After a severe accident changes your life, finding the right Hackensack catastrophic injury lawyer is the first step toward reclaiming your financial independence. Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. provides the experienced legal representation required to hold at-fault parties accountable for your long-term medical needs.
Insurance companies intentionally undervalue claims involving permanent disabilities to protect their own bottom lines. For example, an adjuster might offer a quick settlement that covers your initial hospital bills but completely ignores the millions required for lifelong in-home nursing care.
This bad-faith strategy shifts the massive financial burden of a devastating condition entirely onto your family. Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. can get involved to level the playing field and protect your interests.
Call (201) 585-9111 today or fill out our online form to start building your claim.
Why Choose Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. for Your Hackensack Catastrophic Injury Claim
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. brings seasoned trial attorneys, knowledge of the Bergen County court system, and a history of substantial results to your case. We know how to build strong claims that can withstand intense scrutiny from corporate defense teams.
Our approach centers on meticulous investigation and a relentless drive to protect your future quality of life.
More Than 100 Years of Combined Experience
Our legal team brings more than 100 years of combined experience to every case we take on. Since we opened our doors in 1974, we’ve dedicated our practice to helping injury victims navigate the complex New Jersey legal landscape.
We regularly handle injury claims at the Bergen County Justice Center right here in Hackensack.
A Record of Substantial Results
We have collected more than $300 million for our clients by pursuing full compensation in high-stakes litigation. Our recent results include a $10 million settlement for a victim thrown from a vehicle and a $7 million award for a 23-year-old left with lifelong impairments after being struck on a highway.
We also secured a $6.2 million recovery for a commercial driver who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a trucking crash.
Nationally Recognized Legal Advocacy
Our firm has earned recognition from respected national legal organizations. We hold an Avvo 10.0 rating and are members of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. has also been recognized by Super Lawyers and included in Best Law Firms 2026 by Best Lawyers.
Contact our office at (201) 585-9111 or submit your details through our online form to speak with our Hackensack catastrophic injury lawyers today.
My experience with Maggiano office is incredible. I have been working with Michael’s firm for almost two years now and I always felt that they really cared for their individual client. Personally I loved that Michael would spend the time to get to know me as a person and care about my feelings and well being so he can truly protect me. Him and his firm is super kind and always willing to work with my demanding work schedule. They are very responsive and keep me in the loop of everything. I am very meticulous when it comes to follow up and getting tasks done in timely fashion.. and this firm definitely impressed me (and it is not easy to impress me).
If there is a family member or a friend looking for a law firm, I would recommend this firm in a heart beat.
Thank you very much to Michael and his team (especially Linda and Bernadette).
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for a very satisfying outcome to my recently settled case. I thank you for taking the case and the work you did on it. I really felt like I was in “good hands” with your firm. Everyone was professional and very capable.
I was very pleased to work with Mike Maggiano. He was personable, always on top of things, and made me feel this case was important to him, too. He represented me well, especially at the mediation. I appreciated everything you have done for me and my family during this difficult process. Again, thank you for everything.
We hired Chris DiGirolamo as our attorney after Mike suffered a life changing injury at work. From the time we met Chris we felt we can trust him to work in the best interest for Mike’s needs. Chris is very down to earth and we felt comfortable whenever we met with him. He spoke to us so we always understood what was going on. He never threw around legal jargon that we would not be able to understand. He was always willing to ensure we knew exactly how our case was proceeding. Chris showed humanity in dealing with Mike’s Injuries and understanding of Mike’s unwillingness to accept some of the changes in his life.
Chris’s high level of energy and desire to bring a case to the best possible results were evident from day one. Our case was settled but of court with the help of a mediator and Chris was by our side explaining what was going on every step of the way. His preparation throughout the case was evident as he spoke before the mediator. It was a pleasure to watch. Chris at work and know he was working for us. He is tough and stubborn when necessary. We were also impressed by the respect shown to Chris by the retired judge we worked with as well as other lawyers. Chris was only happy with this case when he knew we had a settlement that we were very impressed with.
What Makes an Injury Catastrophic or Permanent in New Jersey?
New Jersey law defines a permanent injury in certain motor vehicle claims as an injury in which a body part or organ has not healed to function normally and will not heal normally with further medical treatment.
Severe trauma often results from high-speed collisions on local thoroughfares like Route 4 or I-80, leading to a lifetime of specialized care. Proving permanency can affect whether you can pursue damages for pain and suffering under certain New Jersey laws.
Certain physical conditions can turn a personal injury claim into a complex case. Victims facing these realities need legal help to properly assess the lifelong impact of their harm.
Your Hackensack catastrophic injury lawyer can work closely with medical professionals to document exactly how these specific conditions alter your future.
We help families navigate the aftermath of catastrophic diagnoses, including:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Severe concussions and penetrating head wounds can permanently impair cognitive function, memory, and emotional regulation.
- Paralysis and Nerve Damage: Spinal trauma can cause a total or partial loss of motor function and leave a victim dependent on mobility aids.
- Amputations and Loss of Limbs: The surgical or traumatic removal of a body part can require lifelong prosthetic fitting and intensive occupational therapy.
- Extensive Burn Disfigurement: Third- and fourth-degree burns can cause severe scarring, restrict muscle movement, and require multiple skin graft surgeries.
Establishing Liability After a Life-Altering Accident in Hackensack, NJ
Proving fault in a catastrophic case requires demonstrating that the responsible party breached their standard of care, directly causing the incident that led to your permanent harm. Liability is rarely straightforward in claims involving millions of dollars in damages.
Our team meticulously reconstructs the events to establish a clear timeline of negligence.
Securing Crucial Accident Scene Evidence
Uncovering the truth means our legal team moves quickly to secure physical evidence before it disappears. Our investigators can document the scene, photograph physical evidence, and identify potential witnesses.
We also work swiftly to obtain critical police reports from the Hackensack Police Department.
Countering Aggressive Corporate Defenses
Corporate defendants and their insurance providers may attempt to shift the blame onto you to minimize their financial exposure. They may deploy rapid-response teams to collect witness statements and present facts in a way that supports their defense.
Our Hackensack catastrophic injury attorneys counter these tactics by subpoenaing surveillance footage from surrounding businesses to provide an unbiased view of the collision.
Identifying All Responsible Parties
Holding a negligent party accountable goes beyond just identifying the immediate wrongdoer at the scene. Often, multiple entities share liability for a single catastrophic event, such as third-party contractors or vehicle manufacturers.
Pursuing every available avenue of liability helps prevent a responsible corporate entity from avoiding accountability for destroying your livelihood.
Overcoming Common Insurance Company Roadblocks in Catastrophic Injury Claims
Insurance companies often dispute catastrophic claims by arguing that your injuries were pre-existing or that your future medical needs are exaggerated. Our catastrophic injury attorneys in Hackensack know exactly how to expose these bad-faith tactics during negotiations.
We refuse to let profit-driven adjusters dictate the value of your physical and emotional suffering.
Defeating Bad-Faith Negotiation Tactics
Insurance providers may use specialized software programs to help evaluate injury claims. They often offer quick settlements before victims realize the full extent of their permanent disability.
Our Hackensack catastrophic injury attorneys systematically tear down their defenses by presenting detailed financial projections that support your future needs.
Protecting Your Statement From Adjusters
Insurance representatives often ask victims to provide recorded statements shortly after the trauma occurs. Your answers may be used to challenge the severity of your condition.
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. protects our clients from these efforts by acting as an impenetrable shield between you and the insurance investigators.
Utilizing Objective Medical Data
Filing severe burn injury claims or other devastating cases requires a strategic approach to overcome these specific adjuster tactics. We use advanced imaging, surgical records, and expert diagnostics to prove the undeniable reality of your physical damage.
Our attorneys prepare every case as if it will go before a Bergen County jury, forcing insurance companies to negotiate honestly.
Verdicts and Settlements
$101,000,000 - Parking Garage Collapse
Verdict went to 20 injured workers and the families of four workers who were killed in the collapse of a parking garage at the Tropicana Casino Resort in 2003. The case involved multiple defendants, including Tropicana and a number of construction contractors. The parking garage collapsed while it was under construction because rebar was not properly installed, leaving the floors disconnected from the walls. As part of…
$5,000,000 - Family SUV Struck by Truck
Recovery secured for a husband, wife, and four children as a result of a tractor trailer making an improper turn into the right of way of the family SUV in which the husband was driving with wife in the front passenger seat and four children secured in the rear seat compartment area.
$2,000,000 - Late Diagnosis
In his senior year of high school football, after undergoing a surgical rod repair of a displaced tibia/fibular fracture, a young man was the victim of medical negligence by the late diagnosis of a known complication of the surgery known as compartment syndrome, resulting in the loss of all tendons and muscle of his calf as well as osteomyelitis.
What Compensation Can You Pursue for a Catastrophic Injury?
Pursuing fair compensation for a permanent disability requires calculating both your immediate hospital bills and the specialized care you’re expected to need in the future. Every financial loss caused by your injury must be identified, supported with evidence, and included in your personal injury claim.
Our Bergen County catastrophic injury lawyers evaluate settlement offers carefully to determine whether they account for your long-term medical and financial needs.
Calculating Lifelong Economic Damages
We use economic analysis to project inflation, rising healthcare costs, and your total lost earning capacity over the remainder of your life. Our severe injury lawyers serving Bergen County understand that a settlement based only on your current expenses could leave decades of future losses uncovered.
We negotiate for compensation that reflects the full extent of your documented long-term needs.
Funding Necessary Home Modifications
Victims of extreme trauma frequently require extensive home modifications, specialized transportation, and round-the-clock nursing assistance. Complex conditions like combined brain and spinal cord injuries can create substantial costs over a lifetime.
We work with medical, vocational, and financial professionals to document the necessary equipment, care, and architectural changes required to navigate your own home.
Valuing Your Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Beyond economic losses, New Jersey law allows you to pursue compensation for physical pain, disability, impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life. Catastrophic harm can limit your ability to participate in hobbies, play with your children, and live independently.
We use medical records, testimony, and evidence of your life before and after the injury to show how deeply those losses affect you.
How Our Hackensack Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Manage Complex Medical Evidence and Experts
We collaborate closely with specialists at leading institutions, such as Hackensack University Medical Center, to produce detailed reports that outline your exact prognosis. A strong medical foundation usually requires working with physicians, life care planners, and economic experts who can objectively explain the severity of your limitations.
A standard medical record is not enough to convince an insurance company to hand over a multi-million dollar settlement. Our Hackensack spinal cord injury attorneys understand that expert testimony is the linchpin of any successful catastrophic claim, and we leverage our experience to build your claim.
Properly documenting your condition requires a proactive approach to gathering medical evidence. We advance the costs of qualified medical experts when their input is needed to strengthen your case.
Your Bergen County catastrophic injury lawyer clearly translates complex medical language into plain facts that an insurance company, judge, or jury can easily understand.
Depending on the facts of your claim, we typically rely on several key professionals, including:
- Specialized Medical Providers: Neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and reconstructive specialists can explain the nature of your injuries, necessary treatment, and expected limitations.
- Certified Life Care Planners: These experts can create detailed projections of the medical treatment and assistance you’re expected to need.
- Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists: These professionals can evaluate how your physical limitations affect your ability to work and earn income.
- Forensic Economists: Financial experts can calculate the present value of your future lost earnings and projected medical expenses.
FAQ for Hackensack Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury in New Jersey?
A catastrophic injury generally causes severe, long-term harm that limits your ability to work, live independently, or complete everyday activities. These injuries can include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis, amputations, and extensive third-degree burns.
A Hackensack catastrophic injury attorney can work with medical specialists to document the permanence of your condition and its effect on your future.
Should I Speak With the Insurance Adjuster After a Severe Car Crash in Hackensack, NJ?
Speak with a lawyer before providing a recorded statement or negotiating directly with the opposing insurance adjuster. Insurance representatives can use incomplete or poorly worded statements to dispute your injuries or argue that you share fault for the accident.
Directing communications through your legal representative can protect your rights and prevent your words from being taken out of context.
How Does a Hackensack Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Prove My Future Medical Costs?
A Hackensack catastrophic injury lawyer can prove future medical costs through medical opinions, life care plans, and financial analysis. These experts evaluate your diagnosis and anticipated needs to estimate the likely costs of surgeries, physical therapy, nursing care, and specialized equipment over time.
New Jersey requires evidence of the probable need for future care and the reasonable cost of that care, rather than mathematical certainty.
Will My Bergen County Catastrophic Injury Case Have To Go to Trial in Bergen County?
Your catastrophic injury case won’t necessarily go to trial because many claims are resolved through settlement negotiations. Preparing the evidence as though the case could reach trial can strengthen your lawyer’s position when negotiating with the insurance company.
If the parties can’t reach a fair agreement, your legal team can file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires and present your claim in court.
Who Can File a Claim if the Victim Is Incapacitated?
A court-appointed guardian can pursue a personal injury claim for someone who has been legally declared incapacitated. A family member doesn’t automatically gain that authority merely because the victim is unconscious or unable to communicate.
The Superior Court must generally determine incapacity and formally appoint and authorize a guardian before that person can act on the victim’s behalf.
Take Control of Your Recovery Today
Protecting your family’s future requires legal representation from attorneys who understand the financial stakes of permanent disability claims. You need a legal team that can confront insurance companies, document your lifelong needs, and pursue compensation from every responsible party.
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. brings the trial experience and expert resources needed to build a strong claim and hold negligent parties accountable. Contact our legal team to begin preserving evidence and building your case.
Call us at (201) 585-9111 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation. You can also visit our Hackensack office at Court Plaza South, 201 Main Street, Suite 206, Hackensack, NJ 07601.
Hackensack Office
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C.
Court Plaza South
21 Main St., Suite 203
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: (201) 585-9111
