A "catastrophic" injury is one that completely devastates, severely narrowing the activities one can do, the enjoyment one can extract from life, and the livelihood one can make. At the same time, the catastrophic injury often requires astronomically high medical and life–care costs. When one has a catastrophic injury, income is down or non–existent. Medical expenses are often over and above all health insurance coverage. Life is usually either extremely confined, painful, depressing or all of these.

The most common types of catastrophic injuries are from spinal cord damage, amputations, brain injuries, and severe burn injuries.

Catastrophic injury cases require more than just legal skills. They require compassion, and passion. They require careful preparation. They require exhaustive research and investigation so as to hold in all possible parties and all possible insurance policies to provide the maximum possible compensation. They require careful recruitment, and use, of expert witnesses who can give compelling but clear testimony regarding the injury and the devastating toll it has taken on the victim's life enjoyment, sex life, family, income and expenses.

Michaels & Smolak has recovered millions of dollars for clients suffering from catastrophic injures such as paralysis, including paraplegia and quadriplegia, brain injuries, burn injuries, amputation and for other injuries. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a catastrophic injury, CONTACT US for a free consultation with an experienced lawyer who can inform you of your legal rights and maximize your compensation.