Not all personal injury lawyers are the same. When most people think of personal injury law in Hawaii, they typically think of injuries caused by slip and falls, car accidents, premises liability and dog bites. Catastrophic injuries occur quickly without warning and often result in permanent physical damage to the victim. Like conventional personal injury cases, they are the result of negligence by others. However, catastrophic personal injury settlements require much higher sums of money not covered by most insurance companies. In many cases, victims must seek government assistance of alternative compensations. That is why it is important to seek legal representation from an experienced and knowledgeable Hawaii personal injury lawyer.

Most personal injury cases involve injuries that are temporary. A broken arm, leg or skin abrasions can heal over time. But when a person suffers serious burns, brain trauma, heart trauma or paralysis, these are injuries that will remain for life. The results can be devastating. It can affect a person’s ability to earn a living and their overall quality of life. When determining a settlement for a personal injury case in Hawaii, the court must consider the following:

- Does the victim require alternative means of compensation?

- Does the victim require protection from discrimination?

- Can the victim live independently?

- Does the victim have the ability to work or earn a living?

- What type of treatment or therapy does the victim require?

Why Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

A person who suffers from a catastrophic injury may require significant life care planning. It is a process of analyzing all the medical services and goods needed for a person to live a functionally for the remainder of their life. Life care planning is determined based on the input of various experts in the fields of case management and rehabilitation. As the patient ages, adjustments will be made to the life care planning process.

An personal injury lawyer can also make a tremendous difference in the outcome of a case. For example, if a motorist is hit by a drunk driver, an inexperienced personal injury lawyer may advise for a settlement that is limited to the liable driver’s insurance benefits. But what if the guilty driver is uninsured? An experienced catastrophic personal injury attorney will go the extra mile to determine where the drunk driver purchased or consumed their alcohol. This allows the victim to expand their case against the restaurant, bar or homeowner that served the drunk driver their alcohol. If the victim’s car has a defect, charges of product liability can be filed.

A professional lawyer can help accident victims recover the compensation they deserve. He utilizes an aggressive and comprehensive approach to protect the rights of each client and to look out for their best interests. What ultimately separates successful personal injury lawyers from the average is their reputation with past clients. Most attorneys are willing to provide references from satisfied clients. However, it is also important to take the initiative to get in touch with past clients on whether they recommend the attorney. Also, you take the time to research online reviews and comments from social media. They can often provide insight into the lawyer you may not get during a consultation.