When an unexpected accident causes life-changing injuries, you need more than just medical care—you need the guidance of a skilled catastrophic injury attorney in Owensboro to secure the best outcome for your personal injury claim.

At Rhoads & Rhoads, our law firm is dedicated to helping injured individuals in Owensboro and across Western Kentucky who have suffered catastrophic injuries due to someone else’s negligence. Our experienced accident attorneys work diligently to help you receive the fair compensation you deserve and rebuild your life after a serious injury.

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in the surrounding area, contact our Owensboro office today for a free case evaluation. Our personal injury lawyers are ready to help you seek justice and financial security.

Why You Need an Owensboro Personal Injury Attorney

The complexities of personal injury cases require a legal team with extensive experience and resources. Catastrophic injuries often result in long-term or permanent consequences, affecting every part of your life, from physical and emotional health to financial stability.

At Rhoads & Rhoads law firm, we offer comprehensive legal services to ensure you receive full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and punitive damages if applicable. Here’s how we help:

Legal Expertise

We specialize in catastrophic injury claims and understand Kentucky’s laws and regulations that apply to these cases. Our legal knowledge allows us to navigate the complexities of your personal injury claim and protect your rights every step of the way.

Thorough Investigation

Our Owensboro personal injury attorneys will conduct a detailed investigation of the accident scene, gather evidence and consult with expert witnesses to determine liability. This includes reviewing medical records, interviewing witnesses and working with accident reconstruction specialists.

Aggressive Negotiation

Insurance companies regularly attempt to minimize payouts in personal injury cases. An attorney has the negotiation skills and experience needed to push back and seek the maximum compensation possible for your lost income, pain and suffering, medical expenses and any other damages.

Trial-Ready Advocacy

Our personal injury lawyers have years of courtroom experience and a proven track record of success in personal injury litigation. If a fair settlement isn’t possible, we are prepared to take your case to trial.

Comprehensive Client Support

We know how stressful and overwhelming this process can be for you and your family. Our team provides compassionate, personalized support throughout the legal process. We’re always available to answer your questions, offer guidance and help you make informed decisions about your case.

At Rhoads & Rhoads, we’re more than just your legal advocates—we’re your partners in recovery. If you’re facing life-altering injuries caused by an accident, a catastrophic injury attorney in Owensboro is here to guide you through the legal process.

When is an Injury Considered Catastrophic?

In Kentucky, a catastrophic injury is any injury with long-term, serious consequences that significantly affect a person’s physical, cognitive or emotional well-being.

Unlike minor injuries, catastrophic injuries often require ongoing medical care and rehabilitation. Catastrophic injuries usually prevent victims from working or living independently, making it crucial to seek appropriate compensation to cover their lifelong needs from an Owensboro personal injury lawyer.

Examples of Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries come in many forms, each with unique challenges and treatment needs.

Below are some of the most common examples:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head, TBIs can negatively impact speech, memory, cognitive function and motor skills. Long-term care is often required for severe TBIs.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Depending on the severity, spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, affecting mobility and organ function.
• Amputations: The loss of a limb can permanently impact a person’s mobility, independence and mental health. Prosthetics may help restore some functionality, but lifelong care is often necessary.
• Severe Burns: Third- and fourth-degree burns from an accident can result in scarring, nerve damage and disfigurement. Recovery is often painful and requires extensive medical treatment.
• Internal Organ Damage: Injuries to internal organs can require multiple surgeries and long recovery periods. In severe cases, organ failure is even possible.
• Paralysis: Paralysis can be partial (affecting certain body parts) or complete, significantly altering the victim’s quality of life and independence.

Every injury is unique, but they all share one thing in common—victims face substantial physical, emotional and financial challenges. We are here to help you navigate those challenges. Call for an initial consultation and speak to an Owensboro personal injury lawyer today.

What Types of Accidents Can Cause a Catastrophic Injury?

Catastrophic injuries can result from a wide range of accidents.

At Rhoads & Rhoads, we represent clients who have suffered severe injuries in incidents such as:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, truck and motorcycle accidents are some of the leading causes of catastrophic injuries.
• Slip-and Fall-Accidents: Falls can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and broken bones, especially among older adults.
• Workplace Accidents: Construction accidents, heavy machinery incidents and exposure to toxic substances can lead to catastrophic injuries.
• Defective Products: Dangerous consumer products and faulty medical devices can cause serious harm.
• Dog Bites: Severe attacks can lead to disfigurement, nerve damage and psychological trauma.

No matter how your injury occurred, even if it’s not immediately apparent, our Owensboro personal injury lawyers will investigate the evidence of your accident case to determine who is responsible and fight for the compensation you’re owed.

What Are the Long-Term Costs of a Catastrophic Injury?

The financial impact of a catastrophic injury can be staggering. Victims often face both economic and non-economic costs that can last a lifetime.

Economic Costs

Economic damages refer to quantifiable financial losses caused by the injury, including:

• Medical Expenses: Hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation and long-term care
• Lost Wages and Earnings Loss: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work, including future earning potential
• Home Modifications: Adjustments such as wheelchair ramps and specialized equipment for mobility
• Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Transportation to medical appointments and other necessary costs

Non-Economic Costs

Non-economic damages compensate for the emotional and psychological toll of a catastrophic injury, including:

• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: The inability to engage in activities or hobbies you once loved
• Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression and PTSD caused by the trauma
• Loss of Consortium: The negative impact on relationships with loved ones

The financial impact of Owensboro and Powell county personal injury cases can be devastating, especially when dealing with car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents or other injuries caused by someone else’s negligence.

Understanding the full scope of your economic and non-economic losses from an accident is critical to seeking fair compensation and rebuilding your life. The attorney team in our Owensboro office ensures that clients throughout Western Kentucky have the support they need to pursue a claim for medical costs, lost income and even wrongful death damages.

What if You are Partly at Fault for Your Catastrophic Injury?

In Kentucky, you can still recover compensation for your injuries even if you are “partially” at fault, thanks to the state’s pure comparative negligence rule. This means that your compensation will be calculated by the percentage of fault assigned to the other driver/party by the court.

Navigating pure comparative negligence laws can be complicated, but our experienced personal injury lawyers will ensure your rights are protected.

What is Pure Comparative Negligence?

The legal principle of pure comparative negligence allows injury victims to recover compensation even if they are partially at fault for the accident. Unlike some states that bar recovery if you are more than 50% responsible, Kentucky law permits you to seek compensation regardless of your percentage of fault. However, your total award will be reduced by the percentage of responsibility assigned to you.

For example, if you are found to be 25% at fault for a car accident and your total damages amount to $100,000, you can still recover 75% of that amount, or $75,000. While this rule ensures that victims are not left without recourse, it also means that the insurance companies will likely try to argue and try to assign as much blame against you as possible to reduce the payout.

The attorneys at Rhoads & Rhoads law firm are well-versed in handling cases involving pure comparative negligence. We will thoroughly investigate your case, challenge unfair fault assessments and fight to maximize your compensation.

How Are Damages Calculated?

Calculating damages in a catastrophic injury case involves evaluating the full extent of your losses, both economic and non-economic. The severity of your injury plays a significant role in determining the total compensation you may receive.

How Severity of Injury Affects Total Damages

More severe injuries, such as brain injuries or paralysis, usually result in higher damages due to the long-term impact they have on your life. This can include the cost of future medical treatments, rehabilitation, and the long-term effects on your ability to work and enjoy life. In personal injury cases, the goal is to secure a settlement that addresses both your current and future needs.

When calculating damages, several factors are considered:

Extent of Medical Treatment: The more extensive the future medical needs and treatment you will require, the higher the compensation for this element of the damages will be.

Impact on Daily Life: If your injury prevents you from performing essential tasks or enjoying life as you once did, this will be reflected in your non-economic damages.

Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injury affects your ability to work, damages will account for lost future earnings.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: Catastrophic injuries, such as car accidents, often lead to conditions such as PTSD, anxiety and depression, which can increase the value of your claim.

Our attorneys work closely with medical experts, economists and certified life care planners to ensure that your compensation reflects the true extent of your losses.

How Long Will My Catastrophic Injury Settlement Take?

The time line for resolving a catastrophic injury case in Kentucky can vary significantly. Cases involving extensive medical treatment, permanent disabilities or multiple liable parties tend to take longer as they require detailed evaluations of future medical needs and financial losses. However, we will prioritize your case and move as quickly as possible to maximize your recovery.

Additionally, if liability is disputed or the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, litigation may become necessary, somewhat extending the time line.

While some cases settle within a few months, others may take a year or more, depending on factors such as:

• Severity of injuries
• Complexity of the case
• Willingness of insurance companies to negotiate
• Need for expert testimony

Throughout the process, our team of personal injury attorneys will ensure that all legal filings, evidence gathering and negotiations are handled efficiently so your case moves forward as quickly as possible without compromising the full value of your claim. While we work diligently for timely resolutions, we never rush settlements at the expense of securing the maximum compensation for you and your family.

Rhoads & Rhoads: Catastrophic Injury Attorney Owensboro

When someone experiences a catastrophic injury, the future can feel uncertain and overwhelming. Medical bills, upfront fees and the emotional toll of adjusting to a new way of life can leave you feeling helpless. You may not know where to turn or how to protect your family’s financial stability.

At Rhoads & Rhoads, we understand the challenges you are facing and are committed to helping you through this difficult time. Our legal team has years of experience handling catastrophic injury cases and knows how to fight for the compensation our clients need to secure your future. Whether your personal injury lawsuit was caused by a car accident, a workplace incident, or any other form of negligence, we will work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Time is critical in these cases. Kentucky has strict statutes of limitations for filing personal injury claims and wrongful death lawsuits, which means that delaying action could impact your ability to recover compensation. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner we can begin building a strong case on your behalf. When you work with Rhoads & Rhoads, you’ll receive compassionate, personalized service backed by a proven track record of success.

Take the first step toward rebuilding your life: Contact our Owensboro, Kentucky, office today to schedule your free consultation and let us help you seek the justice and financial security you deserve. Call 888-709-9329.