Catastrophic Injury Cases Our Law Firm Handles in Rochester
No two catastrophic accidents are alike, but every case carries serious consequences for the victim. Injuries can leave you permanently disabled, unable to work, and facing decades of medical treatment. Navigating the legal system on your own can leave you undercompensated or facing denials from insurance companies that are trained to minimize payouts. Our personal injury attorneys in Rochester handle a broad spectrum of catastrophic accidents, ensuring that your case is positioned to secure the maximum recovery.
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Workplace Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Product liability
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Assaults or violent acts
- Sports or recreational accidents
- Premises liability
- Construction site accidents
- Wrongful death claims
When insurers underestimate your losses or attempt to deny responsibility, you need a legal team that anticipates every challenge. By carefully investigating every accident, consulting with medical and vocational experts, and preparing each case for trial if necessary, we make certain that no aspect of your injuries is overlooked or undervalued. With our guidance, your claim reflects the full impact of your accident and your right to justice.
The Legal Team Rochester Relies On After Serious Injury
When a catastrophic accident changes your life in an instant, the last thing you need is a law firm treating your case like another file on the desk. Catastrophic accident lawyers at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law combine relentless advocacy with creative legal strategies to protect your future. Our goal is simple: make sure your recovery isn’t limited by anyone else’s shortcuts.
Strategic Trial-Ready Planning
From the first meeting, we build every case trial-ready, signaling insurers that low offers will face full litigation while keeping your long-term needs front and center.
Dedicated Guidance Every Step of the Way
A dedicated catastrophic injury attorney in Rochester manages your case from start to finish, keeping you informed and advocating for your full recovery at every stage.
Holistic Legal Advocacy
Our Rochester team handles every aspect of your case in-house, including any Social Security disability claims that may arise, so you won’t need multiple lawyers to manage your recovery.
We Have a No-Fee Guarantee
You never pay us upfront. We only get paid if we win for you, so our success is directly tied to yours.
Free Case Evaluation
Speak with a lawyer at no cost. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you understand the best path forward.
You’re More than a Case
We treat every client like family, taking the time to understand your story and guide you through every step with care and compassion.
The Damages You Can Recover in a Catastrophic Injury Claim
Catastrophic injury victims in Rochester often underestimate the long-term costs of recovery. Quick settlements rarely capture the true scope of ongoing care, lost opportunities, and the emotional toll these injuries bring. Our attorneys focus on uncovering every recoverable element so that you are fully supported now and in the future.
- Medical Costs and Specialized Care: From complex surgeries to adaptive equipment, long-term rehabilitation, and outpatient therapies, we calculate every medical expense with precision.
- Income Loss and Career Disruption: Catastrophic injuries can limit your ability to earn, both now and over your career. We evaluate the full economic impact, including promotions, career shifts, and lost opportunities.
- Assistance for Daily Living: Some injuries require long-term in-home care, home modifications, or mobility solutions. Our team ensures these essential needs are accounted for in your claim.
- Emotional and Psychological Impact: Chronic pain, depression, or anxiety after a life-changing injury can be as debilitating as physical limitations. We factor these realities into your damages to reflect your true experience.
- Social Security Disability Benefits: Injuries that prevent you from returning to work may make you eligible for Social Security disability. Our Rochester attorneys coordinate your legal claim and potential SSD application so your recovery plan is comprehensive.
- Planning for Future Rehabilitation: Lifelong therapy, occupational support, or counseling may be required. We include these costs in your case to prevent future financial strain.
- Holding Negligent Parties Accountable: In cases involving egregious or reckless behavior, we pursue additional compensation to send a message that such conduct carries consequences.
We don’t settle for quick offers that barely cover today’s expenses. Our Rochester catastrophic injury attorneys build cases that anticipate years of medical care, lost income, and lifestyle changes. By collaborating with medical specialists, financial analysts, and rehabilitation experts, we create a claim that captures the full impact of your injury.
How a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Can Protect Your Future
Catastrophic injuries can create complications that most people cannot navigate alone. From coordinating multiple medical providers to understanding complex liability laws, every decision can affect your ability to recover financially and protect your rights. A catastrophic injury attorney provides guidance that goes beyond paperwork, helping you make strategic choices that safeguard your future.
✓ Detailed Liability Analysis: Identify all parties who may bear responsibility, including secondary and indirect contributors, to prevent gaps in compensation.
✓ Thorough Evidence Management: Collect, preserve, and organize accident reports, medical documentation, and expert assessments in a format admissible in court.
✓ Economic Impact Forecasting: Quantify long-term costs, including future medical care, lost earning capacity, assistive devices, and home modifications.
✓ Expert Coordination: Retain and integrate testimony from physicians, rehabilitation specialists, vocational experts, and financial analysts to substantiate damages.
✓ Insurance Strategy Countermeasures: Recognize common insurer tactics such as disputing causation, minimizing medical needs, or exploiting procedural errors, and neutralize them effectively.
✓ Compliance with Legal Protocols: Ensure all filings, deadlines, and statutory requirements are met to avoid dismissal or delays.
✓ Negotiation Leverage: Present a case with irrefutable evidence to compel fair settlement offers without compromising on future needs.
✓ Courtroom Preparedness: Develop litigation strategies, pre-trial motions, and demonstrative evidence to protect your interests if a trial is necessary.
A catastrophic injury lawyer is not just a formality; they are the key to ensuring your case is evaluated fairly. Without expert representation, victims often accept offers that fall far short of what they truly need. Your catastrophic injury attorney in Rochester ensures that your claim is positioned to reflect the severity of your injuries, protect your rights, and secure your financial and personal future.
What Injuries Qualify as Catastrophic in Rochester, NY?
If you’ve suffered a severe injury in Rochester, you may wonder whether it qualifies as “catastrophic” under New York law. In the state, including Rochester, catastrophic injuries are defined not just by the immediate damage, but by the long-term impact on one’s ability to function and work.
In New York, an injury is generally considered catastrophic if it causes:
- Permanent and Substantial Functional Impairment: The injury significantly limits your ability to perform everyday activities or care for yourself.
- Severe Paralysis or Neurological Damage: This includes paraplegia, quadriplegia, or serious brain injuries that cause lasting cognitive or motor impairment.
- Loss of Limb or Loss of Use: Amputations or permanent loss of function in a major body part are recognized as catastrophic.
- Permanent Disfigurement or Severe Burns: Injuries that result in permanent scarring or deformity, especially when they impact physical function or psychological well-being.
New York law also looks at the long-term medical and financial consequences of an injury. This includes the need for ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and the impact on your ability to earn a living.
Because the classification of an injury as catastrophic affects both insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits, having an attorney who understands how New York courts and insurance companies evaluate these cases can make all the difference. A catastrophic injury lawyer at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law can assess your injury, document its severity, and ensure that your case meets the legal criteria for catastrophic damages.
Statute of Limitations for Catastrophic Injury Claims
The statute of limitations for most catastrophic injury claims in New York is three years from the date of the injury. This deadline applies to personal injury cases, including severe accidents and injuries that result in permanent disability. Missing this window can prevent you from filing a lawsuit in Rochester, no matter how serious your injuries are, making timely legal action essential.
Certain exceptions may extend this deadline. For example, if the injury was not immediately apparent, the statute may start from the date it was discovered. Additionally, minors or individuals who are legally incapacitated may have extra time to file once they reach the age of majority or regain capacity. Because catastrophic injury claims are complex and evidence must be preserved promptly, consulting a catastrophic injury attorney as soon as possible is critical to protecting your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read answers to the questions we hear most from clients in Rochester below. If you’re facing a serious or life-changing injury, contact our Rochester catastrophic injury attorneys for a free consultation and let us help you pursue full compensation.
How long does it take to get a settlement for a catastrophic injury in Rochester?
The timeline for a catastrophic injury settlement in Rochester varies depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and whether liability is disputed. On average, these cases can take several months to a few years to resolve. Because catastrophic injuries involve extensive medical documentation and long-term damages, a thorough evaluation is essential before any settlement discussions begin.
Can you sue for pain and suffering in a Rochester catastrophic injury claim?
Yes. In New York, victims of catastrophic injuries can pursue damages for pain and suffering, which cover both the physical pain and emotional trauma caused by the accident. These non-economic damages are often significant in catastrophic injury cases because of the permanent, life-altering effects of the injury. Our catastrophic injury attorneys in Rochester work with medical experts, therapists, and life-care planners to document the full scope of your suffering and ensure it’s reflected in your compensation.
How is liability proved in a catastrophic injury case?
Liability in a catastrophic injury case is established through evidence that shows another party’s negligence or misconduct directly caused your injuries. This may include accident reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, expert testimony, and medical records. Our legal team conducts detailed investigations, works with accident reconstruction specialists, and gathers the documentation necessary to prove fault and strengthen your catastrophic injury claim under New York law.
Who is liable when an accident results in a catastrophic injury?
Liability depends on how the accident occurred. In Rochester, responsible parties may include drivers, employers, property owners, manufacturers, or medical providers, depending on the circumstances. For instance, a negligent driver in a crash, a property owner who failed to maintain safe conditions, or a manufacturer of a defective product could all be held accountable.
What if the catastrophic injury led to a permanent disability?
If your injury caused a permanent disability, your case may qualify for enhanced compensation under New York law. Damages can include lifelong medical care, home modifications, assistive devices, and loss of future earning capacity. We collaborate with vocational and medical experts to calculate the true long-term costs of your disability so your settlement or verdict reflects the full impact on your life and independence.
What is the hardest injury to prove in a claim?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and some internal injuries are often the hardest to prove because their effects aren’t always visible and can take time to develop. Insurance companies frequently challenge the severity or connection of these injuries to the accident. Your Rochester catastrophic injury attorney will work closely with neurologists, radiologists, and other specialists to present clear medical evidence that links your condition directly to the incident.
How much does it cost to hire a catastrophic injury attorney in Rochester?
Our personal injury law firm represents catastrophic injury victims in Rochester on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you. This ensures that anyone facing a life-changing injury has access to experienced legal representation without worrying about out-of-pocket costs.