Spinal cord injuries are among the most expensive types of injury to treat and often involve multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. Individuals who have suffered from a spinal injury must contend with long-term rehabilitation expenses, lost income, and a lower quality of life.
At Morgan & Morgan, we are committed to helping victims of spinal cord injuries recover financially after an accident, and have a history success in representing these victims, which includes a $3.1 million settlement on behalf of a child who was rendered paraplegic. Our Jonesboro office may be able to help you with your claim.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses. Arkansas law sets a time limit for how long after an accident spinal injury victims may file a lawsuit, so it is important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible. Please fill out our free case evaluation form to contact a Jonesboro spinal cord injury lawyer today.
Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuits Arise from Many Types of Accidents
The Jonesboro 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
- Chiropractic Accidents and Other Types of Medical Malpractice.
Spinal Cord Injuries at Work
Employees who suffered a back or spinal cord injury at work may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, which provide wage replacement and medical benefits to employees who are injured in the course of employment.
In Arkansas, a worker must report the workplace injury to the 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 workers’ compensation.
For workplace spinal cord injuries, it is important that that the victim retain a lawyer immediately following the accident. Workers’ 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, an Arkansas 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, an Arkansas attorney can review the facts of your case to determine if any third parties, such as a product manufacturer, contributed to your injuries.
Why Do I Need a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney?
In many lawsuits involving spinal cord injuries, the wrongdoer insurance company may offer the victim a quick, and usually inadequate, settlement to avoid a proper damages award.
For this reason, it is essential for a spinal injury victim to retain an attorney with significant experience in navigating an insurance company’s settlement tactics.
At Morgan & Morgan’s Jonesboro office, our attorneys have the resources needed to fully investigate the circumstances of the injury and the ability to clearly articulate the value of the damages to a jury or settling insurance company.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, it is important to retain an attorney immediately after the accident to ensure available evidence is collected and reviewed as soon as possible.
What Will an Attorney Do During the Investigation?
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 workers’ compensation program(for workplace accidents).
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.
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:
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.
Noneconomic Damages: Noneconomic 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.
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.
To find out how our Jonesboro spinal injury attorneys can help you take the next step, fill out our free case evaluation form today.