Call Us Today If you have suffered a spinal cord injury, you know how serious a situation you are in. Your career, your role in your family, and your goals for the future are all uncertain. Regaining as much independence as possible is probably your top concern, but money may also be an issue.
You may have tremendous medical bills, now and in the future. If your accident happened because of the actions of another party, you shouldn’t be left with the financial burden for their mistakes. Our Marco Island spinal cord injury lawyers can help you hold them accountable.
Viles & Beckman has recovered more than $100 million in awards and settlements for injured accident victims in Florida. Find out how our Marco Island personal injury lawyers will help with your case when you call for your free consultation. We are the 5-Star Law Firm.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury damages the spinal cord, which runs from the neck to the lower back. Depending on how serious the injury is and where it happens, it can cause temporary problems or long-lasting effects, including partial or complete paralysis.
Spinal cord damage is potentially in the category of a catastrophic injury, meaning it can have lasting effects that cause significant functional disability. Our Marco Island spinal cord injury attorneys will work to recover your current and future damages.
Expect More, Receive More: Legal Support That Feels Like Family
What Compensation Can You Get for a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?
Because the impact of a spinal cord injury can be so severe, they often result in large settlements, sometimes in the millions of dollars. Ultimately, it depends on the extent of your injury and how it is expected to affect your life. You could recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care costs
- Lost wages
- Home alterations
- Adaptive medical equipment
- Job retraining
- Pain and suffering
In some circumstances, where the liable party has acted with extreme negligence or illegally, a court may award punitive damages. These are designed to punish the defendant rather than compensate you.
(239) 334-3933 Can I Get Workers’ Comp for a Spinal Cord Injury?
You can get workers’ compensation for a spinal cord injury only if you were hurt at your job. You usually can’t sue your employer for a workplace injury. However, you may be able to sue a third party if their negligence caused your spinal cord injury at work.
If your injury happened outside of your work environment and not while performing your job duties, you won’t be able to get workers’ comp in most cases. You must instead pursue a personal injury claim for your spinal cord injury.
Click To ContactWhat Is Modified Comparative Negligence in Florida?
Florida personal injury claims work on a system called modified comparative negligence, which says that a person can receive compensation for an injury even if they were partly responsible for the accident. Your award is simply reduced based on your percentage of fault.
If a court determines you were 20% responsible for the accident, you may only recover 80% of the damages you would have otherwise been entitled to. However, if you are more than 50% responsible, you are barred from recovering any compensation at all.
This rule can be helpful in some cases, but it also opens the door for insurance companies that may try to unjustly blame you for the accident to avoid paying your full claim. Our team will fight for you when insurers try such unfair tactics.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
There are specific deadlines for filing personal injury claims, so don’t put off contacting an attorney after your accident. In Florida, you have two years to bring a personal injury lawsuit for a spinal injury case, as per FS § 95.11. Miss this date, and you typically lose your right to sue.
Various exceptions can come into play, depending on the specifics of your accident and injury. Our spinal cord injury lawyers in Marco Island can help you understand the deadlines you are under and make sure your claim and paperwork are submitted on time.
Consult with Our Marco Island Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys
A catastrophic injury that damages your spinal cord is difficult to accept, especially when it occurs due to another person’s actions. When an insurance company delays or denies your claim, no one could blame you for feeling frustrated and maybe even angry.
You can take action to begin to reclaim your life, and our Marco Island spinal cord injury attorneys are here to help. We will investigate your accident to discover all liable parties and hold them accountable for your hardships.
Since 1995, Viles & Beckman has advocated for those who were injured due to no fault of their own. Our team will fight for the compensation you deserve, and you pay nothing unless we win. Call today to schedule your free consultation and tell us about your injury.
