When someone suffers from a serious injury, his or her entire family is affected. Long-term medical care and chronic pain, as well as depression and a loss of quality of life, also impact the victim and their family.
Catastrophic injuries often result from severe accidents. A leading cause of catastrophic injuries is motor vehicle accidents, including car accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents. Serious car accident injuries are often due to reckless driving or negligence. These incidents can lead to life-altering injuries.
Other causes can include workplace accidents, particularly in high-risk industries such as construction or manufacturing, where heavy machinery and hazardous conditions can lead to serious accidents. Falls, particularly from heights, can also result in life-changing injuries, especially among the elderly or in environments with inadequate safety measures.
Each state is responsible for setting time limits for how long victims have to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person who caused them harm. The Pennsylvania statute of limitations is two years. This means that an injury victim generally has a two-year window with which to file a lawsuit against an alleged negligent party, or they will lose the ability to recover any compensation for their losses. There are some exceptions to this statute of limitations. Our personal injury lawyers can speak to you about the details of your case.
The damages to compensate for catastrophic injuries can, therefore, be quite a bit higher than for other types of personal injury. The higher a potential damage claim, the more scrutiny that will be given to the proof supporting it.
Losses need to be identified and valued, and the evidence to support them must be detailed and specific. Understanding the impact of a catastrophic injury can be medically complicated and requires the assistance of experts to determine the full extent of the damage.
At SMT Legal, our legal team will give your case the personal attention you deserve to hold the at-fault party or parties accountable. Our accident lawyers are skilled in fighting for the compensation that may be available, including:
How quickly a catastrophic injury claim is paid depends on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of the injuries. It can also depend on the sources of compensation available and the willingness of the parties to reach an agreement.
Resolving catastrophic injury claims can take longer than other personal injury cases due to the time necessary to fully understand the extent of severe injuries and the impact they will have on a person’s life and family members. However, settling a claim and avoiding a lengthy trial can help injured claimants get compensated more quickly.
Catastrophic injuries may not be survivable. If a person dies from their injuries, Pennsylvania law gives the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased the right to recover compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one.
If the decedent survived the injury for a time before dying, the personal representative of the decedent may have the right to bring a survival action. Between wrongful death and survival actions, there can be only one total recovery, so a wrongful death claim will be consolidated with a survival claim if both causes of action arise.
Contact our personal injury law firm today to schedule a free consultation. At SMT Legal, we take the attorney-client relationship seriously. Open communication is essential to building a strong working relationship with our clients. We can provide you with the legal advice you need during this difficult time. Our personal injury attorneys handle all serious injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t get paid unless you get paid. Contact us today and schedule your free case review.
When abuse occurs within a trusted group or setting, such as a school, church, medical facility, or youth organization, the resulting harm often extends beyond the actions of any individual
One key element of a motorcycle accident claim is identifying how the crash happened and who caused it. Otherwise, you can’t connect your injuries to the responsible party’s careless actions,
When lawyers talk about “damages” in a car accident claim, they’re referring to the compensation you can receive for your losses from the crash. Many injured drivers accept less than
Pennsylvania law allows families to file wrongful death claims when their loved ones die as a result of other parties’ negligence or misconduct. These claims aim to recover compensation for
Most states use either fault-based or no-fault insurance systems for car accident cases. But Pennsylvania has a unique “choice” no-fault system. In this system, your medical benefits coverage will cover
Did you recently lose someone close to you in a preventable accident? If so, you might have heard terms like “negligence” or “wrongful death” and felt unsure about what they
Using Uber or Lyft in Pittsburgh has become a regular part of life. Whether you’re heading to work, meeting friends in Lawrenceville, or trying to avoid downtown parking, these rideshare
When a motor vehicle accident involves two vehicles, figuring out who caused what can feel like a puzzle with missing pieces. However, if you’ve been hurt in a multi-car crash
Starting June 5, 2025, it is illegal to hold your phone while driving in Pennsylvania. Under the new Senate Bill 37, also known as Paul Miller’s Law, you must use
If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Pennsylvania, a recent court decision could have a big impact on what happens next. On May 30, 2025, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Pools can be a great way to cool off during hot Pittsburgh summers, but they also pose serious risks, especially for children. Drowning is one of the leading causes of
Slip and fall accidents are surprisingly common in stores, sidewalks, and offices. In Pennsylvania, property owners must keep their spaces reasonably safe. If they don’t and someone gets hurt, the
Dog owners in Pennsylvania are responsible for the victim’s medical expenses if their dog bites someone. If you or someone you love suffered injuries in an animal attack, a dog
Fires, natural disasters, and other incidents can cause commercial property loss, leading to significant expenses. Fortunately, many businesses are covered by commercial property insurance. However, getting a fair settlement from
Property owners in Pennsylvania bear a significant responsibility to maintain safe environments for visitors. When someone gets hurt due to unsafe conditions on another person’s property, the law provides pathways
Pennsylvania treats driving under the influence (DUI) offenses with increasing severity based on two key factors: your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level and your prior offense history. Understanding these penalties
Defective products can cause devastating injuries that can alter your life forever. When a product fails due to poor design, manufacturing errors, or inadequate warnings, Pennsylvania law provides strong protections
Pennsylvania has strict drug possession laws. Whether it’s a small amount of marijuana or a controlled substance like heroin or prescription opioids, the consequences can range from fines and probation
Comparative fault allows courts to assign blame to multiple parties in a personal injury case. If someone suffers an injury, they might share some responsibility for what happened. Instead of
Five attorneys at SMT Legal won Super Lawyers or Rising Star honors for 2025 in the areas of personal injury law and criminal defense. Attorneys Jonathan Stewart, Patrick Murray, and Christopher
Distracted driving is so dangerous that Pennsylvania has recently banned using interactive mobile devices (IMDs) while driving. However, distractions come in many forms. Whether talking or texting on the phone,
We place significant trust in our medical doctors. When a healthcare provider makes a mistake, however, it can seriously harm the patient. In Pennsylvania, patients harmed by a provider’s negligence
Before considering a lawsuit against your insurance company, it’s essential to review and understand your policy. This document outlines your rights and your insurer’s obligations. Familiarize yourself with the coverage
How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Challenge Evidence in Pennsylvania? Evidence can support or weaken the prosecution’s case in a criminal trial. Prosecutors might use physical evidence, witness testimony, or
Pennsylvania’s DUI laws impose strict penalties based on a driver’s prior offenses and the circumstances of the arrest. Second-time DUIs result in higher fines, longer jail time, and extended license
In Pennsylvania, wrongful death settlements aim to provide financial support for families who have lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence or misconduct. Calculating these settlements involves considering
Following an accident, it’s common to consider the potential financial recovery you can achieve by filing a personal injury claim against the party at fault for your injuries. Although there
When someone loses their life because of another person’s carelessness or wrongdoing, the surviving family members might be able to file a wrongful death claim. It is essential to understand
The necessity defense is an argument a defendant and their defense lawyer might invoke if they acted to prevent a greater harm. This defense strategy acknowledges that, while the person
Driving under the influence (DUI) is serious, but certain factors in Pennsylvania can lead to even more severe penalties. Knowing what can elevate a DUI charge is essential for understanding
If you have been charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) for the first time in Pennsylvania, one of your biggest concerns is probably whether you’ll lose your driver’s license.
A felony can significantly impact your life. From a lengthy prison sentence to losing the ability to vote or carry a gun, a felony carries many consequences. Your ability to
With school shootings committed by students becoming an all-too-common occurrence in the U.S., recent incidents have highlighted the potential for parental liability for the injuries and deaths caused by their
After suffering injuries in an accident, you may be facing unexpected bills and other expenses related to your injuries. You may wonder how you will cover these costs if you
If a police officer stops you on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in Pennsylvania, you may be arrested if they have probable cause you were intoxicated. A DUI
It’s common to hear talk of suing to recover personal injury compensation after an accident. In reality, most cases close through negotiation and settlement rather than through a court verdict.
Someone else’s choices led to your injuries, but you are not without power in this situation. As the victim of an injury accident, you choose how to respond to your
Jonathan Stewart at SMT Legal has successfully secured a $2,000,000 settlement for the family of a road worker tragically killed by a tractor-trailer.
Public Drunkenness and Travel Sports Team Parents If you’re a travel sports parent, you’re well aware of how hectic an out-of-town sporting event can be. After all the chaos of
No two Pennsylvania criminal cases are alike, and neither are the ways such cases are defended. Defense attorneys have quite a bit of latitude when it comes to defending their
A yellow light is an indicator of a change in traffic flow. Intersection accidents are common in Pittsburgh. However, running a yellow light does not always indicate actions of negligence.
Employees spend many waking hours providing a service for a business or industry, expecting that their safety is an employer’s priority. However, far too many workers are at risk of
Gun laws may arguably be among the most important for keeping members of our community safe. Many of us know that gun laws can vary from state to state. Of
In the last ten years, the Pennsylvania General Assembly has made several changes to the car seat laws in the Commonwealth, bringing the requirements more in line with the recommendations
If you’re filing a personal injury lawsuit, it’s typically because you have suffered an injury and believe it to be due to someone else’s negligence. However, this would suggest we
Whether for commuting to work, exploring scenic trails, or simply enjoying the outdoors, riding a bicycle offers a sense of freedom and mobility. Just like driving a car, cycling comes
Being hurt in a work-related injury means you could lose income while you recover. However, Pennsylvania allows various ways for employees to seek benefits and compensation to help them pay
Data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in recent years sheds light on the leading causes of car accidents. Through an earlier survey the National Motor Vehicle
We work for income and, hopefully, health insurance. We do our best to stay healthy and in good “working condition” so we can support ourselves and our households by earning
