It is necessary to have someone by your side if you’ve had a spinal cord injury that forces you to change the course of your life. Choosing who to rely on is, of course, the tricky part. In the United States, many lawyers are working on spinal cord injury cases. These professionals may differ substantially in terms of expertise, knowledge, experience, level of dedication toward their clients, and readiness to face trial.
Unlike other occupations, the law does not require residencies, forced internships, or state-mandated credentials. This means that anyone with a law license can present themselves as a spinal injury lawyer, regardless of their expertise, competence, or legal reputation. Hence, choosing the first lawyer you find online when dealing with a catastrophic injury is nearly always a mistake. Though referrals might be beneficial, a well-wisher can only tell you so much about the expertise and skill that the attorney you employ has. When your life and money are at stake, it’s worth your time to conduct some research before meeting the lawyers.
Most trial lawyers specialize in one area of the law. They only litigate matters in a few areas similar to their field of expertise. Still, an attorney who practices in many areas simply lacks the specific knowledge required to comprehend the complexities of personal injury law. If you’re looking for a Spinal Injury Lawyer, make sure the firm or lawyer you’re considering is an expert in the field.
Some Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
When the spinal cord is damaged, the backbone’s bundle of nerves that transmit messages to the brain is compromised. Due to this, the person who had this injury may now have a partial or complete loss of motor control and feeling.
Over 250,000 Americans are living with a spinal cord injury. More than 20,000 new SCI cases are diagnosed each year. Following are the usual causes ways of spinal injuries:
- Car Accidents
- Falls and Workplace Accidents
- Assault and Violence
- Sports Injuries
Accidents can also occur during potentially harmful surgical procedures. If this is the case, the medical center will be liable for its error. Your attorney can help you figure out who is to blame for your condition in such cases. People who are at fault are responsible for you and the situation they have put you in.
Types of Spinal Injuries
There are two common types of SCIs; complete and incomplete. An incomplete spinal cord injury is when some feeling or movement remains below the point of injury. In contrast, a complete spinal cord injury is one in which all function is lost below the point of injury.
The extent and severity of incomplete injuries can vary greatly, with the injury site having a significant impact on the following symptoms. The following are the most common complications associated with an incomplete SCI:
- Anterior Cord Syndrome
- Central Cord Syndrome
- Posterior Cord Syndrome
- Brown-Sequard Syndrome
A doctor performing a physical examination can often tell where an injury has occurred on the spine based on the symptoms it produces. They have divided the anatomy of the spinal cord into five sections. These are:
- Cervical
- Thoracic
- Lumbar
- Sacral
- Coccygeal
When complete spinal cord damage occurs, multiple types of paralysis might ensue depending on which of these portions is injured. When there is a complete SCI at the cervical part of the spine, for example, Quadriplegia (also known as Tetraplegia) occurs when all four limbs lose function. Meanwhile, a spinal cord lesion in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral sections causes paraplegia or the loss of leg function.
How a Spinal Injury Can Be Life-Altering
Spinal injuries can result in a variety of problems. It may be challenging to pursue hobbies that you formerly enjoyed. Routines are frequently disrupted. Adjustments must be made to accommodate your injury—simple tasks like making coffee or running errands are increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to do. A spinal injury might have long-term consequences on your life expectancy.
Life expectancy is decreasing for a variety of reasons. Those suffering from a spinal injury also face various other health issues like:
- Difficulty breathing
- Impaired digestion
- Loss of motor and sensory control
- Depression
You can, however, live significantly longer than the average person with the right help and medicines. Unfortunately, such medicines are costly to maintain, costing on average millions of dollars.
The Effects of a Spinal Injury on Your Financial Status
Without proper care, living with a significant and life-altering spinal injury is painful and costly, both money and time. As you may already know, a spinal injury can shorten your life expectancy. Obtaining the proper care is the best method to combat this, but it will be costly. A recent survey shows how much of a drain a spinal injury can be on individuals and families. Those who have had any motor function impairment, for example, should expect to pay the least amount, which is still well over millions of dollars.
Because treatments and continuous care are expensive, costs for more severe accidents that result in a person being paraplegic or tetraplegic increase. You will be expected to pay more throughout your life if you are younger during your injury. Consider the case of a mid-aged high tetraplegic. Treatments and ongoing care for their ailment can cost millions of dollars during their lifespan. Spending the proper amount of money for your health is expensive and can easily lead to debt. This is something you can overcome! Seeking the services of an SCI lawyer can significantly improve your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
The Proper Steps to Take After a Spinal Cord Injury
A catastrophic brain injury or spinal cord damage can drastically alter your life. You face increasing debts, medical expenses, and other financial worries, not to forget the uncertainty of whether you will ever be able to work again. Many people in your situation are recommended to see a spinal cord injury lawyer about filing a spinal cord injury lawsuit. Survivors with spinal cord injuries may encounter a range of different legal difficulties, including discrimination due to their injuries, and may wish to see an attorney about their options.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
Millions of people are believed to be disabled due to spinal cord injury. These survivors confront an uphill battle to reclaim their freedom, have employers treat them decently, and locate doctors who respect their needs and wants. The treatment for SCI can be extremely costly, and if someone else is to blame for your damage, that person should be held liable for your costs. If you’ve had a brain injury, don’t make the mistake of thinking that hiring a lawyer means you’re being greedy.
You could also be eligible for help if you were the victim of prejudice or if a risky product caused your injuries. This is when you should seek the help of a spine injury lawyer.
How to Know if You’re Eligible to File a Case
If you were harmed in an accident, such as a car accident, a bicycle accident, a watercraft accident, or even an amusement park accident, you should seek legal advice. Even if it appears that no one is to blame for your injuries, everything from faulty brakes to careless machine operation could make one or more parties responsible.
You may have a legal case if someone else injures you on intent or due to gross negligence. A bar patron who accidentally attacks you in a fight, a gun owner who mistakenly shoots you, or a car who hits you, will be held accountable for any damage you sustain.
To prove blame and receive compensation for your spinal cord injury, you will need legal assistance from a personal injury attorney specializing in this type of litigation.
Find A SCI Attorney Who Can Help
Spinal cord injuries can impede a victim’s ability to work, socialize, and pay for necessary medical treatment, whether caused by a vehicle accident, medical malpractice, or another type of damage. Spinal cord attorneys are dedicated to holding those responsible for our client’s injuries to account. Suppose you have suffered spinal cord damage and require compensation to recover. In that case, these professionals may be able to assist you in launching a personal injury action against the responsible party.
Remember that a spinal cord injury case is usually measured in years rather than months. When all parties involved can reach an equitable arrangement, certain cases can be handled swiftly. However, certain situations may take longer due to discussions or poor faith in insurance providers. Having a compassionate, knowledgeable, and experienced spinal cord injury attorney on your side could be the difference between receiving the justice and compensation you deserve and simply settling.
A spinal cord injury can have a significant impact on your life. If another party’s negligence caused your harm, you might be entitled to monetary compensation. Don’t try to go through this challenging time on your own. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney for further information about your legal rights.
