Spinal Cord Injury and Personal Injury Compensation

Should a spinal cord injury be the result of negligence, victims do have the legal right to compensation for their spinal cord injury and associated damages. However, pursuing these legal rights will require the intervention and representation of a personal injury lawyer with experience in handling claims arising from spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries, contrary to a large body of personal injury law, often cause catastrophic and lifelong physical and medical issues for victims. Commonly, the ability to recover from spinal cord injuries is not relatively well-know immediately following an accident, sometimes even months following an injury. Furthermore, from a legal perspective, the complex nature of spinal cord injuries and the related medical complications will require expert witness testimony regarding the status of a victim, as well regarding the potential recovery (in a physical sense) that a victim may be able to achieve.

Compensation Available to Victims of Spinal Cord Injuries

Should a victim be able to prove negligence as the proximate cause of their injuries, the victim is afforded legal rights to collect compensation for their injuries and other damages. Nevertheless, what constitutes damages, and more importantly, what are damages specific to spinal cord injuries? The following lists some of most notable economic (special) damages commonly seen in spinal cord injuries:

Medical costs, including emergency medical treatment, post-acute care, costs of hospitalizations, surgeries, and post-operative care, which depending on the individual case, may include the need for medical surgeries and procedures well into the future

Future and current rehabilitative care and therapy

Cost of making arrangements for seeking medical treatment or rehabilitative therapy, such as transportation costs and childcare expenses

Lost income as the result of a spinal cord injury, including considerations for future lost income should a spinal cord injury present long-term complications to a victim’s ability to earn a living, which is often the case

Costs of renovating a household or one’s lifestyle to meet their current disability needs, which may include considerations for long-term disability needs of a victim in certain cases of spinal cord injuries

Furthermore, victims are afforded the legal right to make compensation claims for non-economic (general) damages, which may include:

Physical pain and suffering from injuries

Mental anguish, emotional distress, and other psychological considerations

Disability, loss of mobility, or disfigurement in a victim, with considerations for the expected length and extent of each

Lowered quality of life

Getting Legal Help with Spinal Cord Injury Compensation Claims

As a victim, only the use of legal counsel with experience in handling personal injury claims arising from spinal cord injuries will produce a favorable outcome. Often in the case of spinal cord injury victims, their ability to meet financial obligations following a spinal cord injury may be hampered for life. Furthermore, the medical costs and rehabilitative care related to treating spinal cord injuries may also be a lifelong consideration for victims. With the help of an attorney, victims can ensure their financial interests are addressed, both in the short and long term, through any settlement agreement or trial award.

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