Spinal cord injuries cause thousands of people to become disabled each year from either partial or complete paralysis. In some cases, a spinal cord injury can be fatal. People who survive this type of injury may need expensive ongoing care for the rest of their lives.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur because of certain diseases, such as cancer or arthritis. Many, however, happen as a result of a traumatic event caused by someone else’s negligence. If this is the case, a spinal injury attorney can serve as your advocate and help represent you in dealings with insurance companies and in a possible legal action.
Causes of spinal cord injuries include the following:
- Motor vehicle accident
- Assault, including gunshot or knife wounds
- Falls
- Sports and recreation activities
- Medical malpractice
Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
You may experience some of the following symptoms as a result of a spinal cord injury:
- Paralysis
- Weakness, numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation
- Pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Changes in sexual function or fertility
In some cases, the full extent of your injury may not be immediately evident. Some symptoms, such as numbness or paralysis, may only occur after some time has passed and bleeding or swelling occurs in or around the spinal cord.
Proving a Spinal Cord Injury Case
If you or a loved one have been the victim of a spiral cord injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact a spinal cord injury attorney. He or she can look at the elements of your case and advise you on the possibility of legal action. You may be able to bring a wrongful death suit if your loved one died as a result of a spinal cord injury, or a personal injury lawsuit if you were injured. Essentially, you’ll need to prove the following:
- That you were owed a duty of care by the defendant
- That you suffered a spinal cord injury
- That your injury was a direct result of the defendant’s failure to uphold his or her duty of care
Damages That Often Apply in Spinal Cord Injury Cases
If you and your spinal cord injury attorney can prove your case, you may be able to receive damages to compensate you for the following:
- Medical bills, including long-term rehabilitation therapy treatment, psychological counseling, and other treatment
- Lost wages, including those in the future
- Ongoing care and support services, including the help of a caregiver at home
- Assistive devices such as a motorized wheelchair
- Necessary modifications to your home, such as wheelchair ramps and stair lifts
- Pain and suffering
If your case involves the wrongful death of a loved one, you may be able to receive damages that include the following:
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses incurred before their death
The cost of this type of injury can be substantial, and a spinal cord injury attorney can help you determine if you have a case against a person and/or company. He or she can represent you in any legal action, including out-of-court settlements or in a lawsuit.