Syracuse Catastrophic Injury
Lawyer

Have you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury?

A catastrophic injury is one of the most traumatic things that can happen to you or a loved one. It is an injury that results in life-altering conditions, such as severe burns, brain damage, blindness, or paralysis.

Such injuries permanently prevent you from working or enjoying your life. You may not be able to travel, partake in hobbies, or enjoy family time. And the combination of physical and emotional traumas can result in years of anxiety and depression.

Even worse, catastrophic injuries will often affect the victim’s entire family. The inability to work, combined with the possible need for lifelong medical care, makes a catastrophic injury one of the worse things that can happen to you and your family.

Need Immediate Assistance?

Call us at 315.500.5000

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Some injuries change a person’s life in an instant, whether from a car crash on Interstate 81 or a fall on an icy Syracuse sidewalk. Below are some of the most common types of catastrophic injuries:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A traumatic brain injury is one of the most serious and life-altering injuries a person can suffer. It occurs when a sudden impact or jolt to the head disrupts normal brain function, which can happen in car accidents, falls, assaults, or workplace incidents.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis: Spinal cord injuries disrupt communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Depending on the location and severity, individuals may experience partial or complete loss of movement and sensation below the injury site.

Burn Injuries: Burns are among the most painful and physically devastating injuries. A suspected gas explosion recently caused a two-story home on Carbon Street to collapse, leaving 10 people, including children, with serious burns. Third- and fourth-degree burns can damage skin, tissue, nerves, and even bone, and their treatment often involves multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and long-term physical and psychological rehabilitation.

Amputations: Traumatic amputations, or those required after severe injury, permanently impact daily life. Recovery often involves prosthetics, specialized rehabilitation, and home adjustments. Many individuals also experience phantom limb pain, emotional challenges, and long-term employment limitations.

Crush Injuries: These injuries occur when the body is subjected to significant force or pressure, often in construction accidents, vehicle collisions, or industrial incidents. These injuries can cause extensive damage, including muscle breakdown, nerve damage, fractures, and internal organ injury.

Severe Fractures: While not all fractures are catastrophic, injuries involving the skull, spine, pelvis, or multiple broken bones can lead to long-term complications. These may include chronic pain, reduced mobility, and the need for surgical intervention and ongoing treatment.

Internal Organ Damage: Internal injuries can result from blunt force trauma, crush injuries, or penetrating wounds. Organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs are particularly vulnerable. These injuries are especially serious because symptoms are not always immediately visible.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Syracuse

Here are the causes of most catastrophic injuries:

Car Accidents

Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of catastrophic injuries, especially along high-traffic corridors like Salina Street and Erie Boulevard. Distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, and failure to yield are among the most common contributing factors in car accidents.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists have far less physical protection than occupants of enclosed vehicles, and when a collision occurs, the consequences are often severe. A driver who fails to check their mirrors, cuts off a motorcyclist, or opens a car door without looking can cause life-altering injuries in an instant.

Truck Accidents

Fully loaded commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, according to the FMCSA. When a truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the size and weight disparity alone make catastrophic or fatal injury likely.

Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Property owners and managers in Syracuse have a legal duty to maintain safe premises for visitors. When they fail to address hazards such as wet floors, broken stairs, uneven pavement, or inadequate lighting, serious injuries can result.

Construction Accidents

New York’s Labor Law § 240 provides some of the strongest protections for construction workers in the country, including absolute liability for property owners and general contractors in certain gravity-related accidents. Falls from scaffolding, struck-by accidents, equipment failures, and electrocutions are among the most common causes of catastrophic injury on job sites in and around Syracuse.

Industrial Accidents

Factory and warehouse workers face significant daily risks from heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals, and inadequate safety protocols. When employers fail to properly train workers, maintain equipment, or comply with OSHA standards, the consequences can be devastating.

Assault and Negligent Security

Property owners have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect visitors from foreseeable harm. When adequate lighting, functioning security cameras, trained security personnel, or proper access controls are absent, and an assault occurs as a result, the property owner can be held liable alongside the individual who committed the attack. This is known as a negligent security claim.

Medical Malpractice

Healthcare providers are held to a professional standard of care. When a doctor, surgeon, anesthesiologist, or hospital falls below that standard, and a patient is harmed as a result, it constitutes medical malpractice. Surgical errors, delayed or missed diagnoses, incorrect medication, and birth injuries are among the most common forms. The injuries that result from medical negligence can be just as catastrophic and just as permanent as those caused by any other type of accident.

Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists sharing roads with motor vehicles are highly vulnerable. A driver who fails to yield, drifts into a bike lane, or opens a door into a cyclist’s path can cause serious injury with very little warning. Syracuse roads, including Brighton Avenue, see frequent bicycle accidents.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians struck by vehicles have virtually no protection from the force of impact. Car vs, pedestrian accidents frequently result in TBI, internal injuries, multiple fractures, and, in the most serious cases, death.

What to Do After a Catastrophic Injury in Syracuse

The moments and days following a catastrophic injury are overwhelming. Knowing what steps to take can protect both your health and your legal rights.

• Call 911 Immediately: Emergency medical attention is the top priority. After ensuring safety and treatment, obtain an official report from the Syracuse Police Department or Syracuse Fire Department.
• Get to the Nearest Medical Center: Syracuse is served by several major medical facilities equipped to treat serious injuries:
  • Upstate University Hospital
  • Crouse Hospital
  • St. Joseph’s Health Hospital
• Document Everything: As soon as you are able, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage. Preserve any evidence before it disappears.
• Do Not Give Recorded Statements: Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly after an accident. Do not provide a recorded statement or sign anything before speaking with an attorney.
• Contact a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer as Soon as Possible: New York’s statute of limitations gives most personal injury victims three years from the date of injury to file a claim, but evidence can disappear quickly. The sooner you have legal representation, the stronger your case will be.

Long-Term Effects of Catastrophic Injuries

A catastrophic injury does not end when you leave the hospital. For many survivors, the consequences extend for years, decades, or the rest of their lives. Here are some long-term effects:

• Physical Effects: Chronic pain, limited mobility, and ongoing fatigue that often require assistive devices or repeat surgeries.
• Cognitive and Neurological Effects: Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and changes in personality or mood, especially after TBI.
• Psychological Effects: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and grief that often call for long-term mental health support.
• Dependence on Long-Term Care: A continuing need for skilled nursing, in-home aides, or home modifications such as ramps and lifts.

Compensation in Catastrophic Injury Cases

When a catastrophic injury results from negligence, New York law allows victims to recover compensation for both financial and personal losses. A strong claim accounts for the full lifetime cost of care, which can reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

Economic Damages

• Medical treatment and hospitalization
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Medical equipment and home modifications
• Lost wages during recovery
• Long-term care or assisted living costs

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and physical suffering
• Emotional distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD)
• Loss of independence
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of consortium and relationship strain

How Can Catalano Injury Lawyers Help?

A catastrophic injury can upend every aspect of your life in an instant. At Catalano Law, we believe that victims who have been injured by the negligence or wrongful conduct of others deserve justice in the form of financial recovery, and we have the experience to pursue it on your behalf.

We have extensive experience representing clients in all types of personal injury matters throughout Syracuse. We treat every client as we would a member of our own family.

When you bring your case to Catalano Law, we handle every aspect of your claim, including:

• Investigating how the accident occurred and identifying all liable parties
• Working with medical professionals and life care planners to document the full extent of your injuries
• Collaborating with financial experts to calculate current and future losses
• Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
• Taking your case to trial if that is what it takes to help pursue the outcome you deserve

Contact Our Syracuse Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Today

If you or someone you love has suffered a catastrophic injury in Syracuse, do not wait to seek legal help. The sooner you contact our firm, the sooner we can begin building your personal injury case and protecting your rights. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact Catalano Law today for a free consultation. Catalano Wins!