Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Queens

 
A catastrophic injury can change a person’s life in an instant. In Queens, these devastating injuries often occur on busy roadways, at construction sites, in workplaces, apartment buildings, shopping centers, and other everyday locations. What begins as a normal day can suddenly become a lifelong medical, emotional, and financial struggle for both the injured person and their family.

Catastrophic injuries are not temporary setbacks. They frequently involve permanent disability, long-term medical treatment, and a complete disruption of a person’s ability to work, live independently, and enjoy life as they once did. This page is written for people searching for a catastrophic injury attorney in Queens. It explains what qualifies as a catastrophic injury, how these injuries commonly happen in Queens, where serious accidents occur most often, and how Segal & Lax helps injured individuals and families pursue accountability and long-term compensation after life-altering injuries.

What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury is one that causes permanent or long-term impairment and significantly affects a person’s quality of life. These injuries often require ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and personal assistance for years—or even a lifetime.

Common catastrophic injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) 
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis 
• Amputations and loss of limbs 
• Severe burn injuries 
• Multiple fractures with permanent damage 
• Loss of vision or hearing 
• Severe internal organ injuries 

Unlike minor injuries, catastrophic injuries demand compensation that accounts for future medical needs, lost earning potential, and lifelong care.

Why Catastrophic Injuries Are Common in Queens

Queens is one of the largest and most active boroughs, with dense residential neighborhoods, major highways, airports, industrial areas, construction zones, and busy commercial corridors. Millions of people travel through Queens daily for work, shopping, healthcare, and transportation.

Catastrophic injuries frequently occur in Queens due to:

• Heavy traffic on major roadways and highways 
• Large-scale construction and development projects 
• Crowded sidewalks and intersections 
• Industrial and warehouse operations 
• Unsafe property and workplace conditions 

When safety rules are ignored or negligence occurs, the consequences are often severe.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Queens

Most catastrophic injuries are preventable and occur because someone failed to act responsibly.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

High-speed collisions involving cars, trucks, buses, or motorcycles are a leading cause of catastrophic injuries. Crashes on Queens Boulevard, Northern Boulevard, and Jamaica Avenue often result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and multiple fractures.

Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Accidents involving large trucks frequently cause catastrophic crush injuries, amputations, and fatalities—especially on major routes such as the Long Island Expressway, Van Wyck Expressway, and Grand Central Parkway.

Construction Accidents

Queens continues to experience extensive residential and commercial development. Falls from scaffolding, falling objects, collapsing structures, and equipment failures often lead to catastrophic injuries for construction workers and pedestrians.

Falls From Heights

Falls from ladders, rooftops, stairwells, balconies, and scaffolding are a major cause of traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents

Pedestrians and cyclists struck by vehicles frequently suffer catastrophic injuries due to lack of protection, especially at busy intersections and commercial corridors.

Workplace and Industrial Accidents

Warehouse, factory, and industrial accidents involving heavy machinery, forklifts, or hazardous materials can result in permanent, life-altering injuries.

Locations Where Catastrophic Injuries Commonly Occur in Queens

Catastrophic injuries can happen anywhere, but certain locations in Queens see them more frequently due to traffic volume and activity levels.

Major Roads and Highways

Serious injury accidents frequently occur on:

• Long Island Expressway 
• Van Wyck Expressway 
• Grand Central Parkway 

High speeds and heavy congestion increase the severity of crashes.

Busy Commercial Streets

Roads such as Queens Boulevard, Roosevelt Avenue, and Jamaica Avenue are frequent sites of catastrophic accidents involving vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Construction and Industrial Areas

Construction zones and industrial properties throughout Queens pose significant risks when safety standards are not followed.

Shopping Centers and Retail Areas

Severe injuries may occur near Queens Center Mall, Queens Place Mall, and Green Acres Mall, particularly in parking lots, loading zones, and busy intersections.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

TBIs can affect memory, speech, behavior, and physical coordination, often requiring lifelong treatment and supervision.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, necessitating long-term medical care and assistive devices.

Amputations

The loss of a limb permanently impacts mobility, employment, and daily activities.

Severe Burns

Burn injuries can cause permanent scarring, nerve damage, and emotional trauma, often requiring multiple surgeries.

Crush Injuries and Multiple Fractures

Severe fractures and crush injuries may lead to chronic pain, loss of function, and permanent disability.

Medical Care After a Catastrophic Injury in Queens

Victims of catastrophic injuries often require immediate emergency treatment followed by long-term care. Many are transported to Queens hospitals such as Elmhurst Hospital Center, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, or Queens Hospital Center.

Medical treatment may include:

• Emergency and reconstructive surgery 
• Intensive care hospitalization 
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapy 
• Psychological counseling 
• Long-term rehabilitation 
• Home health care or assisted living 

What to Do After a Catastrophic Injury in Queens

The steps taken immediately after a catastrophic injury are critical to protecting health and legal rights.

1. Seek emergency medical care immediately 
2. Preserve evidence if possible 
3. Document the accident scene 
4. Identify witnesses 
5. Avoid speaking with insurance companies without guidance 
6. Talk with one of our experienced catastrophic injury lawyers at Segal & Lax 

Early legal involvement helps ensure future needs are fully addressed.

Why Catastrophic Injury Cases Are Legally Complex

Catastrophic injury claims are among the most complex personal injury cases because they involve:

• Lifetime medical and care costs 
• Future lost earning capacity 
• Long-term disability planning 
• Multiple responsible parties 
• High-value insurance policies 

Insurance companies often fight aggressively to minimize payouts in these cases.

Who May Be Held Responsible for a Catastrophic Injury?

Depending on how the injury occurred, liable parties may include:

• Negligent drivers 
• Trucking and transportation companies 
• Property owners and landlords 
• Construction companies and contractors 
• Employers 
• Manufacturers of defective products 

Identifying every responsible party is essential to securing full compensation.

Compensation in Queens Catastrophic Injury Cases

A catastrophic injury claim may include compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses 
• Rehabilitation and therapy 
• Home modifications and assistive technology 
• Lost income and future earning capacity 
• Pain and suffering 
• Emotional distress 
• Loss of enjoyment of life 

Compensation must reflect a lifetime of needs—not short-term recovery.

The Impact of Catastrophic Injuries on Families

Catastrophic injuries affect entire families. Loved ones often become caregivers overnight, and financial pressures can be overwhelming. Compensation should account for these long-term burdens.

How Segal & Lax Helps After a Catastrophic Injury in Queens

At Segal & Lax, catastrophic injury cases receive focused and strategic attention. When you speak with one of our experienced catastrophic injury lawyers at Segal & Lax, the objective is to pursue compensation that truly reflects the lifelong impact of the injury.

Our approach may include:

• Comprehensive accident investigation 
• Collaboration with medical and life-care planning experts 
• Detailed analysis of future medical and financial needs 
• Identification of all responsible parties 
• Aggressive negotiation with insurers 
• Trial preparation when necessary 

Frequently Asked Questions About Catastrophic Injuries in Queens

How long do I have to file a catastrophic injury claim?

Strict deadlines apply. Acting quickly helps protect your rights.

What if my injury requires lifelong care?

Claims may include projected lifetime medical and support costs.

Can family members seek compensation?

In certain cases, family members may have related claims due to caregiving responsibilities and loss of support.

Why Local Queens Knowledge Matters in Catastrophic Injury Cases

Understanding Queens roadways, construction activity, and accident-prone locations strengthens catastrophic injury claims. Familiarity with crashes near the Long Island Expressway, along Queens Boulevard, or near Queens Center Mall allows for more precise investigations and stronger cases.

Speak With a Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Queens at Segal & Lax

If you or a loved one suffered a life-changing injury in Queens, experienced legal guidance is critical. Catastrophic injury cases require long-term planning, detailed analysis, and strong advocacy. When you talk with one of our experienced catastrophic injury lawyers at Segal & Lax, you gain a legal team committed to protecting your future and pursuing the full compensation you deserve.

This page is designed to help individuals searching for a catastrophic injury attorney in Queens understand their options and take the next steps after a devastating injury.