Spinal injuries are life-altering.
We want to help you after a back or spinal cord injury.
Your spine is one of the most important parts of your body, protecting the spinal cord and related nerve roots. Your ability to move, stand upright, sit up, and lay down effectively, originates from your spinal strength and mobility. This is why a severe back or spinal cord injury can be one of the most harrowing experience an individual could be forced to endure, even if it doesn’t lead to paralysis. Adapting to a new way of life after such an injury can often take years, especially without the support and financial means to develop a consistent rehabilitation routine. These frustrations are compounded when the back and spinal injuries have resulted from the negligence of someone else, but there is hope.
The team at GOLDLAW is here to help when you need a West Palm Beach spinal cord injury lawyer. We will not hesitate to fully investigate every aspect of your claim, handle communication with every other party involved, and get to work on recovering the compensation you are entitled to.
Why Choose GOLDLAW for Help After a Spinal Cord Injury?
At GOLDLAW, we know how devastating a back or spinal cord injury can be. We also understand your legal rights and are not only dedicated to getting you the maximum amount of compensation possible but also to helping you find recovery and rehabilitation solutions.
- We have an extensive network of resources to use against aggressive insurance carriers and the at-fault party in your case.
- We always put the client first, which means you will always have access to your attorney when you have questions or concerns you need to be addressed.
- We handle spinal cord injury claims in West Palm Beach on a contingency fee basis, which means you will not pay any legal fees until after we successfully recover the compensation you need.
Spinal Cord Injury Case Types
It is estimated there are about 17,500 new spinal cord injuries each year in the US. Spinal cord injuries may occur at any age, but more than half happen to people between the ages of 16 and 30. In older adults, falls are a common cause of spinal cord injuries, but overall, the most common cause is auto accidents.
Other causes of back and spinal cord injuries may include:
- Large truck and other motor vehicle accidents
- Sports injuries, particularly from contact sports like football
- Explosive blasts and other combat injuries
- Falling from and an elevated height and landing on your back
- Being struck by a heavy object
- Crush injuries, like those sustained on a job site or during a building or large structure collapse
- Penetrating wounds to the back
- Gunshots wound in the back and spine
- Heavy machinery accidents
A back or spinal cord injury can lead to chronic pain and, in some cases, disability. When an injury occurs, you may have to deal with repeating hospital and doctor visits. If the injury is severe, missing work and even the threat of job loss are real possibilities. Back and spinal cord injuries can also result in permanent disability, including paralysis. They may be career-ending for those whose work requires the ability to walk and perform other physical tasks. At the same time, insurance companies work to minimize the compensation they pay out.
Our team of back and spinal cord injury lawyers at GOLDLAW understand your legal rights. We are deeply committed to getting you the maximum amount of compensation possible, so that you can recover from your injuries and return to your life as soon as possible.
Long Term Effect of Spinal Cord Injuries
In the short term, back and spinal cord injuries can cause pain, discomfort, and expensive medical bills if you are hospitalized. You may have to go through rigorous rehabilitation each day in an effort to regain your mobility. In the long term, you may deal with chronic pain that makes it hard to work. Or, you may suffer permanent disability that stops you from working entirely.
Injury of back or spinal cord can lead to:
- Paralysis
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
Getting a diagnosis for your back injury may be difficult, especially with soft tissue injuries that are hard to see on medical scans. A spinal fracture may be easier to see on an X-ray, but chronic pain after the fracture heals may be more difficult to diagnose. Many patients have to seek out multiple doctors to get the diagnosis and treatment they need.
Your home and social life may be impacted by these injuries. You may no longer be able to play with your kids or do your usual chores around the house. It can be frustrating if you can no longer play recreational sports with your friends, or engage in physical activities like hiking or dancing.
Meanwhile, you may have difficulty working or going to school due to chronic pain and/or disability. If your job is very physical or involves heavy lifting, you may find yourself completely unable to work, with medical bills piling up.
Outpatient therapy can be helpful for many with back injuries, but it can also be expensive and time-consuming. If you’re unable to work, you may find it very difficult to afford.
The back and spinal cord injury attorneys at the GOLDLAW will take the time to investigate the details of your case and work alongside you to determine the most advantageous legal strategy to pursue to obtain the most compensation possible for your injuries.
The True Costs of a Spinal Cord Injury
It can be challenging to understand the true costs of a spinal cord injury. These costs not only include the massive medical bills associated with spinal cord trauma but also must factor in lifestyle changes caused by the injury.
Information from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) shows that the first year of medical costs for a spinal cord injury can range anywhere from approximately $375,000 to nearly $1.2 million, depending on the severity of the injury. Additionally, each subsequent year of medical treatment Can range anywhere from around $45,000 to approximately $200,000. The overall lifetime cost of medical care for a spinal cord injury victim will typically reach into the millions of dollars.
However, other factors must be included, such as:
- Current lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity for the victim
- Lost wages associated with a family member who now is a caregiver
- The cost of modifying any vehicle or homes to help with mobility
- The cost of in-home medical treatment
These are more measurable losses associated with a spinal cord injury, but the immeasurable losses are tremendous. This includes the spinal cord injury victim’s physical pain and suffering, emotional and psychological trauma, as well as their loss of quality of life.
Liability & Damage Recovery
There are many ways that a person or institution’s negligence may lead to a devastating back or spinal injury. These range from car accidents to job site or work accidents to negligent security in a public place leading to gunshot injuries. The party responsible is then liable for bodily injury that occurs as a result of their negligence. If you or a loved one have suffered a back or spinal cord injury, the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. may be able to help you obtain the compensation that you are entitled to.
There are several kinds of damages that may be awarded in a back and spinal cord injury lawsuit. These include:
- Future damages, like loss of income and future medical costs
- Compensatory damages, for things like pain and suffering, disability, and mental anguish
- Hospital and Other Medical Bills
- Lost Wages
- Hedonic damages, for loss of enjoyment of life (many people who suffer TBIs develop depression as a result)
- Punitive damages, which are awarded when the defendant’s actions were especially reckless events that cause head or brain injuries may also cause additional difficulties.
- Pain and Suffering
- Costs of Future Care
Don’t expect the insurance company to offer you a fair amount for your back or spinal cord injury. Insurance agents and adjusters work on behalf of the insurance company. In the case of back injuries, they often try to make a lowball offer right away after your injury, in the hopes you’ll accept before you realize how much your future medical bills and/or lost income are really going to cost. It is important that you never agree to or accept a settlement offer from an insurance company without first speaking with an experienced West Palm Beach back and spinal cord injuries attorney.
Call a West Palm Beach Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today
If you or somebody you love has sustained a spinal cord injury caused by the negligent actions of another party in the West Palm Beach area, we encourage you to reach out to an attorney immediately. A spinal cord injury lawyer can examine the facts of your case, conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, and work diligently to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. If necessary, your lawyer will fully prepare to take your case to trial.
For more information, contact GOLDLAW, or call (561) 222-2222 today.