Compensation Available After A Spinal Cord Injury

Not many people realize how catastrophic the aftermath of a spinal cord injury will be unless they experience it. Because of their traumatic nature, spinal cord injuries often greatly impact the lives of injured individuals. The reality is that people who have suffered pain due to another person’s failure to take proper care should not have to face the financial struggles that come with severe injuries alone.

If you have suffered a spinal cord injury due to the negligence of another, you may be able to file a claim to obtain compensation for your injuries and losses.

What is compensation?

Defendants pay compensation as a way to remedy wrongdoing against a plaintiff. Its purpose is to aid an injured person’s life returning to where it was before the injury occurred. Although money cannot replace the pain that an injured person has suffered, it can make things easier. For example, rehabilitation after an injury is many times necessary and for some victims only attainable if they recover damages.

How do spinal cord injuries occur?

Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States. In fact, auto and motorcycle accidents account for almost half of all new spinal cord injuries each year. Falls are the second most common cause of spinal cord injuries.

The effects of spinal cord injuries

Spinal cord injuries have the potential to cause devastating injuries in other parts of the body. Some of these injuries will be a life-long struggle. Spinal cord injury effects include:

Bladder

After a spinal cord injury, the bladder may be affected as the brain may no longer be in complete control of storing urine. Aside from the loss of complete bladder control, changes from a spinal cord injury may also result in urinary tract infections, bladder infections, and kidney stones.

Skin

Depending on the severity of the damage to the nervous tissue, skin sensitivity may decrease. The skin may no longer be able to send a message to the brain when it’s injured by certain things. Having lost sensation in your skin can make you more vulnerable to burns, cuts, bruises, and sores.

Circulatory system

A spinal cord injury may result in low blood pressure and swelling of extremities which can lead to blood clots. Another problem with circulatory control is a rise in blood pressure which is potentially life-threatening.

Respiratory system

If your spinal cord injury affected your abdominal and chest muscles, you may have difficulty breathing correctly and trouble coughing. There is also a chance of an increased risk of pneumonia and other lung problems.

Sexual health

Sexuality, fertility and sexual function may be affected by a spinal cord injury. For men, there may be changes in erection and ejaculation, and for women, there may be changes in lubrication.

Depression

Dealing with the drastic changes caused by spinal cord injuries has the potential to cause harm to the patient’s emotional and mental health. In some cases, a patient’s mental instability may be enough to require medications or therapy.

The good news is there are rehabilitation programs for all of the effects mentioned; the bad news is they are likely to put a strain on the patient’s finances as these programs are costly. A compensation claim will be helpful to take the necessary steps for your recovery.

How much is my spinal cord injury claim worth?

Every spinal cord injury is unique which means the amount of compensation for each case varies. Multiple factors will need to be considered to determine how much compensation your claim is worth. Contact a Neck and Back Injury Lawyer from The Carlson Law Firm to discuss the specifics of your case. Your attorney will take several factors into consideration:

Medical expenses

Spinal cord injuries can reach upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Not to mention these injuries often require a lifetime of treatment that should also be anticipated. An experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer will understand that covering both past and future medical care is critical to avoid further debt devastation.

Lost wages and loss of earning capacity

Most spinal cord injuries will result in missed time from work. Depending on the severity of the injury, a person may no longer be able to perform tasks their job requires or may be forced to take a lower-paying job. In some cases, the patient may not ever be able to work again. Spinal cord injuries often result in partial or complete loss of wage-earning capacity.

Physical pain and suffering

Aside from the excruciating physical pain that was endured when the injury occurred, long-term physical problems are also a result of spinal cord injuries. A person may have difficulty walking or be confined to a wheelchair. Additionally, complications with bowel and bladder control may arise, as well as sexual dysfunction.

Mental anguish

For some patients, suffering a spinal cord injury has left them wondering if they will become a productive person once again. Patients may feel as if they have lost their independence, which is not easy to accept. Feelings of depression,  sadness and anxiety are normal reactions to the physical changes that may arise from a spinal cord injury.

Loss of consortium and companionship

When it comes to Spinal Cord Injuries, patients are not the only victims. The patient’s spouse suffers greatly from these tragedies and may be able to bring a claim for loss of consortium and companionship. The goal of this type of recovery is to compensate all the losses the person has suffered due to their spouse’s injury. For example, the injured person may no longer be able to help care for their children, help with household chores or contribute financially. This will place a tremendous physical, emotional and psychological burden on the injured person’s partner.

Other factors that a court considers include:

• How the accident happened
• Is there vertebrae or nerve damage
• The type of medical treatment required
• Prescribed medication related to the injury
• The amount of time for injury treatment
• The amount of time the recovery process is
• If there is permanent stiffness, scarring or loss of mobility
• The effects on your daily life

A Neck and Back Injury Lawyer is essential in recovering fair compensation

Since most spinal cord injury claims are based on negligence, you will need proof to determine who is responsible. A qualified Neck and Back Injury Lawyer is needed to navigate the legal system and prove liability. You should also consider that the defendant’s insurance company will do everything in their power to pay you as little as possible. An experienced attorney from The Carlson Law Firm has the knowledge and skills to overcome the insurance company’s tactics to get you a fair settlement.

A skillful Neck and Back Injury Lawyer will work closely with you. By getting to know your daily life routines and family, we will be able to fully tell your story in a courtroom and get you the compensation to cover your losses. This is important to ensure you get the long-term help you need and deserve for a successful recovery process.

How The Carlson Law Firm can help

If you or a loved one have suffered a spinal cord injury due to the negligence of another, it is in your best interest to seek legal guidance. Here at The Carlson Law Firm, we have a team of compassionate attorneys, on-staff nurses and private investigators ready to heavily invest in your case. We have been helping personal injury victims in pursuing maximum compensation for over 40 years. Contact us today for free consultation. We will ensure you get the medical treatment required for your recovery and we will take care of filing paperwork and dealing with the insurance company. We care, we can help.

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