If you have a severe spinal cord injury, the pain can be immense, and functioning in daily life can be exceedingly difficult. Spinal cord injuries can require expensive treatment that leaves you in financial distress, especially if you can’t work and can’t earn a living.
If you have pain and dysfunction from a recent spinal cord injury, you should speak to an Estero personal injury lawyer from Viles & Beckman.
If your injuries were the result of another party’s careless or negligent actions, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost work income, and other injury-related expenses.
Send us a message today to schedule a free case consultation with an Estero spinal cord injury lawyer.
Spinal Cord Injuries Can Cause a Lifetime of Complications
The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system and connects the brain to the rest of the body. This means spinal cord injuries can cause a wide range of physical and neurological symptoms, ranging from discomfort and weakness to full-blown paralysis.
Spinal cord injuries are also among the most painful when considering subjective pain reports from victims. Life may never be the same after a bad spinal cord injury, and the costs can be immense.
You may have expensive medical bills to contend with and lack the ability to earn a living. A lawyer can help you secure monetary relief for your injuries in the form of a settlement. With our assistance, you can seek the financial stability to cover your losses and provide for future treatments.
Expect More, Receive More: Legal Support That Feels Like Family
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Medical professionals commonly classify spinal cord injuries by their location and which vertebrae they affect. For example:
- Cervical spinal injuries are localized in the upper back and lower neck, where the spine connects to the skull.
- Thoracic spinal injuries are in the mid back and affect functioning in the chest, shoulders, and arms.
- Lumbar spinal cord injuries occur in the lower back and are likely to affect the legs and lower extremities.
Injuries to the spinal cord can also be classified based on the level of sensation they leave. A complete injury leaves no sensation or functionality below the injury site. An incomplete spinal cord injury leaves partial functioning or paralysis.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Estero
Under Florida law, you are entitled to file a personal injury claim against any party whose negligence was responsible for your injuries and losses. As such, a significant portion of spinal cord injury cases consists of investigating to discover the root cause of the accident.
Below are some common causes of spinal cord injuries we have seen in our practice:
- Motor vehicle accidents. Car accidents are a major cause of spinal cord injury, particularly rear-end accidents where impact forces are directed at the spine.
- Falls. Trip and fall accidents are a significant cause of spinal injuries in elderly populations and those who work from heights, like construction workers.
- Sports accidents. Contact sports and other extreme activities like ATV riding can cause spinal cord injuries.
- Violent altercations. Spinal cord injuries can also result from intentional violence, like gunshots or knife wounds.
- Medical malpractice. A negligent doctor or other medical professional can cause spinal cord damage through incorrect procedures, botched surgeries, or incorrect medications.
Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries
One challenge with spinal cord injury claims is that it can be difficult to account for all the long-term and hidden costs. Our Estero spinal cord injury lawyers aim to be as comprehensive as possible with compensation and will pursue money for your:
- Emergency medical bills and future medical expenses
- Lost income from missing work and reduced lifetime earning capacity
- Miscellaneous injury costs, like home modifications or specialized transportation
- Pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress
- Quality-of-life reductions from disfigurement
We have recovered over $100 million for injury clients and won’t compromise on your case just to get a quick win.
Time Limit for Filing a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit
In Florida, you normally have two years from the injury date to file a lawsuit for spinal cord injury. The main exception to this time limit is if the victim is a minor. In that case, the timer starts counting from the minor’s 18th birthday rather than the injury date.
Once the personal injury statute of limitations in Florida expires, you will lose any chance of suing for money. Two years seems like a long time, but it can pass quickly when dealing with the fallout of a severe injury.
The last thing you want is to lose your ability to sue for financial compensation, so you should talk to an attorney as soon as possible.
Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers in Estero
The team at Viles & Beckman has over 40 years of legal experience in personal injury law and has helped numerous victims with spinal cord injuries. You can count on us to fight for your interests and well-being, no matter the details of your case.
We understand the severity of spinal cord injuries and won’t rest until we have exhausted every avenue to a satisfactory outcome. Contact our offices online or call today to speak to an Estero spinal cord injury lawyer.