Accidents and injuries come without warning and can occur at any time, leaving their victims with catastrophic physical injuries and hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. While most injuries are recoverable with adequate medical and surgical care and physical therapy, some injuries are far too severe to be treated and might not have any treatment at all. Of all possible accident-related injuries, neck and back fractures are inarguably the most dangerous, since they can result in permanent damage to the spinal cord and render a person unable to perform functions of daily life without assistance.
If you or your loved one suffers from a spinal cord injury in an accident that resulted from someone else’s negligence, you might be able to file a lawsuit against the liable party to recover damages for your physical and financial suffering. Most reputable law firms offer free initial legal consultation with a contingency model, which means that the plaintiff is only required to pay if their legal team successfully defends their claim in a court of law. You should consult an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer after your accident to protect your legal rights and ensure that you will receive the compensation you deserve for your damages.
Spinal Cord Damage
Spinal cord damage is one of the gravest consequences of accident-related physical injury and most commonly results from injury to the neck or back. High-impact car crashes, falling from a high altitude, gunshot wounds to the spine, and sporting accidents can all result in damage to the back, unavoidably injuring the spinal cord and rendering a person permanently impaired. Their permanent nature is why such injuries are classified as catastrophic injuries in the law.
Located inside the vertebral column, the spinal cord is protected by bone, cartilage, and ligaments and is the second component of the central nervous system besides the brain. The spinal cord is not only an essential neural center for conducting nerve impulses but also mediates some of the most important reflexive functions of the human body, including urination, defecation, swallowing, walking, feeling different sensations like pain and temperature, and more.
If the vertebral column gets injured due to a fracture in an accident, it can cause significant damage to the spinal cord. Since nerves are permanent structures that do not possess the power of healing, such injuries can result in permanent incapacitation, cause a person to lose their physical autonomy, and significantly impair their quality of life.
Proving Negligence in Spinal Cord Cases
If you believe that your accident resulted from the negligence of another party, whether an individual or a business entity, you can sue them to recover compensation for your physical, emotional, and monetary damages. The amount of monetary compensation you can potentially recover from such a lawsuit is dependent on the type of negligence law practiced in the state where your accident occurred. In the states where the law of comparative negligence is observed, the number of recoverable damages gets reduced by the percentage of your fault for the accident. If you wish to pursue legal action, you should stay up to date regarding the statute of limitations for such lawsuits in your concerned state.
Conclusion
If you or your loved one acquired an injury in an accident that damaged the spinal cord, you might be able to sue the negligent party. It is essential to consult an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer who will help you gather the necessary evidence and build a successful legal strategy to seek justice for your injuries.
