A spinal cord injury is typically caused by a sudden and severe blow to the spine, such as an auto accident. This type of injury can be a terrible and life altering event. One impact can cause you to lose your good health and the ability to enjoy day-to-day life.
A spinal cord injury, basically, is damage to the spinal cord. The spinal cord is made up of nerves that run from your brain down to your lower back. The bones in your spine help protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord delivers information from the brain to the rest of your body; this information allows you to move and to feel. An injury to the spinal cord can stop the flow of information below the site of the injury. The closer the injury is to the brain, the more areas of the body can be affected.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are most common after an accident or other traumatic event however that is not the only way they occur. The failure to properly diagnose or treat a disease can also result in a spinal cord injury. Often, this involves a spinal cord abscess that is not recognized by a doctor and is allowed to progress, causing permanent damage. Some other common causes of spinal cord injuries are:
Spinal cord injuries can be devastating and some of the most severe injuries that an individual can survive. When an accident leaves a victim with a spinal cord injury, the damage is done not only to that victim but also to the victim's family, friends, and work life. A victim might find themselves in need of medical treatment but without the means to pay for it. The bills may start piling up without any income to pay them. Even a victim's home might no longer fit their needs after a spinal cord injury.
When should I file a spinal cord injury claim?
After a spinal cord injury in Woodland Hills, contact an experienced spinal cord injury attorney immediately. A Woodland Hills spinal cord injury lawyer can offer critical advice that will help you better understand when to file your claim. That attorney can also collect crucial evidence regarding your claim.
Allow the lawyer to investigate your claim. In some cases, including auto accidents and construction accidents, multiple parties might share liability for your injuries. A total investigation, including viewing witness statements and even talking to an expert witness, can help give a better idea of how much compensation you are entitled to and who caused your injuries.
Heal before settling. It can take up to six months for your doctors to have a solid idea of how much mobility and function you will recover, particularly in the case of incomplete spinal cord injury. Your lawyer might advise waiting until you move further via that recovery before settling your Woodland Hills spinal cord injury claim, since the extent of your healing as well as the extent of your medical expenses can contribute to the compensation you are entitled to.
Who bears responsibility for the spinal cord injury I suffered in Woodland Hills?
Spinal cord injuries can occur in many different types of accidents: construction accidents, slip and fall accidents, auto accidents, and product liability accidents, for instance.
The party that caused your accident must:
In many accidents, multiple parties share liability for the victim's injuries. Consult our experienced Woodland Hills spinal cord injury lawyers to provide you a better idea of all parties who contributed to your accident.
How much compensation do I deserve for a spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injuries bring with them significant medical bills, and many victims get significant awards. You can not, however, predict the extent of your award based on what other parties have obtained for spinal cord injuries in the past.
A Woodland Hills spinal cord injury lawyer can provide you with an idea of how much compensation you should expect based on:
Contact a Woodland Hills Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
At Drake Law Firm, we understand how one accident can change an entire life. When you have been injured by the negligence of another, you may be able to bring a civil case for your damages. The first step to understanding your legal rights should be contacting a personal injury attorney who takes on spinal cord injury claims. If you or a loved one has sustained a spinal cord injury, request a Free Case Consultation or call (844) 513-7253 to speak with an attorney now.