Spinal cord injuries can be a terrifying experience for victims. In the extreme, victims face the very real possibility of a loss of sensation, control, and mobility to part or all of their body. Following any accident that causes a spinal cord injury, the victims and their families could be left dealing with extensive medical care, lost financial stability, and the trauma that this tragic change to their lives brings.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to the negligence of another, our Montgomery spinal cord injury lawyer at The Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown may be able to help. Our catastrophic injury lawyer can examine your case and explain your legal options to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and possibly more. Call our office today for a free case consultation.
The Financial Impact a Spinal Cord Injury Will Have on You and Your Family
The injuries that you suffer in an accident and their financial impact on your life are legally referred to as damages. Additionally, damages are typically categorized as economic and non-economic. Economic damages are direct financial losses. They are easily quantified with bills, receipts, invoices, and financial records. Non-economic losses are more subjective. They represent a loss in your quality of life. They require alternative methods for converting those losses into a numerical dollar value.
As a spinal cord injury victim, you and your family will be able to pursue damages. Spinal cord injury damages often include the following:
- Medical expenses: These damages relate to any healthcare you require immediately after the accident, any follow-up treatment during your recovery, and long-term care for permanent injuries. They can include emergency services, surgeries, doctor’s visits, rehabilitation costs, therapy sessions, and transportation.
- Accommodations and modifications: In addition to medical bills, you may require changes to your home and car to accommodate your injury. This could include ramps, a new vehicle, and in-home nursing.
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity: Depending upon the severity of your injury, you may be out of work temporarily or permanently. If you can work, you may have to change the type of work you perform. These damages recognize these losses and changes to your income potential.
- Damaged or destroyed property: You may claim damages for any personal items that require repairs or replacement following the accident. This includes cars, clothes, and phones.
- Pain and suffering: This non-economic damage represents the impact on your quality of life. It accounts for the physical pain you experienced and endured from the accident, as well as the emotional distress. It represents such issues as anxiety, chronic pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If you are unable to do the activities and hobbies you once enjoyed, you can request compensation for this loss in your life.
- Loss of consortium and guidance: The effect that your spinal cord injury has on your relationships with your spouse, parents, and children is also a viable damage for which you may request compensation.
These damages are to help you regain financial stability and provide for any future needs you require to recover from and live with your injury, and our Montgomery spinal cord injury attorney can help ensure your claim covers the full scope of your losses. There may be more damages you could request in an insurance claim. In addition to the many types of damages, your compensation will also be influenced by several factors. Two such factors are the nature and severity of the injury and the time you require to heal or reach your best recovery. Our lawyer can review the injuries and losses you have suffered as a result of the accident and calculate a fair settlement value that will address each damage.