Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Homestead, FL
Spinal cord injuries are one of the most common types of personal injuries sustained in traffic accidents. Victims of such injuries often require long-term rehab and expensive medical treatment. These types of injuries are often life-changing and can result in a loss of ability to move in some parts of the body, permanent paralysis, and an inability to walk or work.
Statistically, according to CDC reports, 12,000 to 20,000 people suffer from spinal cord injuries every year, with 46% of all the cases resulting from motor vehicle accidents and other traffic accidents.
National SCI Statistical Center’s (NSCISC) statistics also place the figure of traumatic spinal cord injuries in the U.S. every year at approximately 17,500.
While some of these cases are genuinely accidental and completely unavoidable, others are the result of negligence and recklessness of another road use – whether a drunk driver, a texting-while-driving driver, an over-speeding driver, or a manufacturing company that produced or improperly serviced a faulty vehicle.
Whoever’s fault it may be, you as the victim have a right to claim for compensation for losses such as:
- Lost wages, both present and future
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Pain and suffering caused by the injury
- Current and future medical bills for treating injuries sustained in the accident
- Loss of consortium if the spinal cord injury leads to the death of a loved one
- Loss of in-house assistance
Financial Costs
When you suffer a spinal cord injury, you will most likely have to undergo a series of medical procedures. These procedures are often very expensive, and the fact that they often do not finish in one visit to the doctor is proof of the seriousness of the matter. This means you will likely have medical bills accumulating over a long period of time.
However, this need not be cause for excessive worry because, with a good lawyer, you can file a claim for compensation commensurate to the costs of your treatment and other injuries, pain, distress, and damages that are a direct result of the accident.
Another financial cost you may face is the loss of present and future wages. While not all spinal cord injuries are permanent, they can be very severe and even permanent. However, whether the injury is permanent or not, you cannot always go back to work right away, and this can place a serious strain on your financial wellbeing. You may end up losing the ability to work as you recover, or not be able to work in the same capacity as before.
Personal Injury Claims
When someone else’s irresponsible conduct causes you to suffer a spinal cord injury, the first claim your attorney will probably file for is a personal injury claim. This claim is most common when the other party is at fault due to negligence. However, you and your lawyer may have to prove that the other party acted negligently, and here are the key aspects of your case that you will have to establish to do that.
You must establish that:
- The other party had a duty to act with a certain level of care given the circumstances under which the accident occurred.
- The other party did not act with the care or responsibility that can be expected from the average person under similar circumstances.
- You, the victim, suffered as a result of that failure to act with a basic level of care for others on public roadways.
Accidents that Commonly Result in Spinal Cord Injuries
- Motorcycle accidents are the number one cause of spinal cord injuries
- Car accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Truck accidents
- Boat accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
The law does not leave spinal cord victims to suffer alone; rather, under certain circumstances, it deems them eligible for compensation, which is the reason why it is imperative to find a lawyer if you find yourself in such a situation. As per Florida laws, filing a personal injury lawsuit for spinal cord injuries has to be done within four years of the accident, which is ample time to identify witnesses, establish liability, and file a lawsuit. After the four year period is up, your legal right to sue for compensation is forfeited.
Are you in such a situation? If yes, then it is important you contact and seek legal advice and representation from a professional lawyer. Our spinal cord experts in Homestead, FL have the resources, expertise, and legal knowledge required to file a strong claim and fight for damages on your behalf.
File a Spinal Cord Injury Claim Today
Call us today at 305-928-2909 to speak with a spinal cord injury expert and to learn about evidence collection, negotiating with insurance companies, and obtaining the assistance and damages you need and are entitled to after suffering an injury as a result of the negligence of someone else.