New York Catastrophic Injury Lawyers

When life-altering accidents devastate families across New York, the catastrophic injury lawyers at Porter Law Group stand ready to provide exceptional legal representation. Our New York personal injury lawyers specialize in handling the most severe cases—from traumatic brain injuries and amputations to spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis. With offices serving NYC, Buffalo, Albany, and communities throughout the state, our catastrophic injury attorneys bring decades of combined experience to fight for the substantial compensation our clients need for lifelong care.

What Defines a Catastrophic Injury in New York?

Catastrophic injuries are those that permanently change a person’s life. Unlike minor injuries that may heal over time, catastrophic injuries typically result in permanent disability, disfigurement, or chronic pain, often making it impossible for victims to return to their prior quality of life or career.

Under New York law, a catastrophic injury may involve:

• Permanent physical impairment that significantly limits major life activities
• Long-term or lifelong medical care requirements
• Inability to maintain gainful employment in the victim's chosen field
• Substantial changes to daily living and loss of independence

Our New York catastrophic injury lawyers understand that these cases demand a different approach than standard personal injury claims. The stakes are higher, the damages more substantial, and the legal strategies more complex.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries Our New York Attorneys Handle

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Brain injuries may range from mild concussions to severe trauma  causing permanent cognitive, emotional, and physical impairment. Brain injury cases require specialized medical expertise to document both visible and invisible symptoms. 

Our catastrophic injury attorneys work with leading neurologists, neuropsychologists, and life-care planners to establish the full extent of  brain injury-related losses.

Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis

Spinal cord damage often results in paralysis—either paraplegia (affecting the lower body) or quadriplegia (affecting all four limbs). Our New York paralysis lawyers understand the astronomical lifetime costs associated with these injuries, which can exceed $5 million.

We fight for compensation that covers not just immediate medical bills but lifetime care needs, home modifications, specialized equipment, and lost earning capacity.

Amputation Injuries

The loss of a limb creates profound physical and psychological challenges. Our New York amputation lawyers have represented clients who lost limbs due to:

• Construction and industrial accidents
• Motor vehicle crashes
• Medical malpractice
• Defective products
• Dangerous premises conditions

Severe Burn Injuries

Burns often result in disfigurement, disability, and emotional trauma. Our New York burn injury attorneys have successfully represented victims of:

• Fires in apartment buildings caused by code violations
• Industrial and construction explosions
• Chemical burns in industrial settings
• Scalding incidents due to defective products or water heaters
• Electrical burns from unsafe wiring or utility negligence

Beyond physical recovery, burn victims often face costly reconstructive surgeries and psychological counseling. Our catastrophic injury lawyers work to ensure these long-term needs are fully addressed in any settlement.

Construction Fires & Explosions

New York's dense urban environment and constant construction create heightened risks for catastrophic fires and explosions. Our construction accident attorneys have represented workers and bystanders injured in:

• Natural gas explosions
• Chemical fires
• Electrical fires
• Compressed gas accidents
• Demolition explosions

Our New York catastrophic injury attorneys investigate multi-party liability and aggressively pursue claims against contractors, owners, and manufacturers.

Chemical Exposures

Toxic exposure can cause immediate injury or develop into life-threatening illnesses years later, permanent injury, or wrongful death. Our New York chemical exposure attorneys handle cases involving:

• Industrial chemical spills
• Toxic mold in housing and workplaces
• Asbestos exposure
• Lead paint poisoning
• Carbon monoxide incidents

Severe Fractures & Orthopedic Injuries

While many fractures heal completely, catastrophic breaks can lead to permanent disability, particularly when they involve:

• Compound fractures requiring surgical intervention
• Pelvic fractures affecting mobility
• Spinal fractures risking neurological damage
• Multiple fractures requiring extensive rehabilitation
• Joint fractures leading to chronic arthritis

Our New York personal injury lawyers understand the difference between routine fractures and those with lifelong implications, ensuring our clients receive appropriate compensation for truly catastrophic orthopedic injuries.

Dog Bites & Animal Attacks

Severe animal attacks can cause disfiguring injuries, nerve damage, and psychological trauma. New York follows a "mixed" liability rule for dog bites, with strict liability for medical costs but negligence standards for other damages. 

Our catastrophic injury lawyers work with plastic surgeons and psychological experts to document both the physical and emotional impact of these traumatic events.

Medication Errors and Overdoses

Prescription errors, pharmacy mistakes, and improper medication administration can lead to permanent organ damage, neurological impairment, or death. Our New York medical malpractice attorneys handle catastrophic injury cases stemming from:

• Incorrect dosages of prescriptions
• Dangerous drug interactions
• Anesthesia errors
• Failure to monitor patients
• Administration of wrong medications

These cases require deep medical knowledge and expert testimony, which our catastrophic injury lawyers provide through relationships with leading medical specialists.

New York Wrongful Death Attorneys: Justice & Maximum Compensation

When negligence claims the life of a loved one, the New York wrongful death attorneys at Porter Law Group step in to secure justice and financial protection for surviving family members. New York's wrongful death statutes allow specific family members to pursue compensation for economic losses,  although emotional suffering damages are limited under current law.

Our wrongful death lawyers help families navigate this difficult process while pursuing maximum compensation through all available legal channels. We understand no amount of money can replace your loved one—but fair compensation can provide critical stability during an already devastating time.

Wrongful Death vs. Criminal Cases: Understanding the Difference

Our New York wrongful death attorneys can pursue civil justice even if criminal charges are never filed or if a criminal trial ends in acquittal.

The civil burden of proof—”preponderance of evidence”—is lower than the criminal standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt”, offering a critical path to compensation for grieving families.

How Wrongful Death Compensation is Calculated in New York

New York's approach to wrongful death damages focuses primarily on economic losses rather than emotional suffering. Our wrongful death lawyers work to maximize recoveries that may include:

• Loss of income and financial support
• Loss of inheritance
• Medical expenses related to the final injury or illness
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of parental guidance for surviving children
• The deceased's conscious pain and suffering prior to death

Our catastrophic injury attorneys work with economic experts, actuaries, and other specialists to fully document these damages and present compelling, evidence-backed cases for maximum compensation.

Wrongful Death vs. Survival Action in NY: What's the Difference?

New York law allows families to pursue both wrongful death claims and survival actions:

• Wrongful death claims seek compensation for the family’s financial losses.
• Survival actions pursue damages the deceased could have recovered had they survived, particularly for pre-death pain and suffering.

Our New York wrongful death attorneys strategically structure claims to pursue both avenues of recovery, maximizing the total compensation available to our clients.

How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in NY?

In New York, wrongful death claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of death. This is shorter than the three-year period for personal injury cases, making prompt action essential.

Special considerations apply when the case involves:

• Claims against government entities (Notice of Claim required within 90 days)
• Medical malpractice (different deadlines and procedural requirements)

Our wrongful death attorneys act immediately to preserve your right to compensation and avoid missing critical deadlines.

Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

When pursuing a wrongful death claim in New York, families should avoid common pitfalls that can undermine their case, including:

• Discussing the case on social media
• Providing recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal counsel
• Accepting early, lowball settlement offers without full case valuation
• Missing crucial notice and filing deadlines
• Failing to identify all potentially liable parties
• Overlooking available insurance policies that may provide additional coverage

At Porter Law Group, our New York wrongful death attorneys provide comprehensive guidance to protect families from these mistakes while building the strongest possible case for compensation.

Why Choose Porter Law Group for Your Catastrophic Injury Case?

The lawyers at the Porter Law Group have decades of experience representing individuals and families whose lives have been devastated by catastrophic injuries. We have obtained some of the largest settlements and verdicts in courts throughout the State of New York. We are a state-wide firm that handles cases with a hometown feel.

Our clients come to us looking for guidance and answers. With seasoned trial lawyers, the Porter Law Group has the resources necessary to help you navigate the most complex cases, against goliath insurance companies that will stop at nothing to prevent you from receiving the compensation you deserve.  

You only get one chance to choose the best lawyer for you and your family.  Hire the lawyers most recommended by former clients and local attorneys, and the firm that delivers superior results. 

When you or a loved one’s life has been devastated by a serious personal injury in New York, don’t hire a lawyer without calling the Porter Law Group to learn why so many of our clients are thankful they trusted us with their case in their time of need.     

The Catastrophic Injury Claim Process in New York

Initial Investigation and Case Building

Our New York catastrophic injury attorneys begin by conducting a thorough investigation of the accident, securing critical evidence, and identifying all potentially liable parties. For catastrophic injuries, we frequently engage accident reconstruction experts, engineers, and industry specialists to establish clear liability.

Comprehensive Medical Documentation

Detailed medical documentation forms the backbone of your claim for lifetime damages. We work closely with your treating physicians and independent medical experts to fully document the extent of your injuries, your long-term prognosis, and future care needs and rehabilitation costs. This often includes securing testimony from:

• Neurologists and neurosurgeons
• Orthopedic specialists
• Plastic and reconstructive surgeons
• Life care planners
• Vocational rehabilitation experts
• Economic loss specialists

Aggressive Negotiation with Insurers

Our New York catastrophic injury lawyers prepare each case as if it will go to trial, creating leverage for substantial settlement offers. Insurance companies know our reputation for thorough preparation, relentless advocacy, and courtroom success—often leading to significantly higher settlement offers.

Litigation When Necessary

If fair settlement cannot be reached, our catastrophic injury attorneys are fully prepared to take your case to trial. We manage every aspect of litigation, including discovery and depositions, expert witness preparation and testimony, and strategic courtroom presentation designed to connect with New York juries

FAQs About Catastrophic Injury Claims in New York

What is the Statute of Limitations for Catastrophic Injury Claims in New York?

Most personal injury claims in New York must be filed within three years of the accident date. However, medical malpractice claims have a 2.5-year limit, and claims against government entities require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Our catastrophic injury attorneys carefully review your case to ensure every applicable deadline is met.

How Much is My Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?

The value of a catastrophic injury case depends on several critical factors, including:

• The nature and extent of permanent disabilities
• Projected lifetime medical and care needs
• Lost income and reduced earning potential
• Age and pre-injury earnings or career trajectory
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• Impact on quality of life
• Available insurance coverage

Our New York personal injury lawyers provide honest, realistic case valuations based on experience with similar cases and current legal precedents.

How Long Will My Catastrophic Injury Case Take?

While some cases settle within months, catastrophic injury claims often take one to three years to resolve properly. This timeline allows for:

• Complete medical assessment once conditions stabilize
• Thorough documentation of long-term care needs
• Proper valuation of lifetime damages
• Strategic negotiation with insurance companies
• Litigation when necessary to secure fair compensation

At the Porter Law Group, our catastrophic injury lawyers work efficiently while ensuring no aspect of your case is rushed or compromised. View the results we've achieved for previous clients to learn more about how we can help.

Contact Our New York Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else's negligence, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Porter Law Group are ready to help. We provide compassionate support during this challenging time while aggressively pursuing the substantial compensation you need for lifetime care and security.

Our New York catastrophic injury lawyers serve clients throughout the state, including NYC, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and Long Island. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries take on victims and their families, and we're committed to easing that burden through skilled legal representation.

Contact Porter Law Group today at 833-PORTER9, or email info@porterlawteam.com for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced catastrophic injury attorney. Remember that time limits apply to filing claims in New York, so don't delay in protecting your legal rights.