Spinal cord injuries can be devastating and life-altering, impacting not only your physical abilities but also your emotional well-being and financial stability. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve experienced legal representation to fight for your rights and secure the compensation you need.
At O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, our Cincinnati spinal cord injury lawyer is ready to help you seek justice and recovery. With over 200 years of combined legal experience, tens of millions recovered on behalf of injury victims, and a commitment to compassionate client care, our team is here to stand by your side. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your claim and learn how we can assist you.
Cincinnati Spinal Cord Injury Guide
- Why Choose O’Connor, Acciani & Levy for Your Cincinnati Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
- Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
- Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
- Symptoms Of Back Trauma
- Do I Have a Spinal Cord Injury Case in Cincinnati?
- The Insurance Company Made Me an Offer. Should I Take It?
- Compensation Available to Spinal Cord Injury Victims in Cincinnati
- Cincinnati Spinal Cord Injury Claim FAQs
- Contact the Cincinnati Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy Today
Why Choose O’Connor, Acciani & Levy for Your Cincinnati Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
Choosing the right lawyer can make all the difference in the success of your spinal cord injury claim. At O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, we understand the challenges faced by spinal cord injury survivors and their families. Here’s why you can trust us with your case:
- Proven Success: Our firm has secured tens of millions in compensation for clients, including those with catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage.
- No Fees Unless You Win: We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and only pay us if we successfully recover compensation for you.
- Personalized Attention: Each client and case is unique. We take the time to understand your specific needs and craft a legal strategy tailored to your situation.
- Comprehensive Support: We handle every aspect of your claim, from gathering evidence and communicating with insurance companies to keeping you informed throughout the process.
- Decades of Experience: With more than two decades of dedication to the Cincinnati community and 200+ years of combined legal experience, we know how to stand up against big insurance companies.
When you choose O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, you gain a team of committed professionals who will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and help you move forward.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating injuries a person can suffer. Even less severe injuries can lead to long-term and possibly lifelong health problems. These injuries are particularly tragic when they are caused by someone else and could have been avoided.
Spinal cord injuries can be caused by a sudden traumatic event or accident, or from repetitive activities that gradually cause spinal trauma. Some of the common causes of these injuries due to another person or party’s negligence include:
- Car accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Sports injuries
- Birth injuries
- Surgical malpractice
- On-the-job injuries
- Violence
- Defective products
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is such a vital part of the body that even minor damage can cause painful injuries that limit mobility and affect your ability to perform everyday activities. Common spinal cord injuries include:
- Anterior Cord Syndrome
- Central Cord Syndrome
- Posterior Cord Syndrome
- Brown-Sequard Syndrome
- Individual nerve trauma
- Spinal contusion
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Herniated discs
- Fractures
- Sprains
- Strains
- Vertebral subluxation
It is unlikely that a serious spine injury will heal on its own. In many cases of spinal damage, the victim will suffer some form of permanent disability. However, it is possible in rare cases for nerves to regrow and allow a person to regain lost mobility. An experienced Cincinnati attorney could help with communicating the full extent of one's spinal cord injury and seeking compensation for setbacks.
Symptoms Of Back Trauma
A spine injury can cause a variety of symptoms, including back or chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness, and bowel problems. Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following conditions:
- Intense pain or pressure in the back, head or neck
- Weakness or loss of sensation in any area of the body
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Tingling or numbness in the extremities
- Loss of bladder and/or bowel control
If you are not experiencing symptoms but are concerned that you suffered a spinal cord injury, you should seek treatment anyway. Delayed onset of symptoms, such as numbness and paralysis, is known to happen as the area around the injury continues swelling or bleeding. Additionally, any delay in obtaining treatment could increase your risk of developing permanent symptoms or disabilities.
After getting treatment for a spinal cord injury, contact our Cincinnati lawyers to discuss what happened. You may be able to pursue compensation through a spinal cord injury lawsuit against the negligent individuals or entities that caused your injury.
Do I Have a Spinal Cord Injury Case in Cincinnati?
To win a spinal cord injury case, you must prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. Negligence occurs when a person or business fails to act with the level of care that a reasonable person would have exercised in a similar situation, resulting in harm to others.
For example, a distracted driver who causes a car accident, a property owner who fails to fix dangerous conditions, or a medical professional who makes a critical error may all be held liable under negligence laws.
To establish negligence and prove your spinal cord injury claim, you generally need to demonstrate these four elements:
- Duty of Care: The defendant owed you a duty of care. For instance, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and drive safely, while property owners must maintain safe premises.
- Breach of Duty: The defendant violated that duty by acting carelessly or failing to act reasonably under the circumstances.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your spinal cord injury. This means proving a clear link between the defendant’s actions and the harm you suffered.
- Damages: You suffered losses—such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering—as a result of the injury.
Our experienced Cincinnati catastrophic injury attorneys can investigate your case, gather evidence to prove these elements, and build a strong argument on your behalf. Even if you’re unsure whether you have a valid claim, contact us for a free consultation to explore your options. O’Connor, Acciani & Levy are the attorneys you know and trust.
The Insurance Company Made Me an Offer. Should I Take It?
When the bills are piling up, a quick settlement may seem tempting. However, accepting the first offer from an insurance company is rarely in your best interest. Insurance companies are businesses, and their goal is to pay you as little as possible—even if it means leaving you without the resources you need to rebuild your life.
Common tactics used by insurance companies include:
- Lowball Offers: Offering an amount far below what your case is truly worth, hoping you'll accept without consulting an attorney.
- Blame-Shifting: Claiming you were fully or partially to blame for the accident to reduce their payout.
- Delay Tactics: Dragging out the claim process to pressure you into accepting a lower settlement out of desperation.
- Minimizing Your Injuries: Questioning the severity of your injuries or demanding excessive documentation to delay or deny your claim.
Before accepting any settlement offer, it’s essential to consult with a knowledgeable spinal cord injury lawyer. At O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, we can review your case, evaluate the value of your claim, and negotiate aggressively with the insurance company to seek a fair and just settlement.
Compensation Available to Spinal Cord Injury Victims in Cincinnati
Spinal cord injuries can lead to long-term or permanent challenges, from partial paralysis to complete loss of mobility. The financial and emotional toll can be overwhelming, but a successful claim can provide critical compensation to help you move forward.
Depending on the circumstances of your case and the severity of your injuries, compensation may include:
- Medical Expenses: This covers hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, and future medical needs.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income and diminished earning potential.
- Pain and Suffering: This accounts for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injury.
- Home Modifications: Funds to adapt your home for wheelchair accessibility or other mobility needs.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the reduced ability to engage in activities or hobbies you once enjoyed.
- Punitive Damages: In cases involving egregious negligence or intentional harm, additional compensation may be awarded to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior.
Our attorneys understand how to calculate the full value of your claim, including both economic and non-economic damages, and won’t settle for less than what you deserve.
Cincinnati Spinal Cord Injury Claim FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions regarding spinal cord injury claims:
How much does a personal injury attorney cost?
At O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs, and our fees come from a percentage of your recovery. If we don’t recover compensation in your case, you owe us no attorney’s fees. This structure allows you to pursue justice without worrying about financial risk.
What if I’m partly to blame for the accident?
Even if you share some responsibility for your injury, you may still be entitled to compensation under Ohio’s comparative negligence law. Your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found to be 20% at fault, you can recover 80% of the damages. Our lawyers can help minimize your liability and maximize your recovery.
What is the statute of limitations for spinal cord injury claims in Cincinnati?
Ohio typically allows injury victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to meet this deadline can result in losing your right to compensation. However, exceptions may apply based on the details of your case. Contact us as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed on time.
How long will my spinal cord injury case take?
The timeline for resolving a spinal cord injury case can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of your injuries, and the willingness of the insurance company to negotiate. Some cases may settle within months, while others may take longer if litigation becomes necessary. Our attorneys will work diligently to resolve your case as quickly and effectively as possible.
Why do I need a lawyer for my personal injury case?
Handling a personal injury case alone can put you at a disadvantage. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys working to protect their profits—not your interests. Hiring an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer ensures you have an advocate who knows how to tackle the challenges of the case and fight for maximum compensation.
Contact the Cincinnati Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy Today
Spinal cord injuries are among the most life-altering injuries a person can experience. But you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. The legal team at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy is here to help you hold negligent parties accountable and secure the financial resources you need to rebuild your life.
Here’s how we can assist you:
- Investigating the accident to determine fault and gather critical evidence.
- Communicating with insurance companies and defending against their tactics.
- Calculating the true value of your claim to include all current and future damages.
- Advocating for your rights every step of the way, whether in negotiations or court.
Don’t wait to take action. Contact O’Connor, Acciani & Levy today at (513) 224-5461 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our experienced Cincinnati personal injury attorney is ready to fight for you, and we don’t get paid attorney’s fees unless you win.
