A severe injury can arrive without warning and reshape your whole world in seconds. Suddenly, there are hospital visits, hard questions, and bills that keep climbing, all while you are simply trying to heal. At Christensen Law, our Michigan catastrophic injury lawyers step in to carry that weight, protecting your rights and fighting for everything you and your family are owed.
You do not have to sort through any of this on your own. From our offices in Detroit, Southfield, Ann Arbor, Troy, and Grand Rapids, we have stood beside seriously injured people across the state and helped them find their way forward. Reach out at 248-600-4591 whenever you are ready, and we will give you honest answers in a free consultation, with no cost and no pressure.
CHRISTENSEN LAW HAS A 24 HOUR RAPID RESPONSE SERVICE
What Counts as a Catastrophic Injury in Michigan?
A catastrophic injury is a severe injury that causes long-term or permanent harm and often keeps a person from returning to the life they knew before. These injuries usually require extended medical care, ongoing therapy, and major changes to daily life. They affect not only the injured person, but their entire family.
Some injuries are so serious that doctors expect their effects to last a lifetime. The following are among the most common types of catastrophic injuries we handle:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Damage to the brain that can affect memory, speech, movement, and personality. You can learn more about the lasting effects of these injuries from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Spinal cord injuries: Harm to the spinal cord that can cause partial or full paralysis and change how a person moves for the rest of their life.
- Severe burn injuries: Deep burns that often require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and long stretches of painful recovery.
- Electrocution injuries: Injuries from contact with electrical current that can damage the skin, nerves, muscles, and internal organs.
Each of these injuries is different, and so is each person who suffers one. No matter which type of injury you are dealing with, we take the time to understand how it has changed your daily life, so we can build a case that reflects your real needs.
Types of Accidents That Lead to Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries can happen in almost any kind of serious accident, but some carry a much higher risk than others. Truck accidents are among the most dangerous, because a fully loaded semi can weigh many times more than a passenger car. On busy Michigan roads like I-75, I-94, and the Lodge Freeway, a single crash can leave people with life-altering harm.
Car accidents and motorcycle accidents also account for a large share of the cases we handle. Riders have very little protection in a collision, so even a brief moment of careless driving can lead to a brain injury, a spinal cord injury, or worse. We also help people who were hit by a vehicle while walking or biking, along with families who have lost a loved one in a fatal crash.
Serious harm can also follow drunk or distracted driving, rideshare and bus crashes, and incidents on poorly secured or unsafe property. In each of these situations, more than one party may share responsibility, and finding everyone who contributed is often key to a fair result. We dig into those details so the full story comes to light.
No two accidents are exactly alike, and the cause of a crash often shapes the entire case. That is why we look closely at how your injury happened, so nothing important gets missed.
Why Catastrophic Injury Cases Demand Extra Care
A catastrophic injury case is not the same as a minor fender bender, and it should never be treated that way. The losses reach far into the future, so the value of a claim depends on getting that long-term picture right. A misstep early on can follow a family for years.
Insurance coverage adds another layer of difficulty. Michigan’s no-fault system pays certain benefits for medical care and lost wages under MCL 500.3107, but those benefits do not always cover everything a seriously injured person needs. When coverage runs out or a claim is denied, having a lawyer who understands these rules can make a real difference.
These cases also tend to draw heavy resistance from insurers, because the dollar amounts at stake are high. We are ready for that resistance, and we build each case carefully so it can stand up to close review. The stronger the case, the better your footing when it comes time to talk about a fair outcome.
How Our Michigan Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Can Help You
When the stakes are this high, you need a legal team that treats your case with the seriousness it deserves. Our Michigan catastrophic injury lawyers handle every part of your claim, so you can focus on healing. We take on the insurance companies, the paperwork, and the costs, and you pay nothing unless we win.
We begin by investigating exactly what happened. Our team works to gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and review records while the details are still fresh. In serious cases, we bring in respected professionals such as accident reconstructionists and medical providers who can explain the full extent of your injuries.
We also work closely with you and your doctors to account for your future needs, not just your current bills. A catastrophic injury can call for years of care, and we make sure that future is part of your claim. When an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.
Throughout your case, we keep you informed every step of the way. You will never have to wonder where things stand, because we believe clear, honest communication is part of treating people with respect. When you have a question, you will get a real answer from someone who knows your case.
We also front the costs of building your claim, from filing fees to the professionals who help prove it. You take on no financial risk by working with us, since our fee comes only out of a recovery we win for you. That way, the size of your bank account never decides the strength of your representation.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Catastrophic Injury?
You may be able to recover money for both the financial and personal losses caused by your injury. The goal of a catastrophic injury claim is to help you cover what the injury has cost you and to support the care you will need going forward.
Because Michigan follows a no-fault auto insurance system, the rules around accident claims can be complicated, and the right to sue an at-fault driver depends on meeting a legal threshold under Michigan law.
Every case is different, but compensation in a catastrophic injury case may include:
- Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, medication, and rehabilitation
- Future medical care, such as long-term therapy, in-home assistance, and medical equipment
- Lost income, both the wages you have already missed and the earning power you may lose down the road
- Pain and suffering, which reflects the physical pain and emotional toll of a serious injury
- Home and vehicle modifications, like wheelchair ramps and accessible vehicles
No amount of money can undo a serious injury, but fair compensation can ease the financial strain and help you move forward with greater stability. We work hard to account for every loss, so that nothing you are owed gets left behind.
Part of that work is identifying everyone who may be responsible. Depending on how the accident happened, more than one party could share the blame, such as another driver, a trucking company, or a property owner. We look at every angle so the people who caused your harm are held accountable for it.
When an injury takes a life, the focus shifts to supporting the family left behind. A wrongful death claim can seek compensation for funeral costs, lost income, and the guidance and companionship a loved one provided. We handle these cases gently, and we treat every family the way we would want our own to be treated.
How Long Do You Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Michigan?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan. This deadline comes from the state’s statute of limitations, found in MCL 600.5805, and missing it can mean losing your right to compensation altogether.
Some claims come with much shorter deadlines. For example, cases involving a government agency, such as a crash with a city bus, often require written notice within a far smaller window. There are also separate deadlines for certain no-fault insurance benefits, which can apply within a year of the accident.
Because these time limits can be confusing and the clock starts running right away, it is wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as you are able. Acting early gives us the best chance to protect important evidence and your right to recover.
The Christensen Law Difference
Our firm has advocated for injured people in Michigan since 1991, and our approach rests on three simple principles: listen, protect, and win. These are not just words to us. They guide how we treat every client who walks through our door.
We Listen to You
You are not a case number to us. We take the time to understand your concerns and answer your questions in plain language, without empty promises or confusing legal terms.
We Protect Your Rights
Insurance companies and at-fault parties will often try to settle for far less than a case is worth. We deal with these companies on your behalf, so you can rest and recover while we carry the pressure.
We Win for You
Led by firm founder Dave Christensen and managing partner Sarah Stempky-Kime, our trial attorneys have secured record-setting settlements and verdicts for injured people throughout the state, including a $17.8 million motor vehicle accident case and a $9.5 million motorcycle crash case. Our work has also earned recognition from respected names in the legal community, including national rankings for personal injury litigation.
We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because that readiness often leads to stronger results. If you are ready to talk about your options, we are ready to listen, so contact us today for your free consultation.
FAQs Answered by Our Michigan Catastrophic Injury Lawyers
Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often from people dealing with a serious injury in Michigan.
How much does it cost to hire a catastrophic injury attorney in Michigan?
For us, nothing up front. We handle catastrophic injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. Your first consultation is always free.
Do I still have a case if I was partly at fault for the accident?
You may still have a case. Michigan uses a modified comparative fault rule under MCL 600.2959, which can reduce your compensation by your share of the blame but does not automatically bar you from recovering. It is worth having a lawyer review the details before you assume your claim has no value.
How long does a catastrophic injury case take to resolve?
It depends on the facts. Some cases settle in a matter of months, while others, especially those involving serious injuries and disputed fault, can take a year or more. Our catastrophic injury attorneys move as efficiently as we can while still pursuing the full value of your claim.
What if my loved one did not survive their injuries?
You may be able to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of your family. These claims can help cover funeral costs, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship. We handle these cases with the care and sensitivity they deserve.
Will my catastrophic injury case go to trial?
Many cases settle before trial, but not all of them do. We prepare every case for the courtroom from the start, and we are fully ready to go to trial when an insurance company will not offer a fair amount.
How will I afford medical care while my case is pending?
Often, help is available. Michigan’s no-fault system and other resources may cover medical costs while your claim moves forward. We can talk through the options that may apply to your situation during your free consultation.
What areas of Michigan do you serve?
We help injured people across the state, from the D to the UP. With offices in Detroit, Southfield, Ann Arbor, Troy, and Grand Rapids, we are never far from the communities we serve.
Talk to a Michigan Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today
A serious injury can leave you unsure about what comes next, but you do not have to figure it out by yourself. At Christensen Law, we are here to listen to your story, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation that can help you and your family move forward. Our consultations are always free, and you pay nothing unless we win.
Call us today at our Southfield office at 248-600-4591, or reach any of our Michigan locations to get started. Let us carry the legal burden, so you can focus on what matters most, which is your recovery.
