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Health at a Glance: 6 Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

The Connection Between Negligence and Spinal Cord Injury Causes

Spinal cord damage falls into the legal category of catastrophic injuries because the result is a serious loss of body function.  Other such injuries include brain injuries, traumatic amputations, and severe burns, among others.  Many law firms refer these cases to firms with more courtroom experience because they are most likely to go to trial.  The complexity of the case, the high amounts of compensation requested, and the burden of proof for negligence requires a strong case and aggressive representation.

Spinal Cord Injuries

There are multiple organizations that conduct studies, statistics, and research projects that monitor and track the causes of spinal cord injuries. The Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are two examples.  Most people are familiar with the main causes of vehicle accidents and fall that make up almost seventy percent of all spinal cord injuries.  Others that make up the remaining thirty percent include gunshot wounds, being struck by objects, and sports injuries.

Negligence

Negligence is often the root cause of the incidents and accidents that lead to spinal cord injuries.  A business entrance is not maintained and a customer falls on a part of the stairs that is crumbling.  A young driver is distracted and side-swipes the vehicle.  A co-worker does not properly secure a support beam that comes loose and hits the victim across the base of the back.

Results

The results of these injuries range from impaired mobility to paralysis to death, according to John Hopkins health library.  Victims that survive require durable medical equipment, constant medical attention, therapies, medications, and accessibility adjustments at home and in vehicles.  Most cannot work again which means years of lost wages, the elimination of promotion potential, and zero contributions to the family finances.  Some will not have the capability to be active parents for existing children or share the responsibilities of managing a household with a partner or spouse.

Compensation

The compensation amounts are typically high in these cases because several factors are considered when configuring medical costs, monetary losses, future needs, and family obligations.  Insurance companies will try to minimize needs and costs to pay out as little as possible.  Most will not figure in college tuition for dependent children, for example, because children may be young at the time of the incident.  The truth is that the loss of earning potential will make paying for college a challenge or an impossibility which denies the innocent children an opportunity for higher education.

Strong Representation

Businesses will rely on insurance companies to offer a settlement and get victims to sign documentation that closes the case.  Once this is done, it is difficult to file a lawsuit for any additional compensation.  It is vital to contact experienced litigation lawyers as soon as a spinal cord, or any other injury occurs due to an accident or incident.  Do not hesitate to schedule that initial consultation.  Lawyers are willing to go to the hospital or the home if it not possible for the injured party to go into the office.  Most consultations are free as well to prevent finances from being an issue for victims.

Ask about the number of cases tried in a courtroom and the outcomes.  Most personal injury cases are settled out of court, so some litigators rarely present cases to a judge or jury.  In addition to asking about going to court, find out if the firm has developed in-house investigative teams.  This will indicate dedicated investigators who know what evidence is critical to help build a strong case.  A firm that represents plaintiffs only will have the plaintiff-centered focus needed to assist a jury in understanding what lies ahead for the victims.

The future of your medical care, as well as provisions and opportunities for the family,  are at stake, so select a litigator wisely.  Be honest when discussing the events of the incident as remembered.  If events cannot be remembered, that is important information to divulge as well.

Comments

  1. Mary A Ambrosino says

    Always good to know.

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