Spinal cord injuries are among the most debilitating and severe injuries that can happen to anyone. Victims of spinal cord injuries generally incur significant medical costs, need to take time off of work, and endure pain, stress, and emotional damage. If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury due to another person’s negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your losses.
Contact a Syracuse and Central New York Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
At CDH Law PLLC, our attorneys have in-depth experience representing clients who’ve suffered debilitating spinal cord injuries. Our attorneys work closely with clients and have the resources and experience to thoroughly investigate your case and pursue the full amount of compensation you deserve. Contact the Syracuse and Central New York spinal cord injury attorneys at CDH Law PLLC to schedule your free case evaluation.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury can be one of the various injuries that affect the spine, damaging a person’s nervous system. The spinal cord is surrounded by the vertebral column’s bones that protect it, but that protection can be penetrated by trauma. The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on how much damage is done and the location of the damage.
If the damage is near the neck, called the cervical region, the risk of harm is generally the greatest. It may involve quadriplegia—the inability to control the arms and legs voluntarily—and may affect a person’s ability to breathe. Symptoms of spinal cord injuries can include the following:
- Loss of control of the bladder or bowels
- Difficulty walking
- Inability to move the arms or legs
- Headache
- Unconsciousness
- Feelings of spreading tingling or numbness in the extremities
- Pain, stiffness, and pressure in the back or neck area
- Signs of shock
- Unnatural positioning of the head
Injuries in the thoracic or lumbar region, in the middle or lower back, can affect a person’s legs, bladder, and bowel function. Treating spinal cord injuries can be difficult once the injury occurs. Emergency surgery or steroids may help, but, unfortunately, once the damage to the spinal cord has been done, there isn’t a way to repair the damage. Treatment involves managing symptoms. Spinal cord injuries can result in the following:
- Paralysis
- Chronic pain
- Loss of sensation
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
Accidents That Can Lead to a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are often the result of a preventable accident or violent event. All of the following accidents and incidents can result in spinal cord damage, including:
- A violent attack such as a gunshot or stabbing
- Diving into water that’s too shallow and hitting the bottom
- Car accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents
- Falling from a significant height
- Recreational activities
- Sporting events
- Slip and fall accidents
- Electrical accidents
- Severe twisting of the middle portion of the torso
Pursuing Compensation Through a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Spinal cord injury victims who become entirely or partially paralyzed may require a lifetime of medical care. An experienced attorney can help you understand the short-term and long-term needs you’ll have due to your injuries. Spinal cord injury patients frequently require extensive rehabilitation, special living arrangements, and adaptive equipment such as braces, crutches, and wheelchairs.
The attorneys at CDH Law PLLC will work to ensure that all of your current and future medical needs are accounted for as we pursue the full value of your claim. We will fight to pursue the full compensation you need to provide for your medical needs going forward so you aren’t left without the financial resources you need and deserve.
How Much Is My Case Worth?
If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury, you may wonder how much your claim is worth. The best way to learn about your case’s value is to discuss your case with an experienced Syracuse and Central New York personal injury attorney. Generally, the more debilitating and life-altering your injuries, the higher your case’s value. The severity of spinal cord injuries will determine what type of medical treatment you need and how much compensation you may be able to recover in your case. Victims of spinal cord injuries can pursue compensation for a wide range of damages, including the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Permanent injury
When the person who caused your injuries acted willfully, recklessly, or egregiously, punitive damages can also be awarded. Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and discourage others from engaging in similar behaviors in the future.
What to Do After Sustaining a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can have serious consequences, and taking appropriate measures to protect your rights is important. If you or someone you love has a spinal cord injury, call 911 immediately and wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive. Don’t disturb the injured person unless it’s essential. Doctors will conduct diagnostic tests when the victim arrives at the hospital to determine whether there is a spinal cord injury and the location of the injury.
In addition to ensuring you receive medical compensation, it’s important that you ensure you’re properly treated. Follow your doctor’s orders and keep all your treatment documentation. Doing so will make it easier to establish liability if you pursue a lawsuit. After receiving medical treatment, discussing your case with an attorney is important.
Insurance companies may pressure you into admitting fault or accepting an unreasonably low settlement offer. An attorney can ensure you’re treated fairly and negotiate a fair settlement offer. Additionally, your attorney can begin investigating your case and gathering facts and evidence.
Contact an Experienced Syracuse and Central New York Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
If you or your loved one have suffered a spinal cord injury, it’s important to discuss your case with an experienced attorney. Pursuing compensation after a serious personal injury is complex, but you aren’t alone. The attorneys at CDH Law PLLC are here to help you understand your rights and options. Contact our office today.