Spinal cord injuries may range in severity and could be caused by the negligence of someone else. Because of the variety of spinal cord injury cases and the complexity of the laws regarding these claims, you may need a Lafayette spinal cord injury lawyer to help you understand your legal rights.
Many spinal cord injuries never fully heal, so when you are considering a settlement offer, it is crucial to understand the possible future costs that you may incur when dealing with a lifelong injury. An experienced catastrophic injury attorney could advocate on your behalf to help you receive the compensation you are entitled.
Types of Injuries
Generally, the higher in the spine the injury is, the more severe could be. However, lifelong pain and medical issues might persist regardless of which part of the spinal cord is affected. Injuries may occur to the vertebrae themselves or involve the intervertebral discs that are between the vertebrae.
Spinal cord injuries could occur in various situations, such as:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents involving big rig semi-trucks
- Boat accidents
- Construction accidents
- Manufacturing accidents
- Slip-and-fall accidents
Spinal cord injuries may lead to temporary or permanent paralysis and even death in the most severe cases. Other spinal cord injuries that do not result in paralysis can cause severe chronic pain. Regardless of the severity, a spinal cord injury is likely to result in medical issues that will persist throughout the individual’s lifetime.
If the accident that caused the injury was the result of another party’s negligent or reckless behavior, a Lafayette spinal cord injury lawyer could guide a plaintiff through the legal process of recovering compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a spinal cord injury lawyer serving Lafayette, call (337) 777-7777
Recoverable Damages
The spine is an important part of the body, so even a minor spinal cord injury is likely to have consequences. Spinal cord injuries that result in total or partial paralysis could involve expensive adjustments to all aspects of the injured party’s life. Potential damages of an injury may include:
- Inability to earn a living
- Physical therapy and counseling, potentially on a long-term basis
- Immediate medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Modifications to the home, including hand bars, ramps, and bathroom modifications
- In-home assistance
- Devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, or canes
- Pain and suffering
A Lafayette spinal cord injury lawyer understands that a claim for compensation can cover expenses from the injury that have already been incurred and could fight to recover compensation for future expenses as well.
Lafayette Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
Iberia Parish Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
If a person’s spine becomes damaged, they may lose the ability to use their arms, legs, and even mouth. On top of these harms, victims may suffer a plethora of other symptoms, including:
- Chronic pain
- Problems regulating heartbeat and body temperature
- Breathing complications
- Discomfort
- Pneumonia
The specific symptoms can vary depending on the location and extent of an injury. However, spinal cord injuries are often severe and life-altering.
Pursuing a Spinal Cord Injury Claim
If a person causes injury to another, the actor is responsible for the resulting damage under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315. The specific duty of care a person owes another depends on their relationship, but even strangers have a duty not to cause harm. If a person negligently, carelessly, recklessly, or intentionally causes injury to another, that person may owe money to the victim.
Statute of Limitations
The law has a time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit. If the injured person waits too long, the court can dismiss the case. For many cases, the victim must bring the claim within a year of the accident. Exceptions may apply in some cases, so it is important for victims to seek advice from an Iberia Parish spinal cord injury lawyer about the specific deadlines that apply to their cases.
Recoverable Damages in Iberia Parish
A spinal injury could lead to extensive medical expenses, as well as an inability to work. The victim may struggle to pay their bills, which could also affect their family. If the court finds the actor liable for an accident, the defendant may be required to compensate the victim for the full extent of their losses.
Some recoverable damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
Loss of Consortium
The victim’s family may also be able to recover damages based on the cost to their relationship with the victim. For example, a victim’s spouse and children may miss out on important aspects of their relationship.
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How a Lafayette Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Could Help
The full value of a spinal cord injury might be difficult for the injured party to calculate on their own. An experienced Lafayette spinal cord injury lawyer could help explain the potential current and future costs that you may incur because of your spinal cord injury. An attorney may then help you negotiate to ensure that these costs are properly accounted for in any settlement offer or legal judgment.
Contact a Lafayette spinal cord injury attorney today so that a legal professional could begin advocating on your behalf while you concentrate on your recovery.
Call or text (337) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
