Serious injuries are a common result of accidents—car crashes, explosions, medical malpractice, slip and fall accidents, among others. Broken bones or head trauma may mean considerable time needed to recuperate before resuming your life.

Catastrophic injuries result in some sort of permanent injury or disability. The need for continuing medical attention or treatment over many years can mean a significant financial burden for the family of the injured.

Common types of catastrophic injuries include:

• 3^rd degree burns
• Head injuries
• Multiple bone fractures
• Brain injuries
• Loss of hearing
• Chronic illness
• Spinal cord injuries
• Loss of hearing or sight
• Multiple bone fractures
• Loss of limb

The costs stemming from a catastrophic injury for rehabilitation, prescription medication, and other expenditures can be extremely high, particularly when the victim is unable to work due to their injuries.

Catastrophic personal injury cases exist to recover compensation for the escalated costs incurred when you or a loved one suffers a permanent or especially debilitating personal injury. While a full recovery may not be possible, a personal injury claim is a legal recourse for those who were injured by another’s negligence to obtain the financial compensation to keep the victim from experiencing and undue financial hardship for their medical treatment.

Glenda Cochran Associates, Attorneys at Law have been helping the victims of personal injuries for nearly 30 years and has been able to recover millions of dollars in damages in this time. Look to us to obtain what you need after suffering a catastrophic injury.

Wrongful death suits are personal injury claims which are filed by the close family or personal representatives of the victim, the decedent, to recover punitive damages for their loss. Each state has regulations regarding who may recover damages and other factors, and Alabama is no different. Here are some commonly asked questions concerning wrongful death suits.

For other questions regarding wrongful death cases in Alabama, reach out to Glenda Cochran Associates, Attorneys at Law for the legal advice you need.

What is “wrongful death”?
Wrongful death is a death caused by the “wrongful act, omission or negligence” of another where the injuries extend to those dependent upon the deceased for support. Wrongful death claims can be filed for any type of accident, such as car accidents or nursing home abuse, or criminal homicide, separate from a criminal case.

How do wrongful death cases work in Alabama?
In Alabama, families who lose a loved one due to another person’s negligence must pursue punitive damages to provide funds they need to help them move on. These damages are intended to punish the offender in cases where wrongdoing was involved. A Birmingham personal injury attorney will need to convince the jury that the defendant should be punished for their actions. In cases of accidental homicide, the jury may feel that living with the guilt is punishment enough, which is why you need an aggressive attorney representing you.

Who can recover punitive damages in a wrongful death claim?
Alabama is unique in that the only person who can initiate a wrongful death claim is the personal representative of the deceased’s estate. No family members of the deceased may bring a wrongful death claim.

How long do I have to file a wrongful death suit?
The statute of limitations in Alabama for personal injury claims, which includes wrongful death lawsuits, is two years from the date of the death. After this time, no jury will hear your case and no punitive damages can be recovered.

Because of concerns raised over the less-than safe placement of the fuel tank in 1993-2004 Jeep Cherokees and 2002-2007 Jeep Libertys, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began an investigation of their safety in 2010. The deaths of more than 75 people suggests the fuel tank was placed in the vehicle incorrectly.

As opposed to industry standards whereby gas tanks are placed in front of the rear axle to protect it in cases of rear-end accidents, Jeep chose to place the tanks for the Cherokee and Liberty models behind the rear axle, just under a foot from the bumper. This constitutes a risk of explosions in the event of an accident.

While NHTSA attempted to enforce a recall of almost 3 million Jeep vehicles, Chrysler contested the recall after purchasing Jeep in 2009. Once the U.S. Department of Transportation became involved, Chrysler voluntarily opted to recall 1.5 million Cherokee and Liberty vehicles and have a tow package installed in the rear of the vehicle to offer further protection for the gas tank.

Since this decision in 2013, however, only 3% of the vehicles have been equipped with a tow package and NHTSA has become frustrated with the time it took to recall the 1.5 million Chrysler vehicles. Many also question whether tow packages will provide vehicles with adequate protection for the gas tanks at all.

The victims of gas tank explosions all around the country have filed lawsuits accusing the manufacturer knew the risks involved with the tanks but failed to act.

Glenda Cochran Associates, Attorneys at Law can fight for your right to recover damages if you or a loved one suffered harm because of a gas tank explosion.