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What do comparative fault and the doctrine of proportionate responsibility mean?

Proportionate responsibility means that if the plaintiff is at fault for most damages, they may not recover any damages in their case. If a plaintiff is partially at fault, their damages are reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to them.

Catastrophic injuries are permanent, and survivors may deal with the following for the rest of their lives:

  • A permanent loss of quality function
  • Not able to hold any meaningful work
  • May require special in-home care, living space, or even lifelong assistance to function.
  • May need to remain on medications for the balance of their life span.
  • May need assistive devices, such as prosthetics, wheelchairs, and walkers or canes.
  • May be permanently disfigured.
  • A survivor may never be the same again.

Treatment for catastrophic injuries is varied. However, the course of treatment depends on the nature and severity of your injuries. You may face a variety of interventional treatments, including emergency medical care to stave off the injury worsening, operations, various medications, physical therapy and rehabilitation to help restore or retain mobility, and skin grafts.

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