A traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury can change a life in an instant. From mobility challenges to cognitive impairments, these injuries often require lifelong medical care, therapy, and personal support. In Hawai‘i, where medical costs and living expenses are already high, securing long-term care compensation is crucial to ensure stability, independence, and a high quality of life.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury due to someone else’s negligence, here’s what you need to know about pursuing compensation and protecting your future.
1. Understanding the Long-Term Impact of Serious Injuries
Brain and spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating types of trauma because they affect nearly every aspect of daily life. Victims often face:
- Extensive rehabilitation and physical therapy
- In-home nursing or caregiving needs
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Emotional and psychological struggles
- Long-term medical monitoring or surgeries
These costs can stretch over decades. Without adequate compensation, victims and families may face overwhelming financial strain. That’s why working with an attorney who understands complex, high-value injury claims is so critical.
2. Identifying the Responsible Parties
In Hawai‘i, compensation for catastrophic injuries depends on proving negligence — showing that another person, company, or entity was responsible for the harm. Responsible parties can include:
- Negligent drivers in motor vehicle accidents
- Property owners who failed to maintain safe conditions
- Employers or contractors in workplace accidents
- Medical providers in surgical or diagnostic errors
- Manufacturers of defective products or equipment
Your attorney will investigate the cause of your injury, gather evidence, and identify all possible sources of liability to ensure every responsible party is held accountable.
3. Calculating Long-Term Care and Future Needs
Unlike minor injury claims, catastrophic injury cases must consider the entire lifetime impact of the injury. That includes not only current medical bills, but also future expenses like:
- Ongoing rehabilitation, medications, and medical supplies
- Specialized home modifications and mobility equipment
- Long-term nursing or assisted living care
- Vocational retraining or loss of future earnings
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
Experienced personal injury attorneys work with medical and financial experts to create a comprehensive life care plan — a detailed roadmap that estimates the total cost of future care. This plan becomes a key component in negotiating or litigating for fair compensation.
4. Insurance and Settlement Challenges in Hawai‘i
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts in high-value cases, arguing that care costs are inflated or that victims can “adapt” without extensive support. In Hawai‘i, where the cost of living is among the highest in the nation, these tactics can be particularly detrimental to families struggling to recover.
A skilled attorney knows how to counter these tactics by presenting clear medical evidence, expert testimony, and real-world financial projections. The goal is to ensure your settlement or verdict reflects the true cost of living and healing in Hawai‘i.
5. Legal Deadlines and Why Acting Quickly Matters
Hawai‘i law limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit — generally two years from the date of the injury. While that may sound like plenty of time, building a strong case takes months of investigation and preparation. Acting quickly ensures evidence is preserved, witnesses are interviewed, and your claim is filed within all legal deadlines.
6. How Davis Levin Livingston Can Help
At Davis Levin Livingston, we’ve represented individuals and families across Hawai‘i who have suffered life-altering injuries. Our team understands the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that follow a catastrophic injury — and we have decades of experience securing multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts that cover long-term care and rehabilitation.
We collaborate with medical professionals, economists, and life care planners to ensure every future need is accounted for. Our mission is simple: to help you rebuild your life with dignity, security, and justice.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, contact Davis Levin Livingston today at (808) 740-0633 for a free and confidential consultation. We’ll help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.