What is a Catastrophic Injury?

If you’ve been following The Pisanchyn Law Firm lately you’ve probably noticed a large focus on “catastrophic injuries” in many different areas of our outreach. Many people have questioned us on this, the main question being, what is a catastrophic injury?

There are many different definitions and types of catastrophic injuries. In short, a catastrophic injury is an injury that has an immediate and/or long-term impact on a victim’s quality of life. These injuries are extremely painful and affect at least one bodily system, often resulting in permanent disability, life-long medical conditions, and shortened life expectancy.

While all injuries are serious, especially those caused by the negligence of another, catastrophic injuries are classified as the most severe type of injury. They affect not only the victim, but those close to the victim, as the victim will typically need constant care and attention from others for the rest of his or her life.

Catastrophic injuries are caused many different ways, including auto collisions, medical malpractice, work injuries, and even dangerous products or properties. We have made it a priority in our practice to help victims and their families after any injury but we felt it important to reach out to catastrophically injured victims and give them a place to find hope after such a difficult time.

For more information please visit pisanchyn.com. You can also call us anytime for a free consultation at 1-800-444-5309.

There Are Exceptions to Limited Tort, but Don't Rely on These Alone for Protection

5. Along with serious injury, there are other exceptions to limited tort but relying on these exceptions alone to be compensated for your pain and suffering, in most cases, will not help you.

Sometimes even if you have limited tort you can still be considered full tort under the following scenarios:

1. If you have a serious injury.
2. If you were driving or were a passenger in a commercial vehicle.
3. If the person who caused the accident is accepted into the A.R.D. program or convicted of a D.U.I.
4. The person who caused the collision has a license plate from out of state.
5. You were a pedestrian when struck.

The best way to protect yourself in the event of an accident is to have the right amount of insurance coverage. Having an experienced attorney to help you through your claim will also protect you and your loved ones' interests.

The accident attorneys at The Pisanchyn Law Firm are experienced in handling all accident cases including the above mentioned. Please, call us as soon as you are the victim of another driver's negligence for a free consultation so we can help you.

The Truths about Tort Coverage (full and limited)

Here at The Pisanchyn Law Firm we think it's important to educate our friends, families, and clients on our different areas of practice. Each week we compile a list of important facts that most people don't know, and as a result, could harm them or their claim. As the week goes on we share more information on each fact.

1. It’s common for us to ask if you have full tort on your insurance policy and many times people will respond with, “I have full coverage.” Full coverage and full tort are not one in the same.
2. People choose limited tort on their policy because it saves them a little money right now, but if you get in a bad accident it won’t save you anything; in fact you could cost you thousands.
3. Whatever option you choose, full tort or limited tort, could affect your family, too.
4. Insurance companies have strict definitions of what serious injury really is, and even though there is a serious injury exception for limited tort, you still may not get compensation for your pain and suffering.
5. Along with serious injury, there are other exceptions to limited tort but relying on these exceptions alone to be compensated for your pain and suffering, in most cases, will not help you.

Is there a particular practice area you'd like to know more about? Let us know! We are always looking for ways to help our clients, friends, families, and acquaintances and with your feedback we can get you the information you need. Comment on this post, send us a message on Facebook or Twitter, or email us at newsletter@pisanchyn.com with any suggestions or topics you'd like to know more about.

Is Your Monthly Income Protected?

4. If an accident puts you out of work you could lose your monthly income unless you have this optional coverage on your policy.

Wage loss coverage is an option you can put on your insurance policy that will protect you in the event an accident injury prevents you from working. If added onto your policy then your insurance company is required, by law, to pay 80% of your gross income when you cannot return to your job from injuries sustained in the accident.

As we mentioned yesterday, the state minimum coverage doesn't save you anything in the long run and the same is true with wage loss coverage. The least amount of wage loss you can select is 1,000/5,000. This means, for instance, if you are out of work for 5 months, your insurance company will pay up to $1,000 per month for those 5 months. If you are out work for longer than 5 months but only have the minimum selected, you could lose your monthly income until you return to work.

Another way to protect you and your family after an accident is by calling The Pisanchyn Law Firm as soon as you are injured so our experienced injury attorneys can help you receive the full compensation you deserve.

State Minimum Coverage Doesn't Save You in the Long Run

3. Everyone with an insurance policy in Pennsylvania has to have Medical Expense Coverage but having this as is on your policy may not be enough.

What we mean by this is simple; if you have the minimum amount required by law, which is $5,000, but your medical expenses after an accident accumulate to $10,000, your insurance will only pay for $5,000 of it. It's important to think of 'what if' scenarios such as these when selecting your insurance coverage to be sure you and your family are fully protected incase you are ever the victim of a car accident. Click here for more information on Medical Expense Coverage.

Another way to protect you and your family after an accident is by calling The Pisanchyn Law Firm as soon as you are injured so our experienced injury attorneys can help you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Don't Let This Happen to You

2. Insurance companies take advantage of the fact that most people don't know their initial offers after an accident or injury are low, and get away with it.

Insurance companies will offer you the lowest amount possible to settle your claim. They do this because the less money they pay you the more money they make. This fact is one of the standing points in their business models. Read more about this model here.

Don't let the insurance companies trick you into an insufficient settlement. Call The Pisanchyn Law Firm as soon as you are injured so our experienced injury attorneys can help you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Most People Don't Know...

Here at The Pisanchyn Law Firm we think it's important to educate people on our different areas of practice. Each week we compile a list of important facts that most people don't know, and as a result, could harm them or their claim. As the week goes on we share more information on each fact.

1. 16% of adults are forced by insurance companies into financial difficulty after an injury.

2. Insurance companies take advantage of the fact that most people don't know their initial offers after an accident or injury are low, and get away with it.

3. Everyone with an insurance policy in Pennsylvania has to have Medical Expense Coverage having this as is on your policy may not be enough.

4. If an accident puts you out of work you could lose your monthly income unless you have this optional coverage on your policy.

5. If you're worried your insurance premium will be increased after you report a claim, don't be. The insurance company can only increase your rates for one reason.


Is there a particular practice area you'd like to know more about? Let us know! We are always looking for ways to help our clients, friends, families, and acquaintances and with your feedback we can get you the information you need. Comment on this post, send us a message on Facebook or Twitter, or email us at newsletter@pisanchyn.com with any suggestions or topics you'd like to know more about.