Tennessee Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

crash accident scene

Catastrophic injuries bring profound and lasting effects on the victims and their families. No one can anticipate these life-altering events, but compassionate and professional legal help is available to help victims pursue the resources they need to move forward.

At The Terry Law Firm, we have proudly upheld a family tradition of legal services since 1960. We are a client-centered catastrophic injury law firm dedicated to helping individuals injured by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing.

If you’re facing the shock and pain of a catastrophic injury or trying to support a loved one who has, contact The Terry Law Firm. We have the experience you need and the commitment to justice you deserve.

Reach out today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Tennessee catastrophic injury attorney from our firm. We can meet you at your home or the hospital if traveling is difficult for you.

What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?

Injuries that reach catastrophic proportions have an extensive impact on a victim’s life, often requiring ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and substantial lifestyle adjustments. The effect of these injuries extends to loved ones who might be financially responsible or become caregivers, not to mention the emotional trauma everyone in the family experiences.

Severe personal injuries encompass many conditions, including examples of catastrophic injuries such as:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — Caused by a bump, blow,  or penetrating object (such as a bullet), TBIs are a leading contributor of death and disability for over 200,000 people each year, with 190 fatalities daily.
  • Spinal cord injuries — Spinal cord injuries are a leading cause of permanent disability from paralysis, robbing many patients of their mobility and independence.
  • Amputations — Catastrophic injuries like crushed limbs can require amputation.
  • Burns — Extensive and severe burns cause intense pain and put the victim at risk for deadly infections. Such burns may require skin grafting surgery, leaving the injured person with lifelong scars, disfigurement, and psychological trauma.
  • Organ damage — Catastrophic injuries that puncture or tear vital organs, such as the heart, liver, or lungs, can be fatal.

Types of Tennessee Catastrophic Injury Cases We Handle

Our Tennessee catastrophic injury law firm has the skill and resources to represent victims in different circumstances, such as:

  • Car accidents – Significant injuries from the force of impact in a severe car crash can change a life instantly.
  • Truck accidents – Accidents involving large commercial trucks pose a heightened risk of catastrophic injuries due to their size and weight compared to passenger cars.
  • Motorcycle and bicycle accidents – Motorcycle riders and bicyclists, without the enclosed protection of cars and trucks, are vulnerable in crashes and have a higher likelihood of catastrophic injuries.
  • Pedestrian accidents – People on foot who are involved in traffic crashes are more likely to suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries.
  • Slip-and-fall accidents – These incidents can lead to broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and other conditions requiring prolonged medical care.
  • Premises liability – Accidents on another person’s property due to hazards the property owner should have repaired or warned about can result in catastrophic ongoing medical conditions.
  • Medical malpractice – Botched surgeries, missed diagnoses, and other medical negligence can leave victims with significant and sometimes fatal injuries.
  • Defective products – Products with design or manufacturing defects can cause harm to individuals who use them as intended.
  • Workplace and industrial accidents – Accidents that occur in work settings, including construction sites and industrial environments, have the potential to result in deadly or catastrophic injuries.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Tennessee

Several factors contribute to catastrophic injuries in Tennessee. When you face a lengthy recovery and a mountain of bills, you need our Tennessee catastrophic injury attorneys who are familiar with many types of accidents, including:

  • Negligent drivers — There are many causes of traffic accidents, and negligence is the leading factor. Reckless driving, driving under the influence, distracted driving, and running red lights are leading examples of how a negligent driver can cause catastrophic injuries.
  • Unsafe workplace conditions — Your workplace should be safe and free from hazards, yet too many Tennessee workers suffer catastrophic injuries when working in dangerous conditions. Whether it happens due to a lack of required safety equipment, inadequate training, or some other cause, doing your job should not lead to injury.
  • Irresponsible manufacturers — Defective products, harmful medications, and dangerous medical implants harm thousands of people each year, causing irreversible damage and loss of life.
  • Negligent medical care — Doctors, nurses, and the facilities they work for must uphold accepted standards of care. When they deviate from these standards, the result can be catastrophic injury or illness.
  • Careless property owners — Negligent property owners can be liable for injuries caused by slippery floors, falling objects, lax security, and other hazards.

How Much Is My Tennessee Catastrophic Injury Claim Worth?

The financial burden from a catastrophic injury could bankrupt the average person. When someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing caused the injury, they and their insurance company should pay the bills. Our Tennessee catastrophic injury lawyers are ready to demand maximum compensation for victims and their families – compensation that might include:

  • Current and future medical bills for extensive medical care
  • Rehabilitation
  • Future expenses for care needs
  • Lost wages
  • Lost future earnings
  • Emotional pain and suffering and other non-economic damages
  • Loss of companionship, protection, guidance, or support
  • Diminished enjoyment and quality of life

Our experienced attorneys can determine the total value of your claim by consulting with your healthcare providers and qualified financial experts. We can assess your losses to date and project how much the cost of your required future care and other expenses might be. You should not suffer financially for another person’s negligence.

Why You Can Trust The Terry Law Firm for Your Catastrophic Injury Case

The Terry Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our injured clients in our 60 years of legal practice. We are a small-town firm with big-city know-how that gets results. Our catastrophic injury lawyers understand the importance of recovering compensation and giving clients the satisfaction of holding the liable party accountable.

Here is a glimpse into our proven results:

  • $23.96 million to employees suffering hearing loss from unsafe working conditions
  • $950,000 for wrecker accident victims
  • $207,000 for premises liability
  • $237,500 for negligent hospital care leading to bedsores

Talk to an Experienced Tennessee Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today

Navigating the complexities of a catastrophic injury case requires experience and dedication. For over six decades, The Terry Law Firm has given catastrophic injury victims and their families exceptional client service and a commitment to obtaining fair compensation through personal injury claims.

When someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing leads to life-changing injuries, it is time to contact our award-winning Tennessee law firm. We have the professional and legal resources to get to work for you right away.

Contact The Terry Law Firm now for a free consultation that is entirely confidential and comes without any further obligations on your part.

Personal Injury

What is the Statute of Limitations in Tennessee for Personal Injury Claims?

Tennessee is very unique in that the statute of limitations in Tennessee is much shorter than in other states. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Tennessee is generally one (1) year. There are exceptions to the one (1) year statute of limitations. 

In Tennessee, one exception to the statute of limitations is the discovery rule. The statute of limitations in Tennessee does not start to run until a person knows or should have known about an injury. 

There is currently a provision in the Tennessee Code regarding extending the statute of limitations where persons have criminal charges brought against them and they caused or contributed to an injury. In these cases, it is possible that the statute of limitations may be extended to two (2) years. At this stage, there has been no ruling from the Tennessee Supreme Court on exactly how this statute should be interpreted; therefore, we recommend filing cases within one (1) year.

The statute of limitations in property damage cases in Tennessee is three (3) years and the statute of limitations for a breach of contract in Tennessee is six (6) years. It is important to note that breach of implied warranty of merchantability, which are theories that are often used in product liability cases, carries a six (6) statute of limitations.

What is a Contingency Fee?

At The Terry Law Firm, clients are welcome to come to our Morristown office, our Sevierville office, or our Greeneville office for a free consultation. This is true for virtually any type of case. 

In personal injury cases, in particular, The Terry Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis which means that The Terry Law Firm does not receive any compensation, nor are you required to pay anything, unless we are successful on your behalf. 

Our general fee in personal injury cases (like most firms) is one-third (1/3). The Terry Law Firm advances all costs and expenses in the case until the matter is resolved. If we are not successful for a client in a personal injury case, then they are not required to pay anything. 

Can The Terry Law Firm Help If I Was in an Accident in Another State?

The Terry Law Firm regularly handles cases for clients who have been involved in out-of-state accidents. We have handled cases as far west as West Texas and South Dakota. We have had cases in eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. It is a regular part of The Terry Law Firm’s business to handle cases outside of Tennessee.

Handling a case outside of Tennessee does not cost the client any more than it would if we were handling a case in Tennessee. In fact, the client will likely notice very little difference in a case handled outside of the state versus one handled in the State of Tennessee.