Spinal cord injuries are one of the most severe injuries the human body can withstand. These serious injuries can alter your life and your family’s in an instant, leading to permanent disability, the loss of the ability to work, and a future dictated by medical treatments.
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, approximately 305,000 people are currently living with a spinal cord injury in the United States. Approximately 18,000 new spinal cord injury cases emerge each year.
If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury, a Huntsville personal injury lawyer from Siniard Law, LLC can help. We work closely with accident victims and understand the gravity of these injuries have on victims and their families. We work tirelessly to ensure the responsible parties are held fully accountable for the harm they’ve caused. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
What Is the Spinal Cord?
To understand the impact of a spinal cord injury, it’s essential to understand the importance and function of the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the primary communication pathway between the brain and the rest of the body. It sends signals from the brain to the rest of the body and vice versa. It controls movement, sensations, and autonomic regulations such as heartbeat and breathing. Due to these critical functions, any damage to the spine can be life-threatening and catastrophic.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are generally classified based on where the injury occurs in the spinal cord. The spinal cord is made up of vertebrae, which are rings of bones surrounding the spinal cord. Together, they make up the spinal column. Vertebrae are classified in the following groups:
- Cervical – This portion of the spinal column is made up of seven vertebrae in the neck area, connecting it to the brain. Cervical spinal cord injuries typically cause loss of function in the arms and legs, causing tetraplegia.
- Thoracic – There are twelve thoracic vertebrae that make up the back. These injuries often impact the chest and lungs.
- Lumbar – Five vertebrae form the lumbar region of the body, which is the lower back. These injuries may result in paraplegia and affect the hips and legs.
The higher the injury is in the body, the more severe the damage tends to be. Any body part below the site of injury can be paralyzed. Two of the most common types of spinal cord injuries are quadriplegia and paraplegia. Quadriplegia (also known as tetraplegia) is a catastrophic injury that affects all four limbs. Paraplegia mainly affects the legs and lower half of the body.
Spinal cord injuries can be complete or incomplete. In a complete injury, all signals to and from the damaged area of the body are blocked. These injuries cause loss of muscle control, autonomic processes, and sensation. In incomplete injuries, not all signals are blocked. A person with an incomplete spinal cord injury may be able to move somewhat, control autonomic body processes, or feel some sensation.
Long-Term Complications of Spinal Cord Injuries
The prospect of recovery and the extent of the harm a spinal cord injury victim will suffer depend on various factors, including the type of injury, its severity, the victim’s age, and overall health. The immediacy and effectiveness of medical treatment can also affect recovery.
Many spinal cord injury victims are unable to recover from their injuries. They may lose the permanent ability to walk or move their body. Many victims face long-term impairments and permanent disabilities.
Spinal cord injuries cause a catastrophic disruption of signals to and from the brain. This can lead to a loss of bodily control and sensation, leading to long-term complications such as:
- Nerve damage
- Loss of movement and coordination
- Reduced motor skills
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
- Loss of sexual function
- Muscle spasms
- Pressure sores from not moving
- Respiratory, circulatory, and digestive issues
In addition to the profound physical effects spinal cord injuries can cause, victims often suffer mentally and emotionally following an accident. They may suffer from depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Their relationships with loved ones can also become strained as they may find it difficult to see themselves in a new light or become dependent on them for their care.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries generally occur when there is trauma to the spinal cord. Vertebrae can fracture and crush or sever the spinal cord. Car accidents are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for approximately 37.5% of spinal cord injuries each year, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center.
Falls are another leading cause of spinal cord injuries. When someone falls, they can severely damage their spine. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center says that falls are responsible for 31.7% of spinal cord injuries each year. Other common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicyclist accidents
- Acts of violence
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- Sports accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Accidents caused by defective products
If someone else’s negligence injured you, our personal injury lawyers can investigate your case.
Who Is Responsible for Spinal Cord Injuries?
If you suspect you have suffered a spinal cord injury, it’s crucial that you identify all the parties responsible for your injuries. Your medical expenses alone can be impossible to pay without securing compensation through a personal injury claim. A spinal cord injury attorney from Siniard Law, LLC can investigate if any of the following parties are responsible for your accident:
- Negligent motorists – If a driver’s negligence or error caused a motor vehicle accident that harmed you, they may be liable for your injuries.
- Property owners – Property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain their properties and prevent injuring visitors. If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, you could hold them liable for your resulting injuries.
- Businesses – The legal duties of businesses to keep their premises safe are heightened when they invite the public onto their property. Employers are also responsible for the negligent actions of their employees. If you were injured due to the negligence of a business, you may be able to seek compensation from it.
- Healthcare providers – Medical errors are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries. If a surgeon harmed your spinal cord or another medical provider caused you to suffer a spinal cord injury, you may be able to file a medical malpractice case.
- Product manufacturers – Manufacturers are responsible for making products that are safe to use as designed. If they release dangerous products into the marketplace, they can be held liable for resulting injuries and losses.
- Other negligent parties – Our skilled lawyers can investigate when other parties may have contributed to the accident and demand full compensation on your behalf.
How a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Can Help
Spinal cord injury cases tend to result in significant damages, so at-fault parties and insurance companies are hesitant to accept responsibility. Our personal injury attorneys can ensure your rights are protected and help you navigate the legal process of securing financial compensation for your injuries. When you hire us, our experienced attorneys help with every aspect of your legal claim, including:
- Investigation – Our accident attorneys thoroughly investigate your case to identify all at-fault parties. We gather strong evidence to help hold them legally and financially accountable.
- Documentation of injury severity – A spinal injury lawyer from our firm can gather your medical records and work with your healthcare team so that we understand your injury’s severity and your future medical needs.
- Damages evaluation – Spinal cord injuries can have a devastating effect on families. We account for your diminished earning capacity, medical expenses, and other ongoing expenses associated with your disability. We work with vocational experts, life care planners, and medical specialists to document the full range of your damages.
- Negotiations – Our accident attorneys aggressively negotiate for maximum compensation to help you recover and rebuild your life.
- Legal representation – Our skilled lawyers provide customized legal advice and representation to you every step of the way. We can take your case to court when insurance companies fail to make reasonable settlements with our clients.
Learn more about how a Huntsville injury lawyer from Siniard Law, LLC can help with your claim when you call today for a free consultation.
Financial Compensation Recoverable in a Personal Injury Claim
Because spinal cord injuries are one of the most devastating types of injuries you can face, your damages may encompass a wide array of damages, including:
- Medical expenses – You can seek compensation for the immediate medical treatment you received, as well as subsequent diagnostic tests, surgeries, and hospital stays. You can also seek compensation for medication and medical devices, ongoing rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other medical needs. You can also seek compensation for future medical expenses you anticipate incurring.
- Lost income – Many spinal cord injury victims are never able to return to work, so their damages may include the loss of their earning capacity. Their award will need to account for the loss of years’ worth of income they would have otherwise been able to earn had the accident not occurred.
- Home and vehicle modifications – You may need to modify your home and vehicle for accessibility, such as adding wheelchair ramps and lifts. You can seek compensation for these necessary changes.
- Pain and suffering – You have a right to seek damages for the physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering you endured because of the accident, your resulting injuries, and your medical treatment.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – Your lifestyle may face extreme adjustments due to your spinal cord injury. You may have to rely on loved ones or round-the-clock care. You might be unable to participate in activities you once enjoyed. You have a right to seek compensation for these intangible yet very real, losses.
When you are facing a lifetime of medical care, a loss of income, and a completely altered future, you deserve to be fairly compensated for these losses. Our personal injury team is prepared to demand maximum compensation on your behalf.
What Is My Spinal Cord Injury Case Worth?
Every personal injury case is different, just as every spinal cord injury case is different. Various factors can affect the value of your case, including:
- The type of spinal cord injury you required
- The cost of your medical treatment
- Your need for ongoing medical care
- Whether you require in-home care
- Whether the injury rendered you permanently disabled
- Whether you are able to work at all
- The disability accommodations you had to make
- The full extent of your pain and suffering
- The effect your injury had on you and your loved ones
At Siniard Law, LLC, we focus on maximizing your compensation by highlighting your injury’s impact on your life. We gather evidence and work with experts to get a full picture of your losses and demand rightful compensation for them.
What Is the Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Alabama?
In Alabama, the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years in most situations. This means you have until the accident’s second anniversary to take legal action. If you fail to do so, you can forfeit your right to recover compensation, regardless of how clear liability is or how much you have suffered. You can safeguard your rights by contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer today.
Contact a Huntsville Spinal Cord Injury Attorney for a Free Case Review
If you suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve to be fairly compensated for the full extent of your losses. Our experienced legal team knows how to prepare cases for maximum compensation and how to secure the money you will need for a lifetime of care. Contact Siniard Law, LLC today for a free case review with an experienced personal injury attorney.