Being injured through no fault of your own is challenging, regardless of how severe your injury or accident was. That said, the kind of injury you sustain has a major impact on how much money you can recover and how a lawyer handles your claim.
Read about severe injury vs. minor injury claims below and see when to reach out to a qualified Massachusetts severe injury attorney after an accident.
The Difference Between Minor and Serious Personal Injury Claims in Massachusetts
Severe injury and minor injury claims have a few key legal differences:
- Severe injury claims involve catastrophic, life-changing injuries
- Minor injury claims are still serious but tend to involve less drastic injuries
- Severe injury claims are higher in value to compensate victims for major expenses
- Severe injury claims can also include pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages
- Minor injury claims are less likely to go to court
- Severe injury claims may need to be litigated to provide the victim with the best outcome
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Minor Injury?
While minor injuries are painful and frustrating, they may or may not require an attorney. This largely depends on your losses and how the injury impacted your life. But a lawyer can usually help, even with a minor injury case. They can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and make sure the other side abides by the law when handling evidence.
A good way to know whether you need an attorney is to consult with one. A qualified Massachusetts personal injury lawyer can go over the details of your case and inform you of your rights and what steps you can take next.
Examples of Minor Injuries
- Bruises
- Strains and sprains
- Whiplash in a car accident
- Mild concussions
Typically, minor injuries fully resolve with basic medical care. This includes injuries that need some physical therapy but are expected to heal with no ongoing problems.
What Counts as a Serious Injury in a Lawsuit?
Serious injuries cause critical harm to the victim and their families. These include things like:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Significant scarring and/or disfiguration
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Loss of limb
- Coma or vegetative state
- Severe burns
Any injury can be considered serious if it requires major medical intervention or results in disability, chronic pain, and other long-term consequences.
Serious Injury Treatment
Treatment for serious injuries can include things like emergency surgery and long hospital stays. Plus, the victim may need ongoing care for the rest of their life to manage issues that were caused by the initial injury.
An example of this might be if a person suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident and is now paralyzed. They may require a wheelchair and help with bathing or going to the bathroom for the rest of their lives.
How Much Is a Serious Injury Case Worth?
How much a serious injury case is worth depends on a number of different factors, such as:
- What kind of medical care your injury required and how long it lasted
- How much time you spent out of work and the total of your lost wages
- How painful your injury was and how it impacted your life
- What kind of medical care you require in the future
- Whether the at-fault party was egregiously negligent
An attorney can help you quantify the potential value of your claim during a consultation. They can also work with financial experts and forensic accountants to determine more detailed information, like how inflation will impact your future lost wages or medical care.
When to Hire a Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer After an Accident
The best time to start working with a Massachusetts personal injury lawyer is as soon as possible after the accident. This allows the attorney to intervene on your behalf to deal with insurance companies and make sure you get the right medical care from doctors who understand the cause of your injury.
Contact Mazow | McCullough, PC today to learn more about severe injury vs. minor injury claims or to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case by calling (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084.
