Catastrophic injuries are generally considered to be those that leave an innocent party with long term or even permanent effects. They can take the form of spinal cord injuries where compression on the spinal cord results in paralysis in the upper and/or lower extremities. Sometimes the catastrophic injury can be to the head and is called a traumatic brain injury or TBI. These awful head injuries often leave a loved one with behavioral or cognitive changes. They can mean that a person’s personality is not even the same. Before the accident, life was normal and happy for the innocent party. After the accident, behavioral and cognitive changes lead to frustration, anger, and unwelcome limitations.
The catastrophic injury attorneys in the Pocatello office of Racine Olson know about these problems and can help. Racine Olson has been helping people who have suffered terrible injuries or wrongful deaths of loved ones since the 1940s. We have helped people who have suffered catastrophic injuries due to truck accidents, electrical accidents, product liability injuries, and automobile accidents. It does not matter the problem, Racine Olson has been there to stand beside the clients with problems and find solutions.
Be Aware the Pitfalls Contained in Idaho Law.It is crucial that you get an attorney that has the ability to find the appropriate expert, advance the costs necessary to retain the expert, and to properly disclose his or her opinions during the discovery process. For instance, an attorney is under an obligation to supplement expert opinions whether the expert is discussing the fault in the case or the damages that are owed. Failing to supplement the each expert’s opinion may mean that he or she will be excluded from trial. In 2009, the Idaho Supreme Court once again affirmed its position that a litigant must supplement its expert witness disclosures if or when an expert witness opinion is changed or added to. Schmechel v. Dille, M.D., 148 Idaho 176, 181, 219 P.3d 1192, 1197 (2009). The Supreme Court has previously stated that there is a continuing duty to supplement discovery with respect to both the substance of an expert’s opinion as well as the subject matter. Radmer v. Ford Motor Co., 120 Idaho 86, 813 P.2d 897 (1991). This includes where an expert’s opinion is modified, expanded, or altered in any other fashion. Id. The reason for this is that the Supreme Court wants a level playing field for both parties. If an opposing party does not know the opinions of the opposing expert, then preparation to cross-examine that expert is impossible. Id. This rule benefits both parties by making sure that experts are properly disclosed and protects against unfair surprises at trial.
At Racine Olson, with our offices in Boise, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls, we know the law and how to get evidence into trial. We’ll be there to help you.
Catastrophic Injuries can be Caused by Many Things Here in IdahoThe Pocatello Racine Olson catastrophic injury attorneys have handled all types of catastrophic injuries. These have included a products liability case where a boat trailer broke free from a truck, entered opposing traffic, and killed a mother and father on a motorcycle. Another such injury occurred when a husband and father was terribly burned when he was electrocuted by an improperly maintained electrical wire. Another terrible accident occurred due to poisonous gas on a job site. We have helped numerous people in terrible car accidents. In short, there have been many, many catastrophic accidents where we have helped people, our neighbors, with serious, life-changing problems.
It seems that a terrible accident is never something that “just happens.” Almost always, a catastrophic injury is the result of another person or company’s negligence. Oftentimes the injured party may not be aware that human error actually caused the injury. We can help. We know where to find the experts that are necessary to analyze the facts and circumstances of each situation. Furthermore, we are large enough to retain them and develop your case. Simply put, we can help.
Give Us a Call and Let’s Work Together to Solve your ProblemRacine Olson handles cases all over the state of Idaho from Idaho Falls, to Pocatello, to Twin Falls, Boise, and beyond. It really doesn’t matter. If you are unable to travel to your catastrophic injury, we’ll come to you. We’re anxious to help you solve the issue confronting you. Problem Solved.