Spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating injuries that could happen to a person. This injury disrupts signals between your brain and body, which can cause paralysis and weakness.
A spinal cord injury often causes permanent loss of strength, sensation, and function below the site of the injury. Approximately 17,000 spinal cord injury cases occur each year, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center.
Vehicle crashes are currently the leading cause of injury, followed by falls, acts of violence (primarily gunshot wounds), and sports/recreation activities. At Morgan & Morgan, our spinal injury lawyers realize that it is their job to educate the defense on our client’s damages, and provide evidence as to why they are responsible for these losses.
We have helped a countless number of clients pursue claims for medical bills, lost wages and other damages to help them regain financial stability following an unexpected accident. If you or a loved one is suffering severe economic and physical distress because of a spinal injury, our Bowling Green spinal cord injury attorneys can help.
Fill out our free case evaluation form today to find out how our attorneys may be able to help you seek financial compensation.
Types of Spinal Cord Accidents
The Bowling Green attorneys at Morgan & Morgan have experience handling spinal cord injury lawsuits arising out of many different types of accidents, including:
- Car accidents;
- Slip and Falls;
- Swimming Pool Accidents;
- Defective Products, Including Seatbelts and Airbags;
- Workplace and Construction Accidents;
- Commercial Trucking Accidents;
- Altercations and Acts of Violence;
- Boating Accidents;
- Sports Injuries;
- Elevator and Escalator Injuries;
- Motorcycle Accidents; and
- Incidents of Chiropractic and Other Types of Medical Malpractice.
In the case of a severe spinal cord injury, an attorney may prepare a life care plan to determine the costs of providing quality medical care and household services over the course of the victim’s lifetime.
Spinal Cord Injuries at Work
Employees who suffered a back or spinal cord injury at work may qualify for worker’s compensation benefits, which provide wage replacement and medical benefits to employees who are injured in the course of employment.
In Kentucky, a worker must report the workplace injury to his or her employer within 30 days of the accident. Even if an employee does not think he or she is seriously injured, the worker should report the accident to the employer immediately.
It is against the law for an employer to terminate or threaten to terminate an employee who has filed an accident report or a claim for worker’s compensation. For workplace spinal cord injuries, it is important that the victim retain a lawyer immediately following the accident. Worker’s compensation forms can be confusing and any errors on these forms may result in a denied claim or otherwise limit the amount of benefits the worker will receive.
If you suffered a spinal cord or back injury at work, a Bowling Green attorney can sit down with you and make sure that all paperwork is accurately completed and promptly submitted. In the case of a denied claim, an attorney may be able to assist with an appeal. Furthermore, a Bowling Green attorney can review the facts of your case to determine if any third parties, such as a product manufacturer, contributed to your injuries.
Damages Available in Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuits
Damages recovered through a personal injury lawsuit can help ease the financial burdens associated with a catastrophic spinal cord accident and help ensure that the victim will have a lifetime of quality medical care.
The following types of damages are typically available in a spinal cord injury lawsuit:
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Economic Damages: A spinal cord injury lawsuit can help a victim recover payment for economic damages such as past and future medical bills, lost income, and rehabilitation expenses. In addition, spinal cord injury lawsuits may recover damages for transportation costs, such as the cost of a driver or the cost of a new vehicle that can accommodate the condition of a spinal cord injury victim.
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Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by the injury. A spinal cord injury victim may also be entitled to damages for loss of consortium if the injury affects the victim’s ability to engage in physical relationships.
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Punitive Damages: When a defendant’s behavior is particularly egregious, the court may award punitive damages. Punitive damages aim to deter others from engaging in the kind of reckless behavior that caused the victim harm. Furthermore, if a spinal cord injury results in death, the victim’s spouse or family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for medical bills, loss of income, emotional grief, and other damages.
How Can an Attorney Help?
A spinal cord injury attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident, the parties who may be liable, and the extent of the victim’s injuries.
As part of this investigation, the spinal cord injury attorney may:
- Conduct witness interviews;
- Review medical records, gather evidence, photograph the scene of the accident;
- Work with orthopedic surgeons, pain management specialists, and vocational rehabilitation experts to assess the injuries suffered and develop a treatment plan;
- Work with financial planners to calculate the value of expected future loss wages and income; and
- Determine whether the victim is covered by a worker’s compensation program (for workplace accidents).
If you or a loved one suffered a severe spine or back injury, fill out our free, no-risk case evaluation form today. Our Bowling Green spinal injury attorneys will evaluate your case to determine how we may be able to help you.