Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are some of the most devastating and life-changing injuries a person can experience. They often lead to long-term disabilities, extensive medical treatment, and a significant financial burden. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, a spinal cord injury attorney can help you pursue compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Why You Need a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Spinal cord injury cases are complex and often involve significant financial stakes. The medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, and long-term care associated with SCIs can be overwhelming. A skilled spinal cord injury attorney specializes in handling these cases and will work to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Here’s how a spinal cord injury attorney can assist you:
1. Proving Liability
One of the most challenging aspects of a spinal cord injury case is proving that another party is responsible for your injury. This could be due to a car accident, workplace incident, medical malpractice, or defective product. A spinal cord injury attorney investigates the incident, gathers evidence, consults experts, and builds a strong case to demonstrate the at-fault party’s negligence.
2. Navigating Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, especially in high-cost cases like spinal cord injuries. An attorney knows how to deal with insurance adjusters and ensure that any settlement offer reflects the full scope of your current and future expenses, including medical bills, home modifications, and long-term care.
3. Maximizing Compensation
Spinal cord injuries require significant financial resources for treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. Your attorney will work to ensure that you are compensated for:
- Medical Costs: This includes current and future medical expenses, surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and assistive devices like wheelchairs.
- Lost Wages: If your injury prevents you from returning to work, or limits your earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income.
- Pain and Suffering: Beyond the financial toll, spinal cord injuries also result in emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and psychological trauma. Compensation for pain and suffering is often a significant component of these cases.
- Long-Term Care Needs: Many SCI victims require ongoing medical care, in-home assistance, or residence in specialized facilities. A spinal cord injury attorney will factor these future needs into your compensation claim.
- Home Modifications: You may need to make your home accessible, including adding ramps, widening doorways, or installing specialized equipment.
4. Litigating in Court
If negotiations with the insurance company or responsible parties do not lead to a fair settlement, your attorney can take your case to court. With extensive experience in spinal cord injury litigation, they will present your case in front of a judge or jury to fight for the compensation you need.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can happen in a variety of circumstances, and determining the cause is crucial for establishing liability. Some of the most common causes include:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, motorcycle, and truck accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Whether due to reckless driving, distracted driving, or drunk driving, the responsible party can be held liable for damages.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Falls are another leading cause of spinal cord injuries, especially among older adults. Property owners can be held liable if unsafe conditions, such as wet floors or uneven surfaces, caused the fall.
- Workplace Accidents: Construction site accidents, machinery malfunctions, or inadequate safety measures at the workplace can result in serious spinal cord injuries. Workers’ compensation may cover some damages, but additional claims may be necessary.
- Sports Injuries: High-impact sports such as football, diving, or skiing can lead to spinal injuries. In some cases, negligence on the part of coaches, facilities, or equipment manufacturers can be to blame.
- Medical Malpractice: Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, or improper treatment can cause or worsen spinal cord injuries. A medical malpractice claim may be pursued against healthcare providers.
- Violent Acts: Acts of violence, including gunshots and assaults, can result in spinal cord injuries. In these cases, a personal injury or criminal lawsuit may be filed.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
The severity of a spinal cord injury can vary greatly depending on where the injury occurs and whether the spinal cord is fully or partially damaged. The extent of the injury will impact both your legal case and the compensation you may receive. Common types of spinal cord injuries include:
- Complete Spinal Cord Injury: In a complete injury, all sensation and motor function below the site of the injury are lost. This can result in paralysis, either paraplegia (affecting the lower limbs) or quadriplegia (affecting all four limbs).
- Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: In an incomplete injury, some sensory or motor function below the site of the injury remains. While there may be some mobility or sensation, the impact on daily life can still be profound.
- Paralysis: Paralysis resulting from spinal cord injuries can be partial or full, temporary or permanent, and may affect different parts of the body depending on the location of the injury along the spine.
Long-Term Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries have lifelong consequences. In addition to physical impairments, they often lead to emotional and psychological challenges. Victims may experience:
- Chronic Pain: Nerve damage often results in severe and lasting pain, which can be difficult to manage.
- Depression and Anxiety: The emotional toll of losing mobility and independence can lead to mental health issues.
- Reduced Quality of Life: Simple tasks such as dressing, bathing, or moving around may require assistance, drastically altering a person’s lifestyle.
- Financial Strain: The costs of medical treatment, home care, and rehabilitation can add up quickly, putting a significant financial burden on victims and their families.
How to Choose the Right Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Selecting the right attorney can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case. Here are a few key factors to consider:
1. Experience with Spinal Cord Injury Cases
Make sure the attorney has specific experience handling spinal cord injury cases. These cases require a deep understanding of both medical and legal issues, as well as familiarity with long-term care needs.
2. Track Record of Success
Choose an attorney with a proven history of securing substantial compensation for clients. Ask about their previous case results and settlements related to spinal cord injuries.
3. Resources
Spinal cord injury cases often require expert testimony from medical professionals, accident reconstruction specialists, and life-care planners. Make sure your attorney has the resources to hire these experts.
4. Compassion and Communication
Spinal cord injuries take an emotional toll, so it’s important to choose an attorney who is not only skilled but also compassionate. They should keep you informed throughout the legal process and be available to answer any questions you have.
5. Contingency Fees
Most spinal cord injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. This allows victims to pursue justice without worrying about upfront legal costs.
Conclusion
A spinal cord injury can change your life in an instant, but with the help of an experienced spinal cord injury attorney, you can seek the compensation you need to cope with your new reality. From negotiating with insurance companies to litigating in court, a lawyer will be your advocate every step of the way.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, don’t wait to seek legal help. A dedicated attorney can help you secure the resources necessary for medical care, rehabilitation, and a better quality of life moving forward.