Spinal cord injuries are often permanent, which causes lifelong ramifications for accident victims who sustain these types of injuries. Limited mobility, loss of function in some body systems, and related problems can create medical, financial, and emotional problems for these injury victims. When another party has caused an accident resulting in this type of trauma, a Smyrna spinal cord injury lawyer may be able to help.
The medical expenses, income losses, and need for assistance with daily activities can combine to place a heavy burden on injury victims and their families following a catastrophic accident. While compensation from the responsible parties cannot remedy the situation, it can help ensure that the injured parties get the care that they require. A skilled attorney can be an instrumental part of your ability to obtain necessary medical care and begin the long road to regaining your independence.
Consequences of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries typically result in a loss of feel and movement in specific parts of the body. A complete spinal cord injury involves the total severing of the spinal cord and leaves no sensation in the affected body parts. On the other hand, an incomplete spinal cord injury involves only compression or other trauma to the spinal cord, which may leave you with some limited forms of movement and sensation.
Location is also an essential factor in determining the extent of the spinal cord injury. Lower spinal cord injuries often result in paralysis below the waist, but feeling and movement above the waist are usually intact. Higher spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis of the trunk, arms, and neck, as well as the lower part of the body, depending on the exact location of the injury.
Besides mobility and sensation, spinal cord injuries can also result in the loss of selected bodily functions. Again, the location of the injury determines which bodily functions are affected. Therefore, a spinal cord injury potentially could impact sexual function, bladder and bowel control, and even breathing in some instances.
Proving Negligence in Spinal Cord Injury Claims
Various accidents can lead to spinal cord injuries. All too often, the negligent or careless third-party actions can directly lead to accidents resulting in spinal cord injuries. Proof of negligence requires you to establish four major elements:
- Reasonable duty of care owed to the injury victims
- Breach of the reasonable duty of care
- Harm directly resulting from the breach of the reasonable duty of care
- Damages incurred by the accident victims as a result of their injuries
In all cases based on negligence, the applicable standard is one of reasonableness. In other words, if individuals do not act in the same way that other reasonable people in the same situation would act, they may be negligent. A negligence finding can bolster a personal injury claim based on an accident leading to spinal cord injuries.
As a spinal cord injury attorney may advise, negligence may cause significant injuries in many different scenarios. Motor vehicle accidents, sports accidents, and assaults all may result in spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic injuries. Falls and workplace accidents also can lead to spinal cord injuries.
Damages Resulting from Spinal Cord Injuries
Depending on the extent of the impairment, you may require various levels of care. Some may be able to learn to live independently and return to work, whereas others may be unable to resume their former careers due to their limitations. In some cases, you may rely on family members, home health care aides, and personal attendants to participate in even the most basic daily activities, like dressing, showering, and eating.
Since spinal cord injuries are likely permanent, the lifetime costs of medical care for these injury victims can be astronomical. The need for ongoing medical treatment and personal care likely will exist in most spinal cord injury cases. By consulting a local attorney, you may be able to seek damages for their losses, including loss of income, loss of mobility, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
Call a Smyrna Spinal Cord Injury Attorney for Advice
No one expects to become an accident victim or suffer spinal cord injuries. Abrupt, extreme, and massive changes to your lifestyle are likely in this situation. You may need the advice of a Smyrna spinal cord injury lawyer to assist you with any potential legal claims that you may have against those who are responsible for your accident.
You likely will be preoccupied with rehabilitation, learning to deal with your limitations, and building a new life for yourself following a devastating accident. By allowing legal counsel to share your burdens, you can focus on the most crucial matter or your recovery.
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