When you have catastrophic injuries, and the catastrophic medical bills that go along with them, you may want to settle your claim as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it can take time to settle your claim. Often, your attorney will advise waiting until you further recover from your catastrophic injuries before moving forward with your South Carolina catastrophic injury claim.
Severe burns, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injury can all have dramatically different recovery times and prognoses depending on your specific injuries and the medical care you receive.
Likewise, if you suffer a limb amputation as a result of your accident, you may need time to learn whether you will require stump revisions or other procedures related to your loss.
Unexpected infections and complications can cause your medical bills to shoot higher, your recovery time to lengthen, and your eventual capability to look very different.
In many cases, an attorney will advise that you wait until at least six months after your accident before filing your South Carolina catastrophic injury claim, since, at that time, you will have a much better idea of what your medical expenses and eventual prognosis will look like.
Other factors may also contribute to the length of time it takes to settle your claim.
- The amount you ask for. Because you suffered catastrophic injuries in your accident, you may have equally catastrophic medical bills to go along with them. As a result, you may ask for much more in compensation than people who suffered only minor injuries in an accident. Many insurance companies will drag their heels longer on claims with a high financial value, which can extend the time needed to settle your claim.
- How much negotiation do you have to do? Often, you will need to go through multiple rounds of negotiation before you can reach an agreement with the insurance company or liable party after the accident. While you want to maximize the funds you receive as much as possible to make it easier for you to pay your medical bills and rebuild your life after the accident, the insurance company or liable party may want to minimize how much they have to pay out as much as possible. As a result, you may go back and forth for some time before settling. You may also extend the time needed to receive your settlement if you need to go through mediation with a court-appointed mediator or take your claim to court.
Plan for it to take several months to receive the compensation you deserve after your accident. The insurance company may try to wear you down to help decrease its liability as much as possible. Work closely with your attorney to learn more about your legal right to compensation and how to maximize it.