The forces involved in a fall or a traffic crash can cause severe trauma to anyone involved. One of the most devastating injuries is damage to the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can lead to paralysis, nerve pain, and a variety of other serious conditions.
If a negligent person is responsible for your spinal cord injury, you have the right to file a suit against them to recover substantial monetary compensation.
Our team of experienced injury attorneys will advise and assist you with your claim. If you have questions about how to maximize your financial recovery, discussing your options with one of our Columbus spinal cord injury lawyers can help you understand the best way to proceed.
Common Causes of Spinal Damage
The spinal cord is a long series of nerves protected by the bones of the spinal column and runs from the base of the hips to the stem of the brain. Any traumatic force can damage both the bones and the spinal cord within. Common causes of spinal injuries involve trauma to the head, neck, or back. Harm to the spinal cord could also result from:
Anyone that sustains a spinal cord injury that was caused by another’s negligence can pursue compensation for their injuries with the help of our attorneys. This compensation can make a substantial difference in the quality of your life.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
The spine is a vital part of the body that provides communication from the brain, acting as a highway between the central nervous system and all other systems in the body. The spine is sensitive, however, and any slight damage can cause irreparable harm.
It is broken up into different sections that each has its own function and connects to different parts of the body. To injure one of these sections, even slightly, can be catastrophic.
The risk of being in an accident that damages the spine is extremely high and the degree of damage depends on the type of spinal injury that has occurred. Injuries could be the result of a
slip and fall accident, car accident or
workplace injury.
There are two categories that most spinal cord injuries fall under:
Incomplete
This occurs when the spine is injured, but there is still some response from the parts of the body below the injury. There is still feeling and sensation present in the area that was injured and you are able to move.
Complete
This categorizes the more severe of spinal cord injuries. Those who are suffering from a complete injury will experience permanent damage. All feeling and sensation below the injured area has been lost, and you are unable to move the affected site. This type of injury is absolute and cannot be fixed. If you are experiencing a complete spinal cord injury, you will need extensive medical treatment.
Treatment for these types of injuries can be costly and may require long-term care. Because most individuals do not have the financial resources to cover these types of costs, it is vital that you receive the maximum compensation you need from your personal injury claim.
The Columbus spinal cord injury attorneys at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy have more than 200 years of combined legal experience fighting for our clients to ensure that they can pay for the medical treatment they need. Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation to learn more about how we can help you.
Types of Compensation Available in a Back Injury Claim
Our team of lawyers in Columbus will help you seek monetary compensation if you suffered trauma to your spinal cord. A successful claim will help you meet your financial obligations while paying for necessary medical treatment. Some examples of compensation in a spinal cord injury claim include:
Lost Wages and Disability
Spinal cord injuries make it difficult to work, especially in cases that result in paralysis. For many, their spinal cord injuries prevent them from ever returning to the field they worked in before the accident, and some never return to the workforce. A successful injury claim can make up for the income lost due to disability.
Lost wages compensation could be available not only for missed paychecks right after the accident but for the rest of an injured person’s life. Likewise, a person that returns to the workforce at a lower-paying position due to the spinal injury can seek compensation to make up the difference.
Medical Costs
Treating spinal cord injuries is expensive as they require extensive physical therapy. In addition to therapy, there are other expenses related to emergency medical treatment and follow-up care. A successful claim could cover the cost of these and future relating treatments.
Physical Pain and Suffering
The physical pain and emotional suffering involved in suffering such a traumatic injury may stay with a person for many years. The stress resulting from this is known as mental anguish. Victims can attempt to recover mental anguish compensation from the person responsible for the injury.
Loss of Consortium
Loss of consortium has two main elements, the first being physical labor that the injured person can no longer do. This includes childcare, household cleaning and maintenance, and yard work. Possible damages would allow for the family to hire professionals who can take over these tasks, such as a nanny, landscapers, and/or house cleaners.
Loss of consortium can also compensate injured people and their families for the change in companionship. Someone with a spinal cord injury may lose their ability or desire to travel or spend time outside, either because of pain, hassle, or any number of other barriers. The person with the back injury may also struggle with intimacy and other forms of affection with their romantic partner, which can significantly change relationships.
Family Members as Paid Caregivers
If someone’s spinal cord injury is severe enough to require daily visits from a professional caregiver, a family member may be able to earn payment to perform those tasks in the professional’s place. For example, a nurse can train the injured party’s spouse to assist them with hygiene, eating, and other tasks they may struggle to complete on their own. Compensation awarded in a successful spinal injury claim could pay that family member a salary to care for their loved one, since they may not be able to work while doing so.
Get in Touch with a Columbus Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
It is possible to recover the monetary damages that resulted from your spinal cord injury. Help from our experienced team of attorneys could increase your chances of recovery significantly.
Your attorney will carefully review your claim, investigate the cause of your injury, and identify the responsible party. To get started,
contact our Columbus spinal cord injury lawyers right away.
