A spinal cord injury can alter every aspect of your or a loved one’s life in an instant. Victims may face several challenges and injuries that can limit their mobility, independence, and overall ability to live a normal life, along with ongoing medical care.
Beyond the physical challenges, spinal cord injuries often create significant financial strain due to mounting medical bills and an inability to return to work.
If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, a spinal cord injury lawyer in Plantation can help you pursue compensation and hold the responsible party accountable. At Viles and Beckham, we have over 40 years of experience helping people with claims who have suffered all kinds of injuries and accidents. Reach out to our firm to speak to a Plantation personal injury lawyer for a free case evaluation.
What are Some of The Different Compensation Types I May Be Entitled to Recover?
Because spinal cord injuries often require lifelong medical care and support, victims may be entitled to significant compensation under Florida law. Potential compensation types may include:
- Medical expenses, current and future, including any surgeries, medications, hospice, caregiving costs, rehabilitation costs, and more.
- Assistive devices and mobility equipment.
- Lost wages, short-term and long-term, if you cannot work.
- Emotional distress and loss of quality of life.
- In-home nursing and caregiving costs.
Because every spinal cord injury case is unique, the types of compensation available and the amounts can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, such as the severity of the injury and insurance coverage. An experienced spinal cord attorney in Plantation can help evaluate the full value of your claim.
Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Claims
Florida law generally gives injured victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.
If you pass that date, it can mean losing essential evidence and may prevent you from recovering compensation for any expenses related to your injury.
Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible can help protect your rights and preserve important evidence.
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Why You Need a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Plantation
Spinal cord injury claims are among the most complex personal injury cases. But getting compensation can be challenging, even when victims face decades of medical treatment and life care expenses.
Figuring out what the true cost of a spinal cord injury is actually requires input from several different professionals. A lawyer can consult medical specialists, economists, vocational experts, and life care planners. Without proper representation, victims may accept settlements that fail to account for future medical needs, simply because they may not even be aware of what those will be themselves.
A Plantation spinal cord injury lawyer can gather evidence, work with expert witnesses, negotiate with insurers, and pursue compensation, based on the specific details of your case. Local representation can also be beneficial as you work with local courts and legal procedures.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Plantation
Spinal cord injuries frequently occur because of preventable accidents, sometimes caused by negligence. Here are some common causes of these injuries that may have been preventable:
Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Accidents
Truck, motorcycle, and car accidents are major causes of spinal cord injuries. When people are hit at high impact or are crushed by the weight of a vehicle, it can cause devastating impact to their spinal cord.
Slip and Falls
Slip and falls can cause serious spinal trauma, particularly for older adults or for those who have existing conditions. Wet floors, uneven walkways, poor lighting, and other hazards may lead to devastating injuries when property owners fail to maintain safe conditions.
Construction and Workplace Accidents
Construction sites and industrial workplaces often involve work that can expose workers to dangerous conditions. Falling hazards, machinery accidents, falls from heights, and other workplace accidents can all cause traumatic spinal cord injuries.
Acts of Violence
Gunshot wounds, assaults, and other violent acts can result in severe damage to the spinal cord. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and lifelong care.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
When looking at the extent of spinal cord injuries, there are generally two ways they can be classified: as either complete or incomplete. Whether a spinal cord injury is complete or incomplete can significantly affect a victim’s long-term prognosis, medical needs, and the value of a personal injury claim.
Complete Spinal Cord Injuries
A complete spinal cord injury involves a total loss of sensation and motor function below the site of the injury. Victims often experience permanent paralysis and require ongoing medical care and assistance with daily activities.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
An incomplete spinal cord injury means that a person has some level of sensation left after the spinal cord injury. While recovery can happen over time, it really depends on things like the extent of damage to the spinal cord and is different on a case-by-case basis.
Paraplegia vs. Tetraplegia
Paraplegia generally affects the lower half of the body, including the legs and lower torso. Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, affects all four limbs and often results in far greater medical and caregiving needs. The severity of paralysis can have a substantial impact on compensation in a spinal cord injury case.
A spinal cord injury attorney in Plantation will understand how to handle the legal process that comes with all kinds of accident types.
Contact a Plantation Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury, the legal road ahead may seem overwhelming, especially if you are actively recovering. This is where an experienced law firm can step in.
The team at Viles and Beckham is committed to helping spinal cord injury victims just like you throughout Plantation pursue the compensation you need for medical care, rehabilitation, and future security, based on the details of your case.
The first step is to reach out to our firm. Contact us today for a free consultation. We get results.