Demanding Compensation for Spinal Injury Caused by Negligence

Spinal cord injuries can be among the most debilitating personal injury accidents a person can suffer. With over 11,000 such injuries every year in this county, there are established processes for determining if someone else is liable for a victim’s spinal injury, and how much compensation the victim deserves.

Types of Spinal Injuries

There are two basic types of spinal injuries: complete and incomplete. Both can be debilitating, and both can result in years of treatment, rehabilitation, and in many cases, permanent disability.

Complete spinal cord injuries result in permanent loss of nerve and motor function. They may affect the lower extremities, the upper extremities, the trunk, or the bodily functions.

Incomplete spinal cord injuries usually result in some permanent loss of nerve and motor function, but it may not cause the victim to lose all function in their extremities. In many cases, there is temporary complete paralysis, but as the spinal cord heals, some function or feeling may return.

Causes of Spinal Injuries

Spinal injuries can be caused by a number of reasons, including:

Trauma

Tumors

Interruption of blood flow to the spinal area

Developmental disorders

Disease

Trauma is a common source of spinal injuries, and may often be the result of someone else’s negligence. The most common reason such an injury may occur is an automobile accident; however, premises liability, product liability, and personal injury are also common.

Filing a Negligence Claim

When a victim’s spinal injury is caused by the negligence of another person, they generally have the right to file a claim to receive compensation for their medical costs (including rehabilitation), pain and suffering, loss of income, and in some instances, even punitive damages. The key is to determine that someone else was liable for the injury. That can come in various forms:

Premises liability – if the owner or manager of property caused or did not repair or warn of a dangerous condition in a reasonable manner, resulting in the injury

Product liability – if a product manufacturer, retailer, or marketer produced or failed to warn of the dangers of a product that caused an injury

Personal liability – if another person acted negligently, either on the road or in personal contact, causing the injury accident

Medical malpractice – if a medical professional failed to diagnose or treat a problem with reasonable skill or attention, resulting in greater injury, disease, or damage

Getting Legal Help with Compensation for Spinal Injuries

There can be many causes for spinal injuries, and many of those suffering this personal injury become either partially or totally disabled as a result. These are expensive injuries that are often extremely costly to the victim and their family. It can be vital to obtain compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. However, when large sums of money are involved, it can be vital to have the expertise of a spinal injury lawyer on hand to ensure the victim demands, and receives, the compensation they deserve.

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