Call Us Today A severe spinal cord injury is a life-changing event. Between the growing stack of hospital invoices, physical therapy sessions, sudden drop in paychecks, and emotional stress, your whole family is likely feeling the effects.
Before you think about speaking to an insurance adjuster, it is highly recommended to consult with a Weston personal injury lawyer. At Viles & Beckman, our dedicated spinal cord injury lawyers serving Weston have 40+ years of combined experience, representing victims of devastating incidents.
We care for our clients like our own family, and we have successfully recovered over $118 million in compensation across our thousands of successful cases. Contact our legal team today to request your free consultation.
Understanding Negligence in a Weston Spinal Cord Injury Case
To successfully win a personal injury claim after a catastrophic incident, you have to prove that somebody else’s carelessness actually caused your harm. Spinal cord trauma usually comes from road traffic accidents, nasty falls, workplace accidents, acts of violence, sports and other recreational activities, or medical negligence.
Our Weston spinal cord injury attorneys know how to dig into these incidents. We figure out exactly how the at-fault party messed up and failed to keep you safe.
To prove negligence in Florida, you need to be able to prove four things:
- Duty of Care: The defendant had a legal obligation to act safely and not hurt you.
- Breach of Duty: The responsible party ignored that standard by acting recklessly or without due care.
- Causation: Their specific screw-up led directly to your spinal cord injury.
- Damages: The ordeal caused you to suffer real, measurable physical, emotional, and financial losses.
Expect More, Receive More: Legal Support That Feels Like Family
What Are the Four Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?
The spinal cord has four main, distinct sections, each of which houses nerves that control specific bodily functions.
Medical professionals categorize spinal injuries based on which of the following sections are damaged:
- Cervical (Neck, C1–C7): These injuries occur in the neck area, but also affect your arms, torso, and legs, often resulting in tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia). Severe injuries higher up in the neck may also make it difficult to breathe.
- Thoracic (Mid–back, T1–T12): An injury to this section will often cause paraplegia, a loss of movement and feeling in the lower half of the body. While your arms and hands will still work perfectly, core balance and stability are often affected.
- Lumbar (Lower back, L1–L5): Damage to this area impacts your lower body and legs, though the upper body remains unaffected. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may need mobility aids like a brace or a wheelchair.
- Sacral (Base of spine, S1–S5): This area is at the bottom of your spine, and injuries to this section affect the buttocks, legs, and hips. While total paralysis is uncommon, it may cause complications with your bowel, bladder, and sexual functions.
(239) 334-3933 What Compensation Can You Recover After a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury usually means a lifetime of medical care and massive adjustments to how you live your day-to-day life, with bills easily climbing into millions of dollars over the years. It is a crushing weight for any family to carry, which is why we are here to help reduce that weight by fighting for the maximum payout, based on your situation.
We will sit down with you and add up your past, current, and future losses. Depending on the severity of your injury, you could be owed two different types of compensation.
Economic Losses
Economic losses are any direct bills and expenses that are tied to the incident and your medical care.
Economic damages typically cover:
- Medical expenses, including emergency room visits, long hospital stays, operations, and rehab
- Home modifications and equipment, including wheelchairs
- Lost wages due to an inability to work while recovering
- Loss of earning capacity in both the present and future
Non-Economic Losses
Non-economic losses include any personal and emotional damages that came from your injury, including:
- Loss of enjoyment of life, such as no longer being able to perform activities you once enjoyed
- Emotional distress caused by the accident, including depression and anxiety
- Pain and discomfort as a direct result of the incident
- Loss of consortium, intimacy, support, or companionship with a spouse or partner
If the responsible party acted with severe carelessness or tried to cause harm deliberately, they may also have to pay punitive damages as punishment.
Click To ContactCan You Afford a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Serving Weston?
The financial strain of a catastrophic injury can make hiring a legal team feel out of reach. At Viles & Beckman, we believe that financial limitations should never stop you from seeking justice, which is why our legal team represents our clients on a strict contingency fee basis.
What does this mean for you? Simply, you don’t have to deal with upfront retainers or out-of-pocket costs just to get your case off the ground. Our team will invest the time and resources needed to build your claim, while you focus on healing.
We only collect attorney fees if we actually secure a financial settlement or jury award for you. If you’re wondering how to get a free lawyer consultation in Florida, contact us. We can discuss your options today.
The Statute of Limitations for a Florida Spinal Cord Injury Claim
Time is a critical factor when pursuing a legal claim after a catastrophic incident. In Florida, strict legal deadlines govern how long an injury victim has to file a civil lawsuit against a negligent party. If you miss this window, you will be permanently barred from seeking a financial recovery.
The timeline for most personal injury lawsuits is strictly governed by section 95.11 of the Florida Statutes. As of March 24, 2023, this law typically limits your window to file a lawsuit to two years from the date of your injury. However, the sooner you speak to a legal team, the better, as evidence can disappear, and witness memories can fade.
Protecting Your Rights After a Weston Spinal Cord Injury
The days and weeks following a catastrophic accident can be incredibly overwhelming; while you prioritize your physical health and recovery, you must also protect your legal claim. To do this, there are specific actions you should take and critical mistakes that you should avoid.
Below are the Dos and Don’ts.
Do
- Seek emergency medical care immediately
- Follow all treatment plans prescribed by medical professionals
- Keep copies of any related expenses, including medical bills
- Reach out to a spinal cord injury lawyer serving Weston
Don’t
- Speak with an insurance adjuster by yourself
- Post details about your accident or recovery online
- Stop attending physical therapy or medical appointments
- Accept an initial settlement offer without legal representation
Contact Viles & Beckman for Support Today
If a negligent party has caused you harm, you shouldn’t have to pay for their carelessness. Instead, contact Viles & Beckman, where our personal injury lawyers will fight for you as if you were a family member.
We have successfully recovered over $118 million across thousands of unique cases like yours. If you’re still wondering how to find a personal injury lawyer, contact us for a free consultation.
You can learn more about how we can support your recovery and help you get a fair settlement offer.
