How To Pursue Legal Action For A Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury (SCI) could completely turn your life upside down. Victims often have no choice but to create a new routine around their disability and possibly pay tens of thousands for long-term care as they recover.

Thankfully, the law lets you seek compensation if someone else’s negligence caused your accident. Learn more about how to file a claim for spinal cord injuries and the types of compensation you could be eligible for.

What Are Spinal Cord Injuries?

Spinal cord injuries are damages affecting spinal cords due to traumas, infections, or diseases. Some symptoms you could experience include:

  • Chronic pain
  • Full or partial paralysis
  • Muscle spasticity
  • Problems with mobility
  • Bowel or bladder problems
  • Psychological trauma

Regardless of the severity, adapting to this condition will take a lot of strength and patience. Many victims also need to find ways to cope with their new routines and accept that life may not be the same as it used to be.

Types Of Spinal Cord Injuries

Not all spinal cord injuries are the same. Some could be more severe than others and impact the amount of compensation you receive. Here are the most common you could see in personal injury cases:

  • Complete injuries: Injuries that lead to complete loss of function to below the target area.
  • Partial injuries: Partially losing feeling in some areas, which means there’s still some connection between the brain and that specific part of the body.
  • Quadriplegia:Paralysis or loss of function that affects every body part from the neck down. You may have trouble feeling bowel movements and need special equipment to facilitate breathing. 
  • Brown-Sequard syndrome: Weakness or loss of function in one half of your body.
  • Paraplegia: Losing sensation or function in the lower half of your body, such as the pelvis or legs.

Are Spinal Cord Injuries Permanent?

Unlike other areas of your body, a spinal cord doesn’t regenerate cells. This is why severe SCIs lead to permanent damage in most cases. Despite the bad news, this doesn’t mean you can’t recover some bodily functions. Many patients with less severe injuries make improvements after some time. Discuss your condition with your medical provider to see your options and understand what you need to do going forward.

Type Of Compensation Available For Spinal Cord Injuries

Similar to other personal injuries, the type of compensation you could receive comes down to the severity of the accident. Here’s what most claimants could receive compensation for:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical bills
  • Future therapy and other treatments
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional damages

How To File A Claim For Spinal Cord Injuries

Gather Your Evidence

Having proper evidence could make or break your case. Gather anything relevant to the accident’s details, including medical records, treatments, and accident reports. The stronger your evidence, the higher the chances of winning the case and getting a favorable settlement.

File Your Claim

Make sure to file the proper documentation with the insurance company or in court. Many cases get delayed due to paperwork errors, so always have your lawyer review everything before submitting them to the court.

Discuss Your Case With An Attorney

You don’t need to go through this process on your own. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney knows the ins and outs of the law and could help you through the process. They will gather everything you need and build a strong case.

Speak To An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

Did you recently experience an accident or condition that led to a spinal cord injury? Our Long Island personal injury lawyers have been helping victims get fully compensated for their injuries for over 60 years. Please complete our online form or call us at (866) 507-1730 to schedule an appointment with one of our legal experts today.