Lafayette Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

As the victim of spinal cord damage caused by another person’s actions, where should you turn? We encourage people who want to pursue a spinal cord injury claim to seek legal representation from a Lafayette spinal cord injury lawyer. 

The legal process can be confusing, particularly for those who aren’t familiar with the ins and outs of personal injury law. With a Lafayette personal injury lawyer on your side, you will have someone who advocates for your rights and keeps your best interests in mind.

With over 350 years of experience and more than $1 billion recovered in damages, Laborde Earles is here to help.

Damages a Lafayette Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Might Be Able to Recover for You

In personal injury cases, damages refer to the financial compensation a victim may receive due to the harm they suffered because of someone else’s decisions. Damages are intended to restore the injured party to the condition they were in before the accident.

In spinal cord injury cases, the impact of the damage can result in both immediate and long-term consequences that affect the victim’s physical, emotional, and financial states. As a result, pursuing fair compensation is one way for accident victims to recover from financial assistance.

Potential damages a Lafayette catastrophic injury lawyer might be able to pursue for you include the following:

• Medical expenses
• Long-term rehabilitation 
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of earning capacity
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Property damage
• Punitive damages 

As you can see, with the help of an experienced lawyer, spinal injury victims may be able to take legal action and recover fair compensation for a range of financial burdens and emotional hardships caused by the personal injury accident.

How a Lafayette Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm Can Prove Liability

Lawyers who represent spinal damage victims are responsible for securing compensation for injured parties. Part of this process involves establishing fault, proving liability, and substantiating claims with evidence. 

But how can a spinal cord injury attorney in Lafayette, LA, prove liability in a back injury case? A spinal cord damage law firm needs to showcase that the defendant’s behavior directly caused the injury.

Here are a handful of steps an attorney might take to prove the liability of the at-fault party:

• Investigate the circumstances of the accident
• Collect evidence
• Read witness statements
• Analyze accident reports
• Gather medical records
• Review surveillance footage
• Contact accident reconstruction specialists
• Speak with medical professionals
• Obtain detailed analyses and testimonies
• Define duty of care
• Show the presence of a breach of duty
• Pinpoint causation of the incident
• Note any damages

It all comes down to showing that the responsible party owed the victim a duty of care, meaning they had an obligation to prevent harm by acting reasonably. The law firm may demonstrate that the liable person breached this duty of care.

Then, your personal injury attorney might shift the focus to showing how this breach of duty directly caused the spinal cord injury. This is usually done by linking the responsible party’s actions—whether that be an action or the lack thereof—to the accident.

Finally, the law firm you hire can quantify the damages you suffered as the victim. With these damages in mind, your attorney can continue to seek justice by pursuing a compensation package that adequately accommodates the extent of your damages.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Damage

Spinal cord damage can result from a variety of accidents and traumatic events, but when precautions are not adhered to or put in place, the impact of back injuries can be life-altering.

Unfortunately, many of these instances are preventable, and an attorney can help you build a case and sue for this lack of responsibility. 

Here are situations that may cause spinal cord damage:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle accidents 
• Boat accidents
• Construction accidents
• Manufacturing accidents
• Defective product incidents
• Premises liability accidents
• Maritime injuries
• Workplace accidents

Symptoms of a Damaged Spinal Cord

If you sustain damage to your spinal cord, the side effects can range from relatively uncomfortable to completely painful. Damage to the spinal cord can even result in life–altering injuries.

For instance, spinal cord accident victims may suffer these symptoms:

• Breathing complications
• Loss of function
• Difficulty breathing
• Nerve damage
• Muscle spasms
• Exaggerated reflexes
• Weakness and numbness
• Difficulty walking 

Individuals with spinal cord injuries often experience a range of regulatory issues that can impact their overall health and well-being. Breathing complications and difficulty breathing may arise, both of which are issues that may pose serious challenges or require ongoing medical care over time.

Loss of limb function is a common consequence of spinal cord injuries as well, and in more serious cases, victims may endure substantially uncomfortable physical pain if not complete paralysis. It’s not uncommon for spine damage to yield chronic or intense pain that becomes a constant presence.

From nerve damage and muscle spasms to exaggerated reflexes and more, if you sustained spinal cord damage, experienced injury lawyers may be able to file a claim for you. Try to keep records of the symptoms you experience because this information will become important as your attorney builds a case on your behalf.

Statute of Limitations for Lafayette Personal Injury Lawsuits

The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits refers to the legal time frame within which the injured party must file their claim. In the state of Louisiana, statutes of limitations are referred to as prescriptive periods.

For personal injury claims in Lafayette, this period goes into effect on the date of the incident that resulted in the injuries. However, for spinal cord damage victims, there are two different prescriptive periods, so it’s important to understand which statute applies to your situation. 

• If the accident took place before July 1, 2024, you have one year to file a personal injury lawsuit. 
• If the incident transpired on or after July 1, 2024, you have two years to pursue a spinal cord damage case.

What a Lafayette Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Can Do for You

A lawyer is a must–have resource for spinal cord injury victims. Since the full value of the damage you sustained might be challenging to calculate independently, spinal cord injury attorneys in Lafayette can explain the compensation options for costs you may incur—or have already paid for—as a result of the accident.

We can help you negotiate with the responsible party‘s insurance company and assist you in pursuing maximum compensation via settlement offers or court-awarded payments. We strive to help our clients—and their families—recover damages after the incident.

However, we know that no amount of money can take away the pain and frustration you have felt, nor can it restore you to good health overnight. Even so, we want to help you secure a financial recovery that pays for the treatment and medical care you need.

Investigate the Accident

A paralysis lawyer can thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your spinal cord damage. This may include looking into potential causes of the incident and determining who may qualify as a liable party.

This process often involves interviewing witnesses, analyzing accident reports, and reviewing surveillance footage. Ultimately, the goal is to establish a clear narrative of events that led to the accident.

Gather Evidence

Attorneys can collect proof of the incident, including police reports, medical records, and photographs that capture images of the scene. Your legal counsel may consult with experts as they strive to build a strong case on your behalf.

This comprehensive approach to evidence collection ensures that all relevant information is taken into consideration. It may also increase the likelihood that your lawyer will successfully demonstrate liability and secure fair compensation for your injuries.

Determine Liability

In many cases, determining who is responsible for spinal cord damage can be hard, but that’s why spine damage law firms are worth hiring. A lawyer can help you identify all the parties who might potentially be liable for the damages you incurred.

These parties may include individuals, companies, or organizations whose actions—or inactions in some cases—contributed to the accident. Your attorney can work diligently to ensure that no responsible party is overlooked.

Negotiate with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often attempt to settle claims for far less than what you, as the hurt party, deserve. These companies are driven by profit, and as a result, they are typically incentivized to employ tactics that minimize payouts.

However, an attorney with experience can effectively negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and lower the likelihood that you do not receive fair compensation.

Represent You in Court

In the rare instance that your case advances to trial, your attorney can represent you in front of a judge and a jury. Your legal counsel can present your case with clarity and conviction.

They will likely have gathered and organized all the evidence that substantiates your spinal damage claim. By developing a compelling narrative, lawyers can strategically cross-examine witnesses to highlight inconsistencies and strengthen your case.

Understanding the Long-Term Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can lead to a variety of long-term effects that significantly impact an individual’s daily life and overall well-being. These injuries can result in chronic pain, loss of mobility, and even paralysis, necessitating ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation.

In addition to physical challenges, spinal cord injury victims often face emotional and psychological hurdles. Anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation can arise as individuals adjust to their new realities, highlighting the need for comprehensive support systems.

Financial implications also play a significant role in the lives of spinal cord injury survivors. The costs associated with medical care, rehabilitation, and adaptive equipment can accumulate quickly, placing a heavy burden on both the injured individual and their family.

Long-term costs of spinal cord injuries:

• Treatment
• Rehabilitation
• Home modifications
• Emotional support
• Therapy and counseling 

The combination of these costs can create a complicated financial landscape for spinal cord damage victims. They may find themselves navigating a web of medical bills, lost income, and the need for specialized care, all of which can feel overwhelming.

Additionally, the emotional toll of living with spinal cord damage can lead to significant lifestyle changes. Many individuals may need to adjust their expectations regarding work, social interactions, and recreational activities, which can contribute to a sense of loss and frustration.

Understanding the long-term impact of spinal cord damage emphasizes the importance of securing adequate compensation. Working with a knowledgeable attorney can help victims pursue the financial resources they need to manage their ongoing care and adapt to their new circumstances.

Call Now to Speak With a Lafayette Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm

If you are searching for a spinal cord injury lawyer in Lafayette, LA, look no further than Laborde Earles. Initial consultations with a law firm can sound overwhelming, especially during such a challenging time, but we are on your side. 

Our lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t have to worry about attorney fees. You won’t pay us until we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.

We can schedule a no-obligation appointment where we will meet with you and evaluate the details of your case. We look forward to hearing from you.