What to Do After a Catastrophic Event?
A guide to protecting your health, rights, and financial future in the days and weeks following a serious injury or loss.
A catastrophic event changes everything at once, and no one expects you to have it all figured out. You do not need to solve everything today. Start with the steps below. They protect the things that are hardest to recover later: your health, the evidence, and legal options.
Steps to Take
- Get medical care right away - Your health comes first, and treatment records document what happened.
- Document everything - Take photos, write detailed notes about the incident, and file a police report.
- Hire an experienced attorney - Protect your rights from day one.
- Save your receipts - Track expenses such as medical care, prescriptions, and assistive devices.
- Keep all correspondence - Save every communication with doctors and specialists.
- Organize medical bills - Every expense matters for your case.
What to Avoid
- Do not speak to the insurance company - Let your attorney handle those conversations.
- Do not admit fault - Even an apology can be used against you.
- Do not settle before your medical treatment is complete.
- Do not sign release forms or cash checks too early.
- Do not discuss your case openly.
- Do not let anyone pressure you out of filing a police report or a claim.
Where a Legal Claim May Apply
Seek advice from a skilled attorney, who can help you move from uncertainty to clear resolution, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Most Common Claim Scenarios:
Medical Malpractice
When medical professionals fail to meet the standard of care, the results can be devastating. Malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming up to 400,000 lives each year. Common errors include medication mistakes, infections, oxygen toxicity in infants, and surgical negligence.
Birth Trauma
When medical professionals fail to meet the standard of care during labor and delivery, a newborn may suffer life-altering injuries, including brain damage, spinal cord injuries, and other serious harm.
Personal Injury
When someone fails to act with reasonable care and their actions cause harm, you may be entitled to compensation. Personal injury claims generally require proving that the other party's negligence caused you harm and resulted in damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other related losses.
Wrongful Death
When negligence results in the loss of a loved one, surviving family members may be entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost income and financial support, as well as pain and suffering.
You are not alone. We are here to help!
Questions are common at this stage. We’re here to listen, provide clear answers, and guide you through the next steps with confidence and care.
