Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Spinal cord injuries can have devastating, life-altering consequences. Depending on the exact location that an injury occurs, the result could be quadriplegia, paraplegia, or even some degree of reduced motor function. The result of these can be long-term pain, a lack of mobility and, in extreme cases, it can affect your speaking ability.
Should you suffer a spinal cord injury due to the negligence of another party, you are allowed to claim compensation for financial, physical, and emotional losses associated with it. Our spinal cord injury lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, FL work with professionals such as neurologists, life care planners, and economists to determine the extent of damage sustained in a spinal cord injury. Armed with this data, you can file for a claim and have our team of legal evaluate all outstanding factors and other accident details to get you the compensation you deserve.
Leading Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
According to a recent report released by National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, 17,000 people in America suffer spinal cord injuries every year. Many of these injuries occur when a severe force, also known as trauma, acts on the body. Other leading causes of spinal cord injuries are:
- Slip and falls
- Nursing home abuse
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Acts of violence
- Construction accidents
- Sports and recreation injuries
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
Whatever the cause of your spinal cord injury is, you may suffer severe symptoms, including:
- Extreme pain or pressure on your head, back, or neck
- A lack of coordination, or weakness/paralysis in other body parts
- Difficulties in walking and balance
- Loss of bladder control
- A twisted or oddly positioned back or neck
- Impaired breathing
- Loss of sexual function
How Much Does a Spinal Cord Injury Cost?
For an injury to be classified as catastrophic, it must have resulted in permanent impairment. Such cases are referred to as a “complete” injuries in medical terms. A partially severed spinal cord is referred to as an “incomplete” injury. Based on these classifications, your injury may or may not heal and you may or may not regain bodily function where you were injured.
The average compensation amounts associated with spinal cord injuries are based on neurological impairment, education level, and pre-injury employment history. Losses may include reduced productivity, fringe benefits, and lost wages. According to the NSCISC report referenced above, first-year expenses for palliative care are estimated between $1 million and about $350,000 for high tetraplegia, low tetraplegia, paraplegia, and motor functionality respectively. Each subsequent year is estimated to cost between $185,000 and $40,000 or so for the same injuries, in the same order.
Personal Injury Law for Spinal Cord Injuries
Personal injuries in Florida are settled using the law of comparative negligence. In legal terms, negligence is defined as conduct that falls below what someone who is acting reasonably would do in a similar situation. All parties who have some responsibility in causing an accident are required to face financial responsibility for the accident. For instance, someone who has 20% fault in causing an accident can only claim 80% of the resultant damages. Determining the extent of fault can be quite complicated and, if you are not careful, all of the blame for an accident can be shifted to you by insurance adjusters or the defendant’s lawyers. This makes it imperative to have a skilled lawyer represent you for all injury claims.
Proving Negligence for a Spinal Cord Injury
To succeed in proving negligence, your lawyer will need to show that the at-fault party had a duty of care towards you that was not fulfilled. In other words, there must be sufficient evidence to show that was it not for the defendant’s negligence or carelessness, the injury could have been avoided. Any action that violates the duty of care is a breach of that duty and your lawyer will be tasked with proving that the breach was the proximate cause of your spinal cord injury. Once negligence is proven, a victim is entitled to receive compensation to make him or her “whole” again, both financially as well as physically to whatever extent possible.
Some of the settlements we will seek on your behalf are:
- Current and future medical bills – therapeutic costs, equipment, rehabilitation, doctor fees, emergency treatment costs
- Lost wages and ability to earn
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Property damages
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Personal injury lawsuits in Florida must be filled within 4 years of the occurrence of the accident. However, if the defendant is the state government, a county, or a city, the statute of limitations is 3 years. The earlier you file your claim, the higher your chances of success will be. Evidence in delayed cases may be lost as time passes, so file quickly.
Get the Legal Spinal Cord Injury Assistance You Need Today
Based on the nature of the injury, long-term therapeutic care for spinal cord injuries can range anywhere between $1 million and $4.5 million. An ordinary family can only afford such high costs by seeking compensation. For their claim to succeed, they need to have the representation of an expert spinal cord lawyer.
Our lawyers are seasoned legal professionals who know how to investigate accidents, gather evidence, and assertively negotiating with responsible insurance carriers to get the maximum compensation you are entitled. Should the case go all the way to court, we guarantee expert representation of your case in a court of law. Start with a free consultation by calling us at 305-928-2909 today.