When Your Back Is Against The Wall

Mount Pleasant Catastrophic Injury Lawyers

Not all personal injuries are created equal.

Some accidents leave behind more than just bruises and bills—they leave permanent scars, ongoing medical needs, and lives permanently altered. These are known as catastrophic injuries, and they demand legal representation that understands the high stakes involved.

At Lanier Law Group, we provide strong, compassionate legal counsel to individuals and families in Mount Pleasant facing the aftermath of catastrophic injuries. Whether caused by a car crash, workplace accident, medical malpractice, or another traumatic event, we help our clients fight for the full and fair compensation they need to adapt, recover, and move forward.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

Catastrophic injuries are those that cause severe, long-term, or permanent impairment. They often affect a person’s ability to earn a living, care for themselves, or live independently. These are not injuries that you recover from in a few weeks—they are life-altering in the most literal sense.

Each type of catastrophic injury presents unique challenges, from prolonged hospital stays and ongoing physical therapy to psychological trauma and the need for assistive technologies. Below are some of the most serious types we encounter in Mount Pleasant personal injury cases:

Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting mobility, bladder and bowel control, and sensory functions. Victims may need wheelchairs, extensive rehabilitation, and home modifications to maintain some level of independence.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can vary in severity but often impact memory, concentration, speech, and even personality. TBIs may require lifelong medical supervision and can disrupt every aspect of a person’s personal and professional life.

Severe Burns

Burn injuries can lead to intense physical pain, infection, permanent scarring, and disfigurement. Victims often undergo multiple surgeries and skin grafts and may face psychological challenges tied to their appearance and trauma.

Amputations

Losing a limb is not just physically disabling—it can also be emotionally devastating. Amputees often require prosthetics, physical therapy, and emotional support to adjust to daily life.

Paraplegia or Quadriplegia

Paralysis affects a person’s ability to move parts of their body and can result from spinal cord injuries or neurological damage. These injuries often require full-time care and dramatically reshape one’s ability to live independently.

Loss of Vision or Hearing

Sudden or traumatic loss of vision or hearing robs individuals of vital senses and forces them to relearn how to navigate the world. These injuries can stem from explosions, head trauma, or exposure to toxic substances.

Crush Injuries or Internal Organ Damage

These injuries are common in industrial accidents and serious vehicle collisions. Crush injuries may affect multiple limbs and organs, while internal injuries often require emergency surgery and can have lasting effects on vital functions.

These injuries often require ongoing medical care, assistive devices, home modifications, and support services—costs that add up quickly. At Lanier Law Group, we understand that a settlement isn’t just about the past. It’s about securing your future. To understand what that looks like, though, it’s important to understand how these devastating events occur.

To get started, call 919-342-1368 today.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant is a vibrant community, but it’s not immune to tragedy. Catastrophic injuries often stem from incidents that could have been prevented if others had acted with proper care. Here are the most common causes our legal team sees—and the risks they pose:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Whether it’s a high-speed crash on I-526 or a distracted driver running a red light on Highway 17, vehicle collisions are a leading cause of catastrophic injuries in Mount Pleasant. Victims of these crashes often suffer spinal injuries, TBIs, or permanent mobility loss. Our team thoroughly investigates traffic incidents to determine fault and liability.: High-speed crashes on I-526 or Highway 17 can leave victims with devastating injuries.

Falls from Heights

Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or rooftops frequently occur on construction sites and in industrial settings. These incidents can lead to broken backs, head trauma, and even paralysis. Employers and property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe environments, and we hold them accountable when safety is neglected.: Construction workers and laborers are especially vulnerable to life-altering falls.

Boating and Watercraft Accidents

Mount Pleasant’s proximity to the water means recreational boating is common—but so are accidents. Collisions, capsizing, and unsafe operation can result in drowning, spinal injuries, and limb loss. These cases often involve complex maritime laws, and our attorneys are prepared to navigate them.: With our proximity to the coast, collisions on the water can be just as deadly as those on the road.

Medical Negligence

When doctors, nurses, or hospitals make avoidable mistakes, the results can be permanent. Surgical errors, misdiagnoses, or anesthesia complications may lead to brain damage or other lifelong impairments. These cases demand meticulous review of records and expert testimony to prove fault.: Surgical errors, anesthesia complications, or delayed diagnoses can result in permanent harm.

Defective Products

Faulty equipment, malfunctioning car parts, or unsafe household items can cause catastrophic injuries through fires, explosions, or mechanical failure. Product liability cases require identifying design flaws or manufacturing errors, often involving large corporations and complex legal strategies.: Unsafe machinery, car parts, or consumer goods may lead to catastrophic harm.

Assault or Intentional Violence

Intentional acts of violence—such as assaults or shootings—can leave victims with devastating physical and psychological injuries. In addition to criminal charges, civil claims can be brought against the perpetrator or, in some cases, a third party who failed to provide proper security.: Physical attacks can result in severe brain or spinal injuries.

Regardless of what caused your catastrophic injury, the next step is holding the responsible party legally accountable.

Proving Liability in a Catastrophic Injury Case

South Carolina law allows victims of negligence to seek compensation from those who caused their injuries. To do that, we must prove:

Duty of Care: The defendant had a legal responsibility to act safely.
Breach: The defendant failed to uphold that duty.
Causation: The breach directly led to your injury.
Damages: You suffered losses as a result.

In catastrophic injury claims, these elements must be supported with a higher level of documentation and detail because the stakes are so high. Unlike minor injuries, catastrophic injuries often involve permanent disabilities or impairments that require lifelong care. This makes it even more critical to prove not only how the accident happened, but how the consequences will impact your life over time.

To establish liability, we start by gathering and preserving physical evidence from the scene of the incident—whether it be skid marks from a crash, damaged scaffolding at a job site, or faulty equipment in a workplace. We also interview eyewitnesses and gather surveillance footage, when available.

Next, we work with a network of professionals to validate the details of your case. Accident reconstruction experts recreate what happened, while medical specialists outline the severity of your condition and the care you will need going forward. Economists and vocational experts help us calculate your future lost income and financial burdens.

Liability can rest on individuals, corporations, healthcare providers, or even government agencies. Our job is to pursue every possible path to justice. Whether it was a distracted driver, a negligent surgeon, or a property owner who failed to repair dangerous conditions, we will build a case that makes it clear: their actions led to your suffering, and they must be held accountable.

Understanding liability sets the stage for the most pressing concern for many families—how to afford a future changed by injury.

What Compensation Is Available for Catastrophic Injuries?

Because of the permanent nature of these injuries, settlements and verdicts in catastrophic injury cases are often substantial. These damages refer to tangible financial losses, non-economic damages, and, in some cases, punitive damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages refer to the tangible financial losses that result from the injury. These include costs such as emergency room visits, extended hospital stays, surgeries, and ongoing rehabilitation. Many victims require long-term care or in-home nursing, which places an enormous financial burden on families. Expenses for medications, assistive devices like wheelchairs, and necessary modifications to the home—such as ramps or specialized beds—are also recoverable. In addition, if the injury limits or eliminates the ability to work, victims can recover lost income as well as damages for diminished future earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages

These focus on the human side of the injury—the suffering that cannot be quantified in a bill or receipt. These may include compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment in everyday life. If the injury results in permanent disfigurement or scarring, the emotional impact of those visible changes is also factored in. Furthermore, catastrophic injuries often affect relationships, leading to a loss of companionship, affection, or support within a family.

Punitive Damages

In certain cases, when the defendant’s behavior is found to be particularly reckless or intentionally harmful, punitive damages may be awarded. These are not meant to compensate the victim directly but to punish the wrongdoer and send a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.

At Lanier Law Group, we take great care in calculating the full value of your claim. Our team works with financial experts, life care planners, and medical professionals to ensure that every past, present, and future cost is considered before we ever enter settlement negotiations or go to trial.

Given the complexity and high stakes of these claims, having the right legal team on your side can make all the difference.

Why You Need a Mount Pleasant Catastrophic Injury Lawyer

These cases are complex. They require not only a strong understanding of South Carolina personal injury law, but also an ability to work with medical experts, analyze long-term care costs, and negotiate with powerful insurance companies.

Lanier Law Group brings all of that and more. We have decades of experience handling high-stakes injury cases. Our team is relentless when it comes to holding negligent parties accountable and securing maximum compensation for our clients.

When you work with us, you get:

A thorough, independent investigation
Access to top medical and financial experts
Clear communication and personal support
A law firm prepared to go to trial if necessary
No upfront fees—we only get paid if we win your case

We understand that catastrophic injury claims require more than a typical legal strategy. These are not one-size-fits-all cases. Each client comes to us with a unique story, a distinct set of medical needs, and a future that must now be reimagined. That’s why we work closely with life care planners, rehabilitation specialists, and vocational experts to develop a legal approach that addresses every dimension of your loss.

Whether we’re facing off against a hospital, a multinational corporation, or an insurance provider with deep pockets, our goal is to level the playing field. We gather the evidence, we consult with the experts, and we tell your story in a way that’s both powerful and precise. And while many of our cases settle out of court, we prepare every claim as if it’s going to trial.

You deserve a legal team that will go the distance—because that’s what it takes to make things right. At Lanier Law Group, we’re ready to fight for your future as if it were our own.

Choosing a law firm is a critical decision—one that could shape your financial recovery and quality of life for years to come.

Why Choose Lanier Law Group?

Founded in 1997 by Attorney Lisa Lanier, our firm was built on the belief that injury victims deserve more than legal help—they deserve advocates. Over the years, we’ve expanded across North and South Carolina, taking on major insurers, corporations, and negligent professionals on behalf of those who can’t fight alone.

We understand what’s at stake in catastrophic injury cases. We know that our work affects not just our clients, but their families, their futures, and their dignity. That’s why we bring our full resources to every case, every time. If you’re ready to take the first step toward accountability and financial recovery, we’re here to help.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a life-altering injury, don’t wait. The road ahead may be long, but you don’t have to walk it alone. Let Lanier Law Group stand beside you.

Call 919-342-1368 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with a catastrophic injury lawyer today. We’re here to fight for your future—and we don’t back down.

Your road to recovery starts now. Call 919-342-1368 or contact us online for a free consultation. Let us take on the legal battle so you can focus on healing and moving forward.

We Won't Back Down

Lanier Law Group is Here When Results Matter Most

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Mount Pleasant

We Fight for Our Clients

*Featured Case Results, Settlements, & Trial Wins From Our Attorneys

$4.8 Million

Settlement

A case with multiple plaintiffs who were potentially exposed to a deadly disease while in the hospital.

$3.1 Million

Birth Injury/Hypoxic Brain Injury

The OB doctor’s negligence caused a delay in the baby’s birth which resulted in the baby suffering of a severe hypoxic brain injury.

$1.375 Million

Medication Overdose/Hospital Negligence

Our client died following an overdose of medication that occurred as a result of the negligence of the nursery staff while they were in the hospital.

$1.2 Million

Birth Injury/Developmental Delay

Our client suffers from a severe developmental delay following a birth injury when there were signs of fetal distress that were not responded to.

$500,000

Botched Gall Bladder Surgery

Our client suffered an injury to their common bile duct during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

$425,000

Surgical Error

A client had their bowel perforated during a ventral hernia repair.

We Never Back Down From a Fight

Featured Reviews, Testimonials & Results

"20 out of 10 stars."

There are times in your life you are so hurt and feel life has a grudge against you. Nothing in your life is going right. I lost the most important person in my life to death, of which I knew mistakes were made because I witnessed it with my own eyes. When you contact a law group you most of the time get all business and a matter of fact conversation. I want all to know that from the first phone call they listened to my lengthy story, sobbing most of the time with so much compassion. They never made any promises but offered assurances that no stone would be unturned. They fulfilled every word they said. They restored faith that I had lost. Until you are in a position like mine you can never know how invaluable Lanier Law Group is. They were wonderful while maintaining their professionalism. They treated me like a family member. They really do care about their clients. But most of all they are the best at what they do. I worked in the court system for years so I knew how attorneys and law firms basically operated. Understanding the law and it’s interpretation is the ultimate key to winning any case. Also know that if an attorney/attorneys study and review your case and know that you don’t have a chance in a court of law and are big enough to tell you that instead of giving you false hope, you then my friend have a group with valuable shared values. I have so much respect for everyone in this Law Group. I recommend Lanier Law Group, P.A. to anyone who needs representation, they are in your corner. 20 out of 10 stars.

- Diane W.

"Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members"

I started working with Lanier Law Group in 2020 on my Social Security Disability case. They from start to finish were awesome. My case manager Janet Hanks and attorney, Ashley Sappenfield were always available to answer all my questions. I did not have to do much but sit back and let them handle whatever was needed. My case took too long (2 years) and if I did not have Janet and Ashley My case would still not be approved. I would recommend Lanier to anyone to get the job done and approved. Do not go to another firm with your case, who promise the world and do not see it to completion and do not think another firms would have worked as hard as they did on my case. Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members to handle any cases of this type and other legal services they provide. They went above and beyond!

- Phillip J.

"So thankful for your expertise and professionalism"

Mrs. Gonzalez did an awesome job of explaining everything in detail and keeping me informed on the status of my case. Despite poor customer service with the insurance company, Mrs. Gonzalez was able to fix what they could not. Mrs. Gonzalez was very helpful with helping me understand things that I was not aware of when dealing with insurance claims. I am so thankful for her expertise and professionalism.

- Mario H.

"Always ready to answer any questions I may have"

The staff kept me well informed in a more than timely manner and was always ready to answer any questions I may have.

- Timothy M.

"The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service!"

The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service! My main contact was Denise.

- Malinda P.

Respect. Integrity. Passion.

Our Commitment to Our Clients

We Come Prepared

After an injury, every second counts. We are available to meet with you in person, virtually, or at your location to provide the highest quality legal counsel.

We're In Your Corner

Every case we take on has a team of dedicated professionals assigned to make sure that we're delivering the best possible service and results.

We're Here For You 24/7

Regardless of when you contact our firm, we're here to make sure that you get the answers you need. We also offer weekend appointments and consultations.

We Never Back Down

Our attorneys are confident taking cases to trial and will always seek to maximize your compensation.