Spinal cord trauma can seriously disrupt your life. If you’ve experienced it as a result of someone else’s negligence, a Norfolk personal injury lawyer can help you pursue damages.
Spinal trauma can impact your health, mobility, and financial stability. In the aftermath of such a traumatic event, it’s natural to be uncertain about the next steps.
Since 2011, The Pendleton Law Team has recovered millions for Virginians. If you’ve sustained spinal cord damage that wasn’t your fault, a Norfolk spinal cord injury lawyer from our team can build a case and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Can a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Do for Me?
Spinal cord damage cases can be complex and time-consuming. A knowledgeable attorney can offer invaluable support by:
- Investigating the cause of the accident
- Gathering and presenting evidence
- Calculating fair compensation for your losses
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Representing you in court (if necessary)
An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer in Norfolk can enable you to focus on your recovery while a professional handles your case.
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What Types of Compensation Can I Receive for a Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
Spinal cord injury victims may be entitled to several types of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses: These include past, present, and future treatment costs.
- Lost wages: This refers to compensation for time missed from work.
- Loss of earning capacity: These are damages for diminished future income.
- Pain and suffering: This refers to compensation for physical and emotional distress.
- Home care costs: This includes reimbursement for personal assistance or nursing care.
A Norfolk spinal cord injury attorney can explain the types of damages you may be able to recover through a personal injury claim and fight for them on your behalf.
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What is the Time Limit for Filing a Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Virginia?
Virginia’s statute of limitations for spinal cord damage cases is two years from the date of the incident. If you miss this deadline, you could forfeit your right to compensation.
An attorney can ensure you meet every legal deadline relevant to your case.
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How is Negligence Determined in a Spinal Cord Injury Case?
To prove negligence in a case involving spinal cord trauma, you must establish the following:
- Duty of care: The responsible party had a legal obligation to act safely.
- Breach of duty: They failed to meet that obligation.
- Causation: Their actions directly caused your spinal cord trauma.
- Damages: You suffered losses as a result.
An attorney can gather evidence, consult with experts, and build a compelling case to prove the other party’s liability.
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Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord trauma can occur in a variety of situations, often due to accidents or negligence. Some common causes include:
- Car accidents: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and even bicycle accidents can result in severe spinal damage.
- Slips and falls: Falls from heights or unsafe premises can lead to devastating spinal trauma.
- Workplace accidents: Industrial and construction jobs pose significant risks.
- Sports injuries: Contact sports or recreational activities can cause traumatic impacts.
- Medical malpractice: Surgical errors or improper treatment may lead to permanent damage.
If you’ve sustained spinal cord trauma in one of these ways, a lawyer can fight for your rights and help you pursue the maximum compensation available to you.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord trauma can be classified based on the location and type of damage. Complete injuries involve total loss of motor and sensory function below the injury site. Incomplete injuries involve partial loss of function, allowing for some mobility or sensation.
Common types of incomplete injuries include anterior cord syndrome, central cord syndrome, and Brown-Séquard syndrome.
Severity Levels of Spinal Cord Injuries
The severity of spinal cord trauma depends on its location and intensity. Injuries are often grouped into four categories:
- Cervical (neck): This type of damage often results in paralysis (quadriplegia).
- Thoracic (upper back): This type of damage affects the torso and legs, potentially causing paraplegia.
- Lumbar (lower back): This type of damage may impair mobility and bowel/bladder control.
- Sacral (pelvic area): This type of damage usually impacts lower body functioning but can allow for walking with assistance.
An attorney can explain the damages that may be available to you based on the severity of your spinal trauma.
How Does the VA Rate Spinal Cord Injuries?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates spinal cord trauma based on the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). Ratings are assigned as a percentage to reflect the extent of the disability and its impact on daily life and earning capacity.
Key factors include:
- Severity of the trauma: Higher ratings are given for injuries affecting higher levels of the spine (such as cervical injuries).
- Functional limitations: Ratings account for motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction, such as loss of movement, sensation, or bladder and bowel control.
- Secondary conditions: Complications like respiratory issues, pressure sores, or depression may increase the overall rating.
The VA uses medical records, examinations, and diagnostic tests to determine the appropriate rating. Depending on their individual needs, veterans may also qualify for benefits like aid and attendance or specially adapted housing grants.
What are the Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?
Symptoms of spinal cord trauma can vary from patient to patient. That said, they often include:
- Loss of movement or sensation in limbs
- Intense pain or pressure in the back or neck
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Muscle weakness or spasms
If you’ve suffered spinal cord damage, you must seek medical attention right away to prevent further damage. The medical documentation that’s created could also be crucial to your case.
How Much Does it Cost to Treat a Spinal Cord Injury?
Treating spinal cord trauma can be extraordinarily expensive. Costs often include emergency care, rehabilitation, medical equipment (such as wheelchairs and braces), home modifications, and long-term medical care.
Lifetime costs for spinal cord trauma can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the severity of the damage. An experienced attorney can assess your case and help you pursue compensation to cover your medical expenses.
What is the Average Life Expectancy After a Spinal Cord Injury?
Life expectancy after spinal cord damage depends on the severity of the trauma and the quality of care you receive.
Advances in medical treatment and rehabilitation have significantly improved outcomes for individuals with spinal cord trauma. However, their life expectancy may still be shorter than that of the general population.
Factors that can influence your lifespan after spinal cord damage include:
- Injury level: High cervical injuries generally have a more significant impact on life expectancy than lower-level or incomplete damage.
- Access to care: Regular medical follow-ups, therapy, and preventive care can improve your quality of life and longevity.
- Secondary complications: Risks such as infections, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular problems can influence life expectancy.
An experienced attorney can make sure that the damages you receive cover your past and future medical expenses.
Contact a Norfolk Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Today
Spinal cord trauma can be devastating, particularly when the accident that caused it wasn’t your fault. It can take months of rehabilitation to get partial function back, and you may never fully heal.
If someone else’s negligence caused your spinal cord trauma, you shouldn’t be on the hook for the associated costs. A spinal cord injury attorney from The Pendleton Law Team can evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and help you seek financial compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has suffered spinal cord trauma, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. A lawyer from The Pendleton Law Team can provide the representation you need to secure your future. Schedule a free consultation today to begin pursuing justice.
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