Significant blows and traumatic injuries to the spinal cord can result in substantial injures. When negligent actions lead to spinal cord injuries, victims may have an opportunity to seek damages from the negligent persons or entities through a personal injury claim. An Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyer can be vital to a successful pursuit of compensation for the losses emanating from these severe and life-altering injuries.
The primary motivation of insurance companies considering your personal injury claim is to pay out as little as possible to safeguard their massive annual profits. As a result, you are likely to receive offers of settlement that do not even begin to adequately compensate you for the losses that you have suffered at the hands of others. By allowing the intervention of a catastrophic injury attorney into your claim, you may achieve a better outcome.
When any trauma damages the spinal cord, permanent damage may result. The hallmark injuries of a spinal cord injury include a lack of sensation and inability to move parts of the body. The extent of that damage depends on the nature of the injury and its location along the spinal cord.
For instance, if the spinal cord injury occurs toward the bottom of the spinal cord, the injury victim likely will lose sensation below the waist, but not above the waist. Likewise, if the injury is higher up on the spinal cord, then the loss of feeling may extend to the trunk, arms, and neck in some cases. Therefore, some individuals with spinal cord injuries may suffer a higher degree of impairment than others.
Spinal cord injuries can impact not only movement but necessary bodily functions. These injuries can adversely affect breathing, bladder and bowel usage, and sexual function. The combination of physical paralysis and loss of body functions can cause individuals to become unable to care for themselves or return to work.
In many cases, spinal cord injuries result from accidents that others cause. Negligence, or the careless disregard for the safety of others, can be a basis for liability in a personal injury claim stemming from those injuries. Those who act or fail to act reasonably under the circumstances can be responsible for damages or the costs of the injuries that they cause.
Various examples of negligence can lead to spinal cord injuries. These situations may include:
An impaired or speeding driver who causes a motor vehicle accident could face liability if you suffer a spinal cord injury. The owners of a business could be held responsible for the costs of spinal cord injuries if they fail to warn you of a spill or other floor hazard that causes you to slip and fall. With the help of a spinal cord injury lawyer, you may be able to pursue compensation from potentially liable parties in your area.
The damages in every personal injury case differ, but most losses fall into broader categories of damages. Most individuals who suffer spinal cord injuries necessitate emergency medical treatment and ongoing medical care, such as rehabilitation costs. Catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage may result in the need for assistive medical devices, home health care, and personal care attendants.
Furthermore, if you are unable to return to your prior career or job due to injuries, you can seek damages for loss of current and future income. For a young adult, especially, the loss of capacity to earn future income can be significant.
Some damages are less economic than others. While lost wages are easily quantifiable, physical pain and suffering or mental anguish are potential damages that are more difficult to value. An experienced spinal cord injury attorney can be invaluable in placing appropriate values on damages in a personal injury claim and working toward a maximum settlement amount.
The consequences of catastrophic injuries, like spinal cord injuries, are often overwhelming. The impact of these injuries on physical health, mental well-being, and financial stability can be significant and permanent. As a result, contacting an Atlanta spinal cord injury lawyer for advice may be an advantage in pursuing your claim for damages.
Personal injury claims may allow you to hold negligent parties accountable for their wrongful actions in causing your injuries. Your demands for compensation may cause those parties to act more responsibly in the future.
