Spinal cord injuries range in severity and could be caused by someone else’s negligence. Because of the variety of spinal cord damage 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 considering a settlement offer, it is crucial to understand the future costs you may incur with a lifelong disability. A personal injury attorney with experience in these cases could help you recover fair compensation based on the specifics of your accident.
Reach out today to schedule your initial consultation.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Damage
Generally, the higher on the spine the damage is, the more severe it could be. However, lifelong pain, impairment, and other medical issues might persist regardless of which part of the spinal cord is affected.
Injuries often occur to the vertebrae or involve the intervertebral discs between them. However, any damage to the cord and nerve pathways inside the spine is considered a spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord damage can occur in various situations, such as:
- Auto accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Boat accidents
- Construction accidents
- Manufacturing accidents
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Medical malpractice incidents
- Defective product incidents
- Premises liability accidents
- Maritime injuries
- Workplace accidents
Spinal cord injury is one of the most common health outcomes from boating incidents, other than broken bones and brain damage. If you’ve suffered spinal cord damage in such an incident, our boat accident lawyers from Lafayette can help you seek compensation.
Spinal cord injuries may lead to temporary or permanent paralysis and even death in the most severe cases. Even spinal cord damage that does not result in paralysis can cause severe chronic pain, nerve damage, and other lasting symptoms.
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Symptoms of Spinal Cord Damage
When a person’s spine is damaged, they may lose the ability to use their arms, legs, and mouth. On top of these harms, spinal cord accident victims may suffer these symptoms:
- Chronic pain
- Problems regulating heartbeat and body temperature
- Breathing complications
- Discomfort
- Pneumonia
The specific symptoms can vary depending on the location and extent of the damage. However, spinal cord injuries are often life-altering, even when incomplete or relatively minor. We understand how spinal cord damage can affect your life and make routine tasks more difficult.
You shouldn’t have to navigate the aftermath of a devastating accident while worrying about how to pay for medical treatment and cover lost wages. Instead, let us handle your legal claim or lawsuit while you focus on rehabilitation, therapy, and recovery. We are here to hold the at-fault party responsible for their negligent behavior.
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What Is the Average Settlement for a Spinal Cord Injury?
In cases involving catastrophic injuries to the spine, settlements can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. This is because these conditions often require extensive medical treatment and ongoing care.
Settlement amounts can vary greatly depending on the severity of the accident and the circumstances surrounding it. Generally, compensation is based on medical treatment costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other intangible damages.
A catastrophic injury lawyer in Lafayette can help you understand the value of your case and negotiate with the insurance company to help you receive the maximum compensation available. Our team is dedicated to helping spinal cord injury victims seek justice and monetary compensation.
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Recoverable Damages
The spine is an integral part of the body, so even minor spinal cord damage will likely have severe consequences.
It is the nerve pathway that allows the brain to send signals to the legs, arms, trunk, vital organs, and other body parts. Any disruption in this pathway could lead to serious medical issues.
Spinal cord injuries that result in total or partial paralysis could mean expensive adjustments to all aspects of the injured party’s life. Potential compensatory damages related to a spinal cord injury may include:
- Lost income from time away from work
- Loss of future earning potential
- Physical therapy and counseling, potentially on a long-term basis
- In-patient rehabilitation
- Immediate medical attention, including hospitalization, surgery, and more
- Future medical expenses, including ongoing medical care and support costs
- Modifications to the home, including grab bars, ramps, and bathroom modifications
- In-home assistance
- Devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, or canes
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
Loss of Consortium or Loss of Companionship
The victim’s family may also be able to recover damages based on the damage to their relationship with the victim. For example, a victim’s spouse and children may miss important aspects of their previous relationship.
An experienced personal injury lawyer understands that a claim should cover expenses you have already incurred and compensation for future expenses. A lawyer from our team will also help you attach a dollar amount to your non-economic damages.
Our team knows how to calculate a fair settlement based on the facts of your case. For example, in certain cases, punitive damages may be warranted. In addition, we partner with medical professionals and financial experts to determine the cost of ongoing and future care.
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What a Lawyer Can Do for Your Case
The experienced attorneys on our legal team seek to help clients and their families recover monetary damages after an incident of negligence. However, we know that no amount of money can take away the pain and frustration or restore your health.
Still, we want to help you secure a financial recovery that pays for your treatment and care, allows you to live the best quality of life possible, and reduces your stress about paying your bills.
Here are some of the ways a lawyer can assist you with your spinal cord injury case:
- Investigate the accident: A skilled lawyer will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your spinal cord injury, including any potential causes and liable parties.
- Gather evidence: They can collect evidence, such as the police report, medical records, and photos taken at the accident scene, and consult experts to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Determine liability: In many cases, determining who is responsible for a spinal cord injury can be complex. A lawyer can help you identify all the parties who may be liable, including individuals, companies, or organizations.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Insurance companies are often involved in spinal cord injury cases and may try to settle your claim for less than you deserve. A lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company, ensuring you receive financial compensation for pain, suffering, and other intangible damages.
- Represent you in court: If your case goes to trial, a lawyer can represent you before a judge and jury. They can present your case, cross-examine witnesses, and argue on your behalf to help you achieve a favorable outcome.
With over 250 years of combined legal experience, our skilled attorneys have handled numerous cases involving spinal cord damage, paralysis, and other related medical concerns. We are here for you and your family and can provide a free case review.
Pursuing a Spinal Cord Injury Claim
If a person causes physical harm to another, the at-fault party is responsible for the 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. For example, all drivers must follow traffic laws and avoid causing motor vehicle accidents.
If someone negligently, carelessly, recklessly, or intentionally causes harm to another, that person may owe money to the victim. An accident attorney can help you hold the malicious or negligent party responsible.
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Lawsuits
The law limits your time to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit. The court can dismiss your case if you wait too long to take legal action.
In many cases, you must bring the claim against the liable party within one year of the accident.
Exceptions may apply under extenuating circumstances, so it’s best to seek legal advice from an experienced lawyer about the specific deadlines in your case.
Why You Should Hire a Lafayette Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
The full value of a severe injury such as spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injury (TBI) might be challenging to calculate independently.
An experienced personal injury lawyer from our Lafayette office could explain the potential costs you may incur because of the accident.
We can help you negotiate with the insurance company or responsible party to ensure these costs are properly accounted for in any settlement offer or court award.
We don’t Get Paid Unless We Get You Compensation
We are a contingency-fee personal injury law firm. That means we do not charge our clients upfront for our legal services. We will never ask you to pay before your case ends. Instead, we get paid a percentage of any payout you receive.
However, you owe us nothing if you don’t receive a settlement or award. This arrangement allows all victims to obtain legal counsel regardless of their financial situation.
Speak to a Lafayette Accident Injury Attorney About Your Case
At Laborde Earles, we represent clients in personal injury claims in Lafayette Parish and across Louisiana. In addition, we provide free legal consultations for victims and their families, allowing them to learn more about their rights and options for pursuing justice and financial recovery.
If you’ve suffered a life-altering injury, don’t let an insurance company take advantage of you. Instead, a personal injury attorney in Lafayette could begin advocating on your behalf while you concentrate on your recovery.
Call now or fill out the online contact form for your free case review.
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