According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, around 17,000 new spinal cord injuries occur in the U.S. every year.
Many victims of spinal injuries never fully recover and need assistance functioning normally for the rest of their lives. The aftermath of a spinal cord injury often involves long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and adjustments to a new way of life.
For those who suffer spinal cord injuries due to someone else’s negligence, getting fair compensation is vital to cover current and ongoing medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. A Louisville spinal cord injury lawyer can play a critical role in helping you navigate the complexities of personal injury law and secure the compensation you deserve.
The legal team at Thomas Law Offices is ready to assist with your claim.
The Basics of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious and life-changing injuries a person can experience, often leading to partial or total paralysis, chronic pain, and other significant physical and emotional challenges.
The spinal cord is a vital part of the nervous system, as it transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Any damage to the spinal cord can disrupt this flow of signals, leading to a range of physical impairments and disabilities.
Spinal cord injuries can be classified as either complete or incomplete, depending on the amount of damage that one suffers.
Someone who has a complete spinal cord injury loses all feeling and function below the injury site, while in an incomplete injury, there may remain some sensation or movement. The location of the spinal injury can also affect the severity of damage. Injuries that happen higher up on the spinal cord, like in the cervical region, often cause more widespread paralysis than those injuries that happen lower in the back.
The ongoing damages of a spinal cord injury will vary from injury to injury, but some common trauma can include:
- Partial or total paralysis
- Loss of mobility
- Chronic pain
- Muscle weakness
- Inability to perform basic daily tasks without assistance
Spinal cord injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including multiple surgeries, extensive physical therapy, and long-term care.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can be the result of many types of accidents, and in some cases, they’re caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another person or party.
Some common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents are among the leading causes of spinal cord injuries. The force of a vehicle crash can cause significant trauma to the spinal cord, especially in high-speed collisions or rollovers. These injuries often result from another driver’s negligence, such as speeding, driving while distracted, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Commercial truck accidents can be far more dangerous than car accidents because trucks are so much larger and heavier, creating massive force behind their impacts. Those in passenger vehicles tend to suffer from far more severe injuries when involved in a crash with a truck, including severe back and spinal injuries.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Falls are another common cause of spinal cord injuries, particularly in older adults. Slips, trips, and falls happen in workplaces, public areas, and private property. Property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions. When they fail to do so, they can often be held liable for any injuries due to their negligence.
Workplace Accidents
Certain occupations can carry a higher risk of spinal cord and back injuries; this includes industries like construction, manufacturing, and transportation. Falls from heights, being struck by falling objects, and accidents involving heavy machinery can all lead to spinal cord injuries.
In cases where the workplace injury resulted from unsafe conditions or employer negligence, the injured worker may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit and any workers’ compensation benefits they qualify for. Our Louisville spinal cord injury lawyer will be able to provide you with more information about your legal options.
The Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries
The effects of spinal cord injuries can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life. Beyond the physical limitations that result from the injury, victims often face ongoing emotional, psychological, and financial challenges and difficulties that can persist for years or even the rest of their lives.
Physical Impact
Spinal cord injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis, depending on where and how bad the injury is. Quadriplegia, which is where a victim loses function in all four limbs, can occur when the injury happens higher up the spinal cord. Paraplegia, which is the paralysis of the lower half of the body, tends to result from injuries lower down the spine.
In addition to paralysis, spinal cord injuries can also leave victims with chronic pain, muscle spasms, breathing difficulties, and other complications like infections, blood clots, and pressure sores (bed sores). Managing these issues can mean the need for ongoing medical care, including rehabilitation, medications, and possibly surgeries.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
The sudden and life-altering effect of a spinal cord injury can also lead to significant emotional and psychological impact not only on the victim but their family members as well. Depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness are common as individuals grapple with the reality of their physical limitations and the loss of independence.
Depending on the nature of the injury, victims may suffer from disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well. Psychological counseling and ongoing emotional support are often necessary for the recovery process.
Financial Impact
The financial impact of a spinal cord injury can quickly become overwhelming. Medical expenses for surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and long-term care are expensive. They can quickly add up, often reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars over a lifetime.
Unfortunately, many spinal cord injury victims are also unable to go back to work, which means loss of income and financial instability on top of additional expenses. If someone else’s negligence caused the injury, you and your family have the right to pursue fair compensation for these expenses, lost wages, and other economic and non-economic losses.
However, navigating the legal process can be difficult and frustrating, especially when dealing with trauma and recovery at the same time. This is when seeking the help of an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer becomes crucial.
The Role of a Louisville Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Navigating spinal cord injury cases requires expertise in both law and related medical knowledge.
An experienced lawyer understands the legal and medical aspects of these complex cases and will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
- Investigating the Case: A key role of a spinal cord injury lawyer is to examine the circumstances surrounding your injury. This includes gathering concrete evidence like accident reports, related medical records, witness statements, and consulting with medical experts in the spinal cord field. This comprehensive investigation is essential to build a strong case and prove liability.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies often try to minimize liability and offer “lowball” settlement amounts to victims. Your lawyer is familiar with these tactics and will handle negotiations with insurance companies, fighting to secure a fair settlement that covers the full extent of your damages and losses.
- Litigation: If a fair settlement can’t be reached through negotiations, your case may go to trial. A skilled attorney will be ready and able to present your case in court, demonstrate the extent of your injuries, and prove the defendant’s liability.
Spinal cord injuries often have life-altering consequences that can affect every aspect of your physical, emotional, and financial future. When this happens because of someone else’s negligence, you and your family deserve compensation to help you manage these long-term effects and rebuild your lives.
Thomas Law Offices Is Here to Help
At Thomas Law Offices, our spinal cord injury lawyers can provide the legal expertise and support needed to navigate the complexities of personal injury law and secure the compensation that spinal cord injury victims are entitled to.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, contact us today for a free consultation with a qualified attorney, and let us help you get justice and make sure that your future is protected. Talk to our Louisville spinal cord injury lawyer about your situation.
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