If you or a loved one sustained a back and spinal cord injury in a Kenner, LA, traffic accident, you might have a case against the driver who caused the collision. In addition, you may be able to secure compensation for your damages through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
A Kenner back and spinal cord injury lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can handle this entire process for you. Our team offers complimentary case reviews for accident victims and their family members. You can reach us today to learn more about your rights and legal options.
Types of Accidents that Can Lead to Spinal Cord Injuries
Accidents have the potential to inflict devastating spinal cord injuries on victims. The spinal cord is vulnerable to trauma when the body experiences sudden and forceful impacts or excessive bending.
In motor vehicle accidents, for instance, the violent jolts from collisions can lead to vertebral fractures or dislocations, which may, in turn, damage the spinal cord. Common accidents that can result in spinal cord injuries include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Boating accidents
Our Attorneys May Be Able to Help You Hold the Responsible Party Liable
If you work with a back and spinal cord injury lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers on your Kenner car accident case, we will handle every step of the process on your behalf. This includes:
- Investigating the collision
- Assigning liability
- Submitting a claim that demands an appropriate settlement based on your damages
Our law firm has a network of experts we partner with who understand back and spinal cord injuries. This includes injuries with paralysis, long-term disability, chronic pain, more. Whether you have pain and limited range of motion or catastrophic injuries, these specialists can help us prove your:
- Prognosis
- Future and ongoing medical care needs
- The losses and expenses associated with your injuries today and in the future
We also work with accident reconstruction experts who could provide us with proof of negligence and liability to use in your case. They will use surveys of the scene, the crash report, and other evidence to re-create what happened.
Paying for Legal Representation for Your Kenner, LA, Claim
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers represents our clients based on a contingency fee. You will not need to pay a retainer or other upfront costs for our representation and legal services.
Our team provides the financial and legal resources to build and file your Kenner back and spinal cord injury case. We only receive attorney’s fees from the compensation we recover for you. If we do not recover money for you, we do not charge you attorney’s fees.
Recoverable Damages in a Kenner Spinal Cord Injuries Case
After we file a claim and demand payment from the at-fault motorist’s insurance company, they may engage with us in settlement negotiations. This back-and-forth could take time, but it can result in settlement for our client.
Our attorneys will work hard to resolve your case at this stage, and you will always retain the right to accept or reject any settlement offer we receive on your behalf. If the insurer does not admit their policyholder is liable or provide a fair settlement, we can prepare to fight for your compensation at trial.
Various Types of Damages Can Be Awarded in Back and Spinal Cord Injury Cases
A fair settlement or court award may compensate you for your damages based on the value we put on your recoverable losses. Damages we commonly recover include:
- Economic expenses: These expenses are the actual costs our clients paid due to the accident, including medical bills, car repairs, out-of-pocket expenses, renovating their home for access, and more.
- Economic losses: These are the financial losses caused by a traffic accident and may include lost wages, benefits, and other types of income.
- Future expenses and losses: We may use medical and economic experts to help us put a price on our clients’ future care needs, future lost income, and other future financial impacts related to their injuries.
- Non-economic damages: Non-economic damages compensate victims for intangible losses, such as physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.
Wrongful Death Damages
If your loved one passed away from a fatal back or spinal cord injury, please accept our condolences. We will do what we can to help you through this tough time. You may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the party who caused their accident. CC Art. 2315.2 details which surviving family members can file this type of lawsuit. This may include:
- The surviving spouse
- Surviving children, minor or adult
- Surviving parents
In a wrongful death case, recoverable damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral costs
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of income
Spinal Cord Injuries Often Require Costly Treatments and Care
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), car accidents are the top cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States. Spinal cord injuries can occur anywhere along the spinal cord and affect the victim in various ways.
According to Mayo Clinic, medical care professionals classify spinal cord injuries as:
- Complete: No feeling or motor control remains below the site of injury.
- Incomplete: Some feeling or motor control is still possible below the site of injury.
Depending on their location and severity, spinal cord injuries may require:
- Emergency stabilization
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Inpatient rehabilitation
- Ongoing therapy and support
The outcome of spinal cord injuries varies widely. Some victims recover fully, while others have permanent partial paralysis or impairments. Some recover enough to go back to work and enjoy a variety of physical activities. Others live independently but have limitations and may require assistance for some activities.
Those with complete injuries in their cervical spine generally have the most concerns about their survival, care, and quality of life. Some may require around-the-clock support and placement in a long-term care facility.
Modern adaptive equipment and mobility tools make it easier than ever to remain active despite a serious spinal cord injury. However, the costs add up quickly. Examples include:
- Electric wheelchairs
- Stairlifts
- Other lifts and similar devices
- Widening doorways and building ramps at home
- Retrofitting a vehicle for a wheelchair and/ or hand controls
Do not forget to mention these expenses to your attorney – they are likely recoverable as a part of your accident claim or lawsuit.
The Statute of Limitations on Legal Action in Kenner, LA
Strict deadlines apply to a car accident lawsuit in Louisiana. In general, CC Art. 3492 mandates that we must prepare and submit our initial documents in a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident. When it comes to wrongful death lawsuits, CC Art. 2315.2 generally gives victims two years from the date of their loved one’s death to sue, as well.
Missing a deadline could mean losing the right to go to trial. The court could bar your case, preventing your financial recovery. Under some circumstances, you could have less than two years to get started. This is true when the Jefferson Parish government or another government agency is the liable party.
You can connect with our law firm as soon as your injuries are stable or call us on behalf of your loved one undergoing treatment. We need to ensure you meet the mandated timeline to protect your rights.
Speak with Us Today About Your Kenner Back and Spinal Cord Injury
If you qualify, a Kenner back and spinal cord injury lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can build your case and seek compensation for your damages. Together, we could hold the driver who caused your accident accountable.
Reach out to our team today for your free consultation. We can assess your case and discuss your next possible steps during this call: (504) 777-7777.
