When you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, you need strong legal support. If you are facing physical pain, mounting medical bills, lost wages, or emotional distress, the first step toward reclaiming your life through the legal process is hiring a dedicated personal injury attorney.

Unfortunately, searching for the right law firm for your needs can be like searching for a needle in a haystack: almost impossible. You know you deserve maximum compensation available for your case, but is hiring a Grand Island, Nebraska personal injury lawyer necessary, or will doing so only maximize your stress?

Please rest assured, help is only a phone call away. At Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, we are here for you. We firmly believe that every accident victim deserves the opportunity to recover the full value of his or her claim. Many insurance adjusters focus solely on the insurance company’s bottom line. This approach can lead to settlement offers that fail to cover the true costs of your injuries. 

With a comprehensive case evaluation and free consultation, our experienced personal injury lawyers will fight for fair compensation so you can secure the money necessary to rebuild your life.

What Types of Personal Injury Cases Can a Nebraska Law Firm Handle?

Personal injury attorneys handle Nebraska personal injury cases and insurance claims over a wide spectrum of cases.

At Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, our most common case types include the following:

  • Car accidents: Car accidents remain one of the primary causes of personal injury in Nebraska. They often result in significant medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term pain and suffering. Our attorneys in Grand Island have vast experience in handling auto accident cases and can guide you through the insurance claims process.
  • Motorcycle accidents: Motorcycle riders face a higher risk because they receive minimal protection during an accident. After taking on your case, a Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, personal injury attorney will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve if you were hurt in a motorcycle accident.
  • Slip and fall injuries: Premises liability cases arise when property owners fail to provide safe conditions. Whether an accident happens at a commercial property or at home, our attorneys are prepared to fight for your rights.
  • Back injuries and other harm: Back injuries, head traumas, soft-tissue injuries, and other forms of personal injury are complex and often require long-term care. We ensure that all associated medical costs are included in your claim.

After an accident, the aftermath is not limited to physical pain. Medical bills pile up — from emergency room visits and surgeries to diagnostic imaging and ongoing treatments.

Permanent Disability and Long-Term Care

In some cases, injuries result in permanent disability, altering your ability to work and perform daily tasks. 

A permanent injury means that, despite continuous treatment, lasting limitations will persist. Nebraska courts recognize that damages must address both long-term and immediate expenses, such as the following.

Why You Need a Personal Injury Team to Help With Your Rehabilitation

Recovery from a serious injury often requires rehabilitation, which can be divided into short-term and long-term programs. 

Acute or short-term rehabilitation is an intensive effort that starts shortly after your accident or surgery. The primary goal is to restore as much function as possible so that you can resume daily activities swiftly.

Long-term rehabilitation, on the other hand, is a gradual process intended for those who require prolonged therapy to regain lost functions or adapt to permanent changes. 

Because your current expenses represent only a fraction of the overall burden, Nebraska law allows you to claim compensation for future medical treatments and rehabilitation costs.

Home Health Care and Home Care Are Covered as Personal Injury Claim Damages

For many injury survivors, the desire is to continue living in a familiar environment. 

Nebraska offers several home care options that help maintain independence:

  • Home health care and skilled nursing agencies: Home health care services include wound care, patient and caregiver education, intravenous or nutrition therapy, injections, and monitoring of serious illnesses or unstable health conditions. Typically, home health care agencies deliver skilled clinical services in your home by nurses, therapists, and other professionals. 
  • Home care agencies: Home care offers personalized non-medical support, such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. This is ideal for individuals who need daily assistance but not intensive medical care. For some people recovering from injuries or dealing with long-term health conditions, cleaning support or transportation might be part of a Nebraska home health plan or covered by certain state-funded programs.
  • Pharmaceutical and infusion therapy providers: For those who need intravenous or nutritional therapies at home, specialized companies deliver drugs and equipment, often combining these services with home health care.
  • Durable medical equipment dealers: These providers supply essential equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, respiratory devices, and wound care supplies. They also offer installation and training services to ensure proper use.

Lowered Quality of Life

Perhaps one of the most profound yet intangible losses following a car accident is the reduction in overall quality of life. Reduced quality of life can be difficult to quantify, but Nebraska courts recognize that it is just as significant as economic losses. These non-economic damages — often referred to as pain and suffering — are as real and debilitating as physical injuries.

Some accident survivors may suffer chronic pain, psychological trauma, or a loss of enjoyment of activities that once brought them fulfillment. Many victims experience severe anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges following an accident. 

Mental health services provide the emotional and psychological support you need to cope. Additionally, expert opinions from mental health professionals further support your claim for non-economic losses like pain and suffering. 

Your personal narrative — detailing how your daily routines, relationships, and even hobbies have changed — also plays a major role in establishing the full scope of your pain. Other quality-of-life services and healthcare expenses that you might receive compensation for include the following.

Seek Maximum Financial Compensation for Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs) and Skilled Nursing

When home care is insufficient for a patient’s needs, skilled nursing facilities and long-term care hospitals serve as alternatives. Skilled nursing typically involves round-the-clock medical care provided in a facility by professional healthcare workers such as registered nurses and licensed therapists.

Long-term care hospitals cater to patients who are transferred from intensive care units (ICUs) or critical care units and require extended hospital stays. The average stay for patients in LTCHs was 26.2 days during 2017.

Let a Skilled Law Firm Help You Get Compensation for Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital Treatment

Within this framework, Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals (IRHs) are specialized LTCHs focused on intensive rehabilitation for patients recovering from events like strokes, severe injuries, or surgeries. IRHs offer individualized care programs designed to help patients regain function over the long term.

The average costs of IRH services in 2017 were:

  • All condition costs: $20,346 
  • Major multiple trauma without brain and/or spinal injury $20,991
  • Major multiple trauma with brain and/or spinal injury $24,995
  • Traumatic spinal cord injury $30,455
  • Nontraumatic brain injury $20,788
  • Traumatic brain injury $21,694
  • Fracture of lower extremity $20,625
  • Amputation, lower extremity $23,034
  • Pain syndrome $17,337
  • Non-traumatic spinal cord injury $23,349

Your medical costs may be covered in full or in part by the insurance companies. For example, Medicare covers many necessities for injured claimants, typically after another insurer covers initial costs. Acute or traumatic inpatient injury rates for Nebraska ranged from about $1,000 to $2,000.

Seek Financial Coverage For Home Modifications With a Grand Island Personal Injury Attorney

For many people, staying in their own home is the goal after an injury, but that often means making modifications such as:

  • Mobility improvements such as ramps and wider doorways
  • Safety upgrades and medical alert systems
  • Accessibility changes, such as bathrooms or kitchen redesigns for wheelchair use

Lost Wages and Reduced Ability to Work

Beyond direct medical expenses, many accident survivors face extended time away from work. Missing days, weeks, or even months of work not only destabilizes your financial situation but also jeopardizes your ability to cover rent, utilities, groceries, and other everyday obligations. 

Employer statements, time sheets, and payroll records become essential evidence when calculating lost wages and diminished future earning capacity.

You Can Benefit From Having a Grand Island, NE Personal Injury Lawyer by Your Side

You deserve a skilled, dedicated lawyer by your side after an accident. Insurance companies are not always inclined to provide full and fair compensation. Insurance companies may try to minimize your claims, disputing the severity of your injuries or the necessity of your medical expenses.

At Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, we understand your financial pressures and medical requirements. That’s why we make it our job to challenge the self-serving arguments of insurance companies.

You deserve compensation that truly reflects your losses if you were in an injury accident like the following:

No matter the type of accident you’ve experienced, our team is committed to standing by your side with compassionate support and strong legal representation. We work with you to assemble all the necessary evidence, including police reports, medical records, employment documentation, and detailed personal narratives. 

If you or a loved one has sustained a personal injury in Grand Island, NE, do not settle for less than you deserve. Protecting your rights and your future begins with a thorough understanding of your needs, from short-term recovery and lost wages to adaptive home care services. We also serve the nearby cities, including, Hastings, North Platte, Scottsbluff, and Kearney.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward rebuilding your life. Our experienced team is ready to guide you through every step of this challenging process and secure the financial support necessary for your full recovery.