A catastrophic injury can change every part of a person's life in an instant. Whether from an auto accident, bicycle crash, or other frightening moment, the consequences often extend far beyond the initial pain and suffering.
As Oregon personal injury lawyers, DeShaw Law knows how a single moment can leave families facing mounting medical bills, ongoing medical treatment, and uncertainty about what comes next. People who have been injured in car accidents and other serious events often need long-term medical care, and the financial weight of that care can feel impossible to bear without the right support.
DeShaw Law works with clients who have suffered everything from traumatic brain injuries to amputations; we have also had the honor of representing families dealing with the heartbreak of wrongful death. Our Oregon personal injury attorneys—under the leadership of Dr. Aaron DeShaw, our firm’s founder and Super Lawyer—understand what it takes to seek full and fair compensation in their catastrophic injury cases.
If you are looking for a personal injury law firm to handle settlement negotiations after a motor vehicle accident, we encourage you to reach out to us. The steps you take in the days and weeks after an Oregon personal injury can shape the financial future of your entire family.
Speak to a Personal Injury Lawyer in Portland: (503) 227-1233
Understanding the True Cost of a Catastrophic Injury
One of the most common mistakes people make in their personal injury cases is underestimating what their injury will actually cost over a lifetime. The statistics are sobering: catastrophic injuries create very large, long‑term economic losses, often reaching millions of dollars over a survivor’s lifetime.
A major analysis of injury costs found that the average cost of traumatic brain injuries and other catastrophic injuries reached over $80,000 in the first year alone. For work injuries, the National Safety Council estimates $1.46 million per death when you include wages, medical costs, and administrative expenses. Catastrophic injuries often substantially exceed these average nonfatal figures.
We’ve broken down a few statistics about the costs of catastrophic injury by injury type, below. (Please note that these are not representative of any single case, and do not guarantee a legal outcome.)
- Spinal Cord Injuries: $140,000–$200,000, not including emergency transport. Living with paraplegia costs about $500,000–$1 million in the first year, plus roughly $70,000 per year thereafter in ongoing care.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Emergency visits for TBI average $18,000–$25,000 just for the emergency department portion. When surgery and intensive care are needed, first‑week costs for a severe TBI typically exceed $100,000. Lifetime care costs for severe TBI routinely exceed $3 million, including rehab, home health, and long‑term support needs.
- Burns: Intensive care stays can cost roughly $6,000 per ICU day for unventilated patients, with typical catastrophic burn cases requiring 30–45 days in ICU ($180,000-$270,000).
- Amputations: Standard initial surgical costs are around $40,000, potentially rising to $70,000 with complications. This does not include prosthetics, revisions, and long‑term rehab. Noneconomic costs associated with pain and suffering, stigma, and emotional distress can easily span into the tens of millions. Read more about our recent, record-setting amputation verdict.
A catastrophic injury is not just an emergency room bill; it’s years of therapy, future surgeries, lost income, home modifications, assistive equipment, and the kind of daily care that can add up to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars over time.
Before you accept any settlement offer, speak with a medical professional—and a catastrophic injury attorney—to get a clear picture of your future. That picture typically includes economic damages such as medical expenses and lost earning capacity, as well as noneconomic damages for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. Your legal team will then work with life care planners, vocational experts, and economists to calculate the full value of your claim.
For a free case evaluation call DeShaw Law: (503) 227-1233
What NOT To Say to Your Insurance Company
After a serious injury, insurance adjusters are usually quick to make contact. They may sound friendly and concerned about your recovery, but their job is to protect their company's bottom line. They are trained to gather statements and details that can later be used to reduce or deny your claim.
In a nutshell, here’s what not to do when speaking with an insurance adjuster: never admit fault, never estimate the cost of care, and never downplay your injuries, even if you’re feeling relatively fine when they call. They can, and will, use this against you. Additionally, following these three small steps can preserve the value of your claim and keep the insurance company from twisting your words against you later.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement before speaking with a lawyer.
- Do not sign medical authorizations that hand the insurance company access to your entire medical history.
- Be careful about discussing the accident on social media, even in passing.
Speak to a catastrophic injury lawyer today about how we can help preserve the value of your claim.
Consistent Medical Treatment Matters
Your health comes first—and, in your legal case, your medical documentation often matters most. Gaps in medical treatment are one of the most common ways insurers argue that an injury was not as serious as the claimant says. Follow every recommendation from your doctors. Attend physical therapy, keep follow-up appointments, and always fill (and take!) your prescriptions.
This is especially important for injuries that develop or worsen over time, such as a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury. Some symptoms do not appear right away, and a consistent medical record gives your attorney the proof needed to connect those symptoms back to the crash that caused them. Speak to one of our Oregon personal injury lawyers to learn more.
Plan for Long-Term Medical Care
For survivors of catastrophic injuries, the need for medical care does not end when the bandages come off. Many of our clients require ongoing rehabilitation, in-home nursing care, durable medical equipment, prescription medications, and periodic surgeries for years to come. Planning for this future is one of the most important parts of protecting your financial security.
A skilled Oregon personal injury lawyer will build your case around the full timeline of your recovery, not just the bills sitting on your kitchen table today. That may include working with medical experts to project future treatment costs and partnering with financial advisors to structure any settlement in a way that supports you for the long term.
It is critical that you work with an experienced attorney who can help you predict—and collect for—the costs of your long-term care. To begin the process, call DeShaw Law: (503) 227-1233.
File Your Lawsuit Within Two (2) Years of the Injury
Oregon has strict deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, you have just two (2) years from the date of the injury to bring a claim. Some situations involve shorter notice requirements; when a government entity is involved, your case must be filed within just a few months.
Let us be clear: waiting too long to file your case can mean losing the right to recover compensation. If a loved one has been killed in a crash, time becomes even more critical. Our Oregon personal injury lawyers can help your family understand the deadlines, gather evidence, and pursue accountability before time runs out.
Work with an Oregon Personal Injury Lawyer With Trial Experience
Insurance companies pay close attention to which law firms are willing to take a case to trial; law firm "settlement mills” that consistently accept less than full value tend to receive lower offers across the board. Firms that are prepared to try a case in front of a jury tend to receive higher settlements.
When choosing an Oregon personal injury lawyer for your catastrophic injury case, ask about their trial record—on catastrophic injury claims specifically. Ask whether they have the resources to take on a complex case against a well-funded defendant. The right firm can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case, and in the financial stability of your family for years to come.
Catastrophic injury? Talk with an Oregon Personal Injury Lawyer Today
DeShaw Law helps injured Oregonians and their families understand their rights, deal with insurance companies, and pursue the compensation they need to rebuild. If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Oregon personal injury lawyer.
Speak to an Oregon Personal Injury Lawyer: (503) 227-1233