Las Vegas Catastrophic Injury Attorney

Las Vegas Brain And Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

When a catastrophic injury leaves you with huge medical bills, questions about whether you will be able to work again and confusion about what options you have, Ralph Schwartz, is here for you. We recognize that those who suffer severe injuries are going through one of the most difficult and anxiety-filled experiences of their lives. As such, we do everything we can to help them recover compensation and keep the legal process as stress free as possible.

We provide you with personal attention from firm founder Ralph Schwartz and a legal assistant. This allows you to receive a straightforward assessment of your case and answers to your questions from an attorney who has decades of trial experience. Our firm focuses the majority of its practice on injury law, allowing us to stay up-to-date on developments in the field and understand all possible legal strategies we can use to help you maximize the compensation you receive.

Are my injuries Catastrophic?

An injury is typically considered catastrophic if the victim requires extended medical treatment or suffers a permanent disability. Many times, catastrophic injuries take the form of:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Back injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Neck injuries
Compressed or fractured vertebrae
Paralysis (quadriplegia, paraplegia, and other paralysis)
Nerve damage
Chronic pain
Burn injuries
Disfiguring scarring
Inhalation injuries that cause permanent lung damage
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Amputation of a limb
Loss of vision or hearing

Our Las Vegas brain and spinal cord injury attorney has the ability to help those who have suffered any kind of catastrophic injury.

We are even able to represent surviving family members who have lost a loved one due to severe injuries. We bring wrongful death lawsuits to help you hold those who caused your loss accountable for their negligence.

What Catastrophic Injuries Really Cost

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, a 25 year old who suffers high tetraplegia can face lifetime costs exceeding $4.7 million. Even a lower level spinal cord injury can cost well over $1.5 million over a lifetime. These figures cover medical care and daily living expenses only. They do not include lost wages or reduced earning capacity, which can add hundreds of thousands of dollars more.

These numbers show why a fair settlement must account for decades of future care, not just the bills you have already received.

Case Spotlight

$2 Million: (2005)

Our 35-year-old client suffered a spine injury when her car was struck in a parking lot. Our attorney negotiated a $2 million settlement before trial.

$1,500,000 (2026)

Our client, a 69 year old man, was struck when another driver failed to yield the right of way. He suffered severe back injuries, fractured ribs, and a concussion that required multiple hospitalizations and surgeries. Our firm worked closely with his medical providers to document the full extent of his injuries and negotiated a settlement that reflected both his immediate treatment and his long term recovery needs.

Calculating the value of your claim

As a Nevada personal injury law firm, it is our duty to illustrate catastrophic personal losses in economic terms and to present the insurance companies and jury with a compelling statement regarding the true value of your claim.

When calculating the value of our client’s claim for a serious injury, our law firm works with medical, life care and economic experts to create compelling arguments that take into consideration your loss of earning power, pain and suffering, loss of services and all other damages.

What to Expect From Your Case

Every catastrophic injury case moves through a few key stages. We investigate the accident and gather evidence while you focus on treatment. We work with medical providers and life care planners to document your current condition and future needs. We prepare a demand package and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to trial.

Because catastrophic injuries often require ongoing treatment, we do not rush to settle before your condition and long term needs are fully understood. This approach protects your right to full compensation.

Nevada Law and Your Catastrophic Injury Claim

Nevada gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under NRS 11.190. This deadline can pass faster than it seems, especially when you are focused on medical treatment and recovery. Waiting too long to speak with an attorney can permanently affect your ability to recover compensation.

Nevada also follows a modified comparative negligence rule known as the 51% bar, codified under NRS 41.141. Under this rule, you can still recover damages even if you share some fault for the accident, as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering anything. Insurance companies are aware of this rule and will often try to shift a larger share of blame onto you to reduce or eliminate your claim. Having an attorney who understands how to counter these tactics can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

In most catastrophic injury cases in Nevada, there is no cap on the compensatory damages you can recover. Punitive damages are capped under NRS 42.005, but that cap does not apply to compensatory damages such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. This means your award can reflect the true cost of your care without being limited by an arbitrary statutory ceiling. Caps generally apply only in specific situations, such as claims against government entities or medical malpractice cases. Because catastrophic injuries often come with lifelong care needs, this is an important distinction that can significantly affect the value of your claim.