your ability to hear—often from prolonged exposure to loud noises. This can be broken into two separate forms of acoustic trauma. One form results from sudden exposure to excessively loud noise while the other is prolonged exposure that causes damage over a long period of time.
Amputations: The loss of a limb is one of the severest forms of injuries that can be sustained. In some cases, the amputation will result during the course of the accident itself; in others, amputation will be necessary if the limb suffered severe damage (ex: from being crushed). Either way, limb loss can leave the victim unable to continue in their line of work and require prolonged rehabilitation.
Burns & Scarring: Burns are broken into three separate "degrees" depending on the severity of the burn and the amount of skin affected. While first degree burns can be fairly minor in nature (ex: sunburns), second- and third-degree burns can be extremely painful and result in life-long scarring and disfigurement. Not only is this physically damaging, but it can leave a victim with emotional trauma.
Loss of Vision: One of the most common injuries involves eyesight. In fact, more than 2,000 eye injuries sustained on the job are reported every single day. Vision can be lost from blunt force trauma by a flying object, a fracture, exposure to chemicals, and lasers.
Spinal Cord Injuries: When the vertebrae of the spinal cord are damaged, the results can be completely catastrophic. Spinal cord injuries are classified as either "complete" or "incomplete" depending on how many motor functions that the victim retains. In some cases, depending on where the injury was sustained and how severe the injury, spinal cord injuries may result in paralysis.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): There are two types of head injuries that can lead to TBI: closed and open. Closed head injuries may involve blunt form trauma where open injuries involve a penetrating force. Regardless, TBI can lead to debilitating primary and secondary injuries. Minor forms of TBI may result in increased noise sensitivity where severe TBI may require the need for around the clock care.

New Mexico Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

Caused by motor vehicle accidents, falls, industrial accidents, and other catastrophic incidents, spinal cord injuries are devastating and may be permanent. If the spinal cord is severely damaged, a victim will most likely lose sensation, muscle control, and function below the point of injury. Everything that they have envisioned for their future may be put on hold or might now be impossible.

There is hope for a brighter future. Our New Mexico spinal cord injury lawyers are committed to making this a reality.

Rehabilitation, assistive devices, and in-home modifications and care can help a person with a spinal cord injury lead a productive, independent, and fulfilling life. But all of this can easily cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars over a victim’s life. That is why we so strongly believe in helping spinal cord injury victims and their families recover complete compensation from at-fault parties.

Serving Catastrophically Injured Clients in New Mexico

After a spinal cord injury, you could have grounds for a civil lawsuit against the individual or corporation that caused you harm. Our injury attorneys have one of the most impressive track records in this field, with billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients.

We handle spinal cord injury cases in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and across the U.S. that involve:

For traffic accidents or other instances of negligence, you may have a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. For a work-related spinal cord injury, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party lawsuit. For a defective product, we’d file a product liability lawsuit against a manufacturer or other responsible party. For accidents and injuries on another’s property, a premises liability lawsuit may apply.

There are many legal options available if you or someone you love has suffered a spine injury. We’d be happy to discuss all of these with you, so you can get started on the right path.

What should I do after a spinal cord injury in New Mexico?

If you were injured in any type of accident, you need to make your health a top priority. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, and follow your doctor’s orders. Seek out a specialist if needed. Once you’ve received the medical care you need, contact an attorney. You have specific rights and responsibilities when it comes to filing a spinal cord injury claim, and an experienced attorney can set you on the right track.

If you were injured at work, for example, you have only 15 days to inform your employer or your right to workers’ comp benefits could be jeopardized. If you were injured at work or in any other scenario, it will be important to have your attorney handle all communication with the insurance provider and other parties to ensure you are not wrongly blamed for the accident or pressured into accepting an unfairly low settlement. The right attorney will be there to protect your interests every step of the way. That’s the level of counsel you’ll find at Arnold & Itkin.

What experience do you have with spinal cord injury cases?

Our firm has extensive experience handling spinal cord injury cases for all types of individuals and workers across the country. We secured a $117 million personal injury verdict for a pregnant woman who suffered spinal cord and brain injuries in an accident while she was being transported in an ambulance. We also negotiated a $7.4 million settlement for a contractor who experienced spinal injuries in a plant accident, a $5.3 million settlement for a worker who suffered a spine injury in a workplace explosion, and fought for a $3.2 million recovery for a worker who experienced spinal cord injuries during a plant turnaround. We have numerous million-dollar and multi-million dollar recoveries for spinal cord injury victims—the type of results that ensure their lifelong care.

What does it cost to hire your firm to handle my spinal cord injury claim?

Arnold & Itkin handles spinal cord injury cases in New Mexico and across the U.S. on contingency. This means we only get paid if we secure a settlement or verdict on behalf of our clients. We also forward all expenses related to investigating, preparing, and litigating these cases. If you work with our firm, you do not have to worry about any upfront costs and pay no legal fees at all unless we win. There’s no risk but so much to gain by putting our team in your corner—especially when you consider the level of care and attention we put into every case and client.

New Mexico Burn Injury Attorneys

Chemicals, electricity, heat, fire, and even sun exposure can cause burns that damage the skin and underlying soft tissue. Muscles, nerves, and bone can be affected by severe burns. These catastrophic injuries are painful and often have long roads to recovery, which include expensive medical treatment and plastic surgery.

For burn injury victims and their families, nothing will be the same. That’s why we're committed to helping people across New Mexico and nationwide seek justice after severe burns.

Burn Injury Verdicts & Settlements

At Arnold & Itkin, we hold negligent companies responsible for cutting corners and putting profits first, instead of safety. Our attorneys have fought for and won billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Our record includes numerous multi-million-dollar recoveries for victims of severe burns, including:

A $92.7 million record-setting settlement for a man who was burned in a workplace accident.
An $87 million settlement for a man who suffered life-threatening burn injuries at work.
A $39.7 million record-setting verdict for a plywood plant worker severely burned in a dust fire.
A $12.5 million settlement for a refinery worker who suffered electrical burns and other injuries.

Burn Injuries: Causes & Liability

Burn injuries have many varied causes. They may occur at work, on the road, at construction sites, or even at home. Identifying the cause of your burn injury will help our team identify who is liable (legally responsible) for your medical care, lost wages, and more. When negligence, overlooked safety standards, and defective products cause harm, our New Mexico burn injury attorneys at Arnold & Itkin are prepared to seek justice for the injured.

WHO CAN BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A BURN INJURY IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO?

Any individual or business entity can be held legally responsible for medical bills and other losses and expenses resulting from burn injuries. These cases are handled in civil court, where the burden of proof is on the plaintiff (injured party) to prove that the defendant (at-fault party) caused quantifiable harm. This could be a drunk driver, the manufacturer of a defective product, an employer who overlooks safety standards, or even a person who causes intentional harm. If you suffered any type of burn injury from any cause, there is a path to justice. You can find it with the help of our experienced New Mexico burn injury lawyers.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A WORK-RELATED BURN INJURY?

If you were injured at work, you need to inform your employer within 15 days. Failure to do so could negatively impact your right to workers’ compensation benefits, which are provided to injured workers on a no-fault basis. New Mexico employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, and reporting your injury and seeking medical attention are the first two steps you should take. After that, involve an attorney who can help push your claim through to a successful result. An attorney can even talk to you about your right to additional compensation through a third-party personal injury lawsuit.

WHAT ARE TYPICAL TREATMENTS FOR BURN INJURIES?

First- and second-degree burns typically will heal with no scarring. Treatment will include keeping the area clean and infection-free. With third-degree burns, treatment is far more extensive. These severe burns affect deeper layers of the skin, muscle, nerves, and even bones and organs. Patients with serious burn injuries may require medication, surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and assisted care for life.

The treatment and ongoing care for burn injuries will be expensive. What’s more, a victim of severe burns may be unable to return to work in the same field or may be unable to work at all. The accident itself, plus any resulting scarring and disfigurement, can lead to significant psychological trauma that affects the victim in countless ways. Our Albuquerque burn injury attorneys take all these factors into consideration and relentlessly pursue the compensation our clients need for their treatment, care, and support—for life.

Choose the Right Team for Your New Mexico Burn Injury Case

It should be easy to recover a fair settlement from your insurance company. Your employer should treat you fairly and put your safety first at work. You should receive the complete compensation it takes for you to rebuild after a serious burn injury. Unfortunately, this is not how it works for victims and their families. They need advocates who have the experience and resources to go up against large companies and their teams of attorneys and investigators. At Arnold & Itkin, we level the playing field between the injured and negligent corporations. We are known for our skill in and out of the civil courtroom and our willingness to do whatever it takes to help our clients.

Times are tough, but there is hope. Contact our New Mexico burn injury attorneys to get the answers and support you need.

New Mexico Brain Injury Lawyers

The brain acts as the command center in the body, controlling thoughts, memory, speech, motor skills, and even the function of many organs. It works with the spinal cord to send and receive information and commands throughout the body. If the brain is damaged, its ability to perform these key functions may be compromised. Brain injuries are catastrophic, often affecting every part of a victim's life.

What are some symptoms of brain damage?

When a person suffers head trauma or experiences a brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen or blood to the brain, he or she may exhibit specific symptoms. These may range from mild to severe and can affect memory, consciousness, vision, and more. Blurry vision, confusion, nausea, dizziness, memory loss, ringing in the ears, difficulty speaking, headache, and loss of consciousness are all potential symptoms of a brain injury.

If you or someone you know was injured and is experiencing these symptoms, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible. We also recommend talking to a New Mexico brain injury attorney about your right to compensation for medical care, lost earnings, and emotional trauma.

What causes brain injuries?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2014 alone, there were nearly 2.9 million emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths related to TBI. Falls were the leading cause of TBI-related emergency department visits in 2014, followed by motor vehicle accidents and then injuries caused by being struck by or against an object.

Closed or open head trauma, falls, and auto accidents may all cause traumatic brain injuries that leave victims facing uncertain futures. Serving Albuquerque, New Mexico and the entire country, our team is committed to helping TBI victims look toward more stable futures—where they get the care and support they need.

How can a New Mexico brain injury lawyer help me?

The last thing you want to deal with, when you’re already suffering the consequences of a brain injury, is a lawsuit. But, this may be your only option to recover the type of compensation that will provide for your lifelong care. It may be the only way you can seek justice in a loved one’s name. Whether you’re dealing with an insurance claim after a car accident, a workers’ comp claim after a work-related brain injury, or are considering a personal injury lawsuit after a fall on another’s property, Arnold & Itkin can help. Your case is important. It deserves the time and attention of a proven team of New Mexico brain injury attorneys that can pursue the compensation you need.

New Mexico Amputation Attorneys

Amputation is one of the most traumatic injuries a person can experience. Whether a body part is removed in an accident or is so severely damaged that surgical amputation is required, the effects will be dramatic and lifelong. Returning to work in the same field may be impossible. Walking and performing day-to-day tasks may only be possible with prosthetics, assistive devices, and in-home modifications. Emotional trauma is also likely.

Amputation/Loss of Limb & Your Right to Compensation

About two million people in America are living with a loss of limb, according to the National Limb Loss Information Center. Over 185,000 amputations are performed in the U.S. each year, 82% of which are due to vascular disease.

The primary causes of amputation are:

Disease. Diabetes, blood clots, osteomyelitis, and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) are all medical conditions that may affect the limbs or extremities and require surgical amputation.
Injury. Trauma can cause immediate amputation or may damage a body part so severely that it must be surgically amputated. This most often affects the arms, with three out of four upper extremity amputations resulting from trauma.
Surgery. Tumors in the muscles or bones may need to be surgically removed, and in some cases, this means surgical amputation of the affected limb or extremity.

When amputation is caused by trauma, victims are entitled to financial compensation from the party or parties that caused them harm. Our New Mexico amputation law firm helps our clients get the level of compensation that covers all of their medical care, including ongoing expenses and assistive devices, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and so much more. We know how important this is for their full recovery and stability.

What causes traumatic amputations?

Traumatic amputation and loss of limb may be caused by industrial accidents, construction accidents, defective and dangerous products, severe burns, heavy machinery malfunction, motor vehicle accidents, explosions, and crush injuries. If you were working or were injured in any type of accident in New Mexico and you want to know what rights you have, you can get the answers and insight you need at Arnold & Itkin. Our attorneys have a proven track record of securing considerable settlements and verdicts in these complex cases. If we take on your case, the insurance company will know that we mean business. We won’t stop until we see justice served.

I suffered an amputation on the job. What should I do?

In New Mexico, any companies with three or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This is meant to cover all on-the-job injuries and illnesses on a no-fault basis. Injured workers do not need to prove that someone else was to blame to receive payment for medical care and lost earnings. If someone other than your employer or a co-worker was to blame, however, you could have a third-party personal injury lawsuit. This would entitle you to additional compensation for emotional trauma, full loss of earnings, and more. If you have been injured, contact an attorney as soon as possible. Even if workers’ comp applies, you will benefit from having a legal professional handle your claim (and help you avoid common missteps that could delay or jeopardize your benefits). Your attorney can pursue every possible source of compensation to help you.

What is my New Mexico amputation injury claim worth?

No two injury cases are the same. The value of yours will depend on the impact that your injury has had and will have on every aspect of your life: physically, financially, and emotionally. Our New Mexico amputation lawyers will work with economists, medical professionals, and other experts to determine the fair value of your claim. This can make all the difference after an amputation. We cannot go back and prevent this catastrophe from happening in the first place, but a fair recovery can help you move on with your life.

Contact Our New Mexico Amputation Injury Lawyers

After an amputation, your life will never be the same. However, there is hope when you see justice served. You can experience peace of mind and a sense of closure when you see the responsible party held accountable for your injuries. You can recover the type of settlement or award that helps you build a stable future for yourself and your family, in spite of your injury or any limitations you might be dealing with.

You could be entitled to compensation for:

Hospitalization and emergency medical care
Ongoing treatment, including physical therapy
Medication and other medical supplies
Travel costs to and from medical appointments
Prosthetics and assistive devices
Lost income, including loss of potential earnings
Emotional trauma, such as pain and suffering

Contact Arnold & Itkin for a Free Consultation: (888) 493-1629

At Arnold & Itkin, we’re known for never backing down. We meticulously investigate and prepare each amputation case we handle as though it were going to trial. We take every step it takes to secure the best possible outcome for every client. Why? Because we know we’re dealing with people’s lives, and our New Mexico injury lawyers believe that our clients deserve the chance at the brightest futures.

If you or a loved one has sustained a catastrophic injury that you feel is the fault of a third party, we encourage you to contact our New Mexico serious injury law firm as soon as possible. We have recovered billions of dollars on behalf of our clients, and we are ready to help you.

Do not hesitate to contact us now for a free consultation! Our Albuquerque catastrophic injury attorneys are here to help.

Catastrophic Injuries

WHen People suffer Life-Changing Harm, We Help Them Rebuild