— CATASTROPHIC INJURY ATTORNEY — CHERRY HILL, NJ
Cherry Hill Catastrophic Injury Attorney
A serious injury can change your health, your work and your family’s finances for years. Attorney Blaise Richards lives in Cherry Hill and handles catastrophic injury cases personally. We offer a free consultation, and there is no fee unless we win.
Cherry Hill catastrophic injury lawyer
What we mean by a catastrophic injury
A catastrophic injury is a serious, life-changing injury that often needs long-term medical care, surgery or rehabilitation. Common examples include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Severe burns
- Amputation or the loss of a limb
- Crush injuries and multiple fractures
- Internal injuries that require surgery and ongoing treatment
Long-term costs
Why these cases take more than a quick settlement
The full cost of a catastrophic injury often shows up months or years later. Future surgeries, therapy, medication, home modifications, lost income and lost ability to work all need to be considered. Insurers often make early offers before the full extent of an injury is known, so it is important to understand the long-term picture before you accept any money.
Local roads
Serious crashes on Cherry Hill roads
Many of the most serious injuries we see in Cherry Hill come from crashes on the township’s busiest roads. Route 70 and Route 38 carry heavy, fast traffic past shopping centers and dozens of driveways. I-295 and the New Jersey Turnpike run along the township’s edge, where high speeds and tractor-trailers make crashes more violent. Route 41, Route 154 and Evesham Road see frequent rear-end and intersection collisions at busy lights.
Camden County’s numbers show how dangerous these roads can be. From 2021 to 2025, 241 people were killed in traffic crashes in Camden County, and 100 of them, or 41.5%, were pedestrians, according to New Jersey State Police data. See our South Jersey crash data report for the county-by-county numbers.
Your case
How a Cherry Hill catastrophic injury case works
Where the case is filed. A lawsuit over a crash in Cherry Hill is usually filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Camden County, at the Hall of Justice in Camden. Catastrophic injury cases often take longer than smaller claims because the full medical picture has to be documented first.
When the other driver was ticketed. If police ticketed the driver who caused the crash, the ticket is usually handled in Cherry Hill Municipal Court. How that ticket is resolved can help show who was at fault, so we follow it as part of building your claim.
Claims against public entities. If a township, county or state vehicle was involved, or a dangerous road or sidewalk condition contributed to the injury, New Jersey’s Tort Claims Act generally requires a written notice of claim within 90 days. That deadline is much shorter than the usual two-year limit, so act quickly.
Your attorney is local. Attorney Blaise Richards lives in Cherry Hill and handles each catastrophic injury case personally, from the first call to the final settlement or verdict.
New Jersey law
Auto insurance and New Jersey’s injury threshold
In most New Jersey car accident cases, a claim for pain and suffering depends on meeting a threshold set by state law. The threshold covers injuries such as death, dismemberment, significant scarring or disfigurement, displaced fractures, and a permanent injury. A licensed physician must certify the injury in writing, based on objective clinical evidence. Many catastrophic injuries meet this standard, but the medical records have to show it clearly.
Medical bills
Medical bills and personal injury protection
New Jersey auto policies include personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP pays medical bills up to $250,000 per person per accident, depending on the limit on your policy. Serious injuries can exceed that amount. Depending on your policy and your health insurance, other sources may cover the rest, including health insurance and a claim against the at-fault driver. We look at each of these sources so that bills and care are not left unpaid.
Evidence
Evidence that matters early
Some brain injuries and spinal injuries do not show their full effects right away. Get checked by a doctor promptly, follow the treatment plan you are given, and keep records of every appointment, prescription, missed day of work and out-of-pocket cost. Also keep the crash report, photos of the scene and the names of any witnesses. Early evidence helps the medical picture and the liability picture. Read more about traumatic brain injury after a car crash.
Next steps
What to do after a serious injury
- Get emergency medical care right away, even if you feel you can wait.
- Follow your doctors’ treatment plan, and tell them about every symptom.
- Keep a daily journal of pain, limits on daily activities and missed work.
- Request a copy of the police crash report. Read our guide on how to get your New Jersey crash report.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer until you have spoken with a lawyer.
- Talk with a lawyer before you accept any settlement, because a settlement usually cannot be reopened later.
Deadlines
Deadline to file
In New Jersey, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Some claims against public entities have shorter notice deadlines. See our guide to New Jersey filing deadlines.
FAQ
Catastrophic injury FAQs
Is a brain injury always a catastrophic injury?
Not always. The effects depend on the severity of the injury and how it affects your life. A brain injury can be serious even when the first scan looks normal, so it is worth having a lawyer review the medical records.
Will my PIP coverage pay for all of my medical bills?
Usually not. PIP pays up to $250,000 per person per accident, depending on the limit on your policy. Health insurance and claims against the at-fault driver may cover the rest.
Where would my Cherry Hill injury case be filed?
Most lawsuits over crashes and injuries in Cherry Hill are filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Camden County, at the Hall of Justice in Camden. The right venue can depend on where the injury happened and where the parties live, so we confirm it at the start of every case.
Do I need a lawyer for a serious injury?
Serious injury claims often involve large medical bills, long-term care and insurers who dispute the claim. A lawyer can handle those issues while you focus on your recovery.
How much does it cost to hire you?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee, so there is no fee unless we win.