A spinal cord injury can be caused by trauma to the vertebrae, ligaments, or spinal column disks. Those who suffer from spinal cord damage often have permanent and debilitating problems including loss of movement, loss of sensation and control, respiratory issues, changes in sexual function, and more.
If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury, please contact the San Diego personal injury attorneys at CaseyGerry today for a free case evaluation.
San Diego Spinal Cord Injury Claims
If someone else caused your spinal cord injuries, you might have a claim for compensation. We know that spinal cord injuries can be devastating and life-changing. We also know that spinal cord injury sufferers have a better chance of recovering from and living with their spinal injuries than ever before with medical and technological advances.
Unfortunately, sophisticated treatments that are often required for spinal cord injuries are expensive, and so is the cost of necessary ongoing medical care. To secure maximum compensation and ensure that your future medical expenses are covered, you need a personal injury attorney who has experienced handling spinal cord injury cases.
Thousands of Americans Are Suffering from Spinal Cord Injury
There are about 288,000 individuals living with a spinal cord injury in the United States, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Database. Other organizations, such as the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, estimate that number to be higher – finding that as many as 450,000 people live with this type of injury.
About 17,700 new people sustain a spinal cord injury in the United States each year. When those injuries occur as a result of another person’s carelessness or negligence, we can hold them accountable.
Common Types Of Spinal Cord Injuries in San Diego Lawsuits
Spinal cord injuries are complete or incomplete. When someone suffers a loss of all function and feeling below the injury location, it is known as a complete spinal cord injury. An incomplete spinal cord injury means that some level of movement and feeling are maintained below the injury’s location.
Spinal cord injuries are located in one of four areas of the spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. These injuries can be temporary or permanent, and the injury’s impact on each person can range from mild to moderate or severe.
Common Causes Of Spinal Cord Injuries
Common Causes Of Spinal Cord InjuriesThe leading cause of spinal cord injuries is automobile accidents, followed by falls, violence, and sports injuries. A high number of people experience spinal cord injuries in workplace accidents, especially those involved in dangerous industries, such as construction and maritime work. Other causes of spinal cord injuries include aviation accidents and defective consumer products.
Spinal Cord Injuries And Medical Expenses in San Diego, California
Due to the complexities involved with spinal cord injuries, these cases are different from other types of personal injury cases. Many patients require extensive medical treatment, physical therapy, and rehabilitation for years after an accident, and in some cases, lifelong medical care is necessary. Medical bills can quickly add up to millions of dollars.
Because of the tremendous costs for injury accommodations and treatment, it is critical to recover compensation that supports your past, ongoing, and future medical care. Medical and financial experts can offer testimony about your anticipated medical needs and the associated costs.
Accurately valuing the lifetime costs of treating your injury is an essential component of your case. When anticipated medical costs are undervalued in personal injury cases, injured parties often need medical treatment that they cannot afford and end up with bills that they cannot pay.
Physical Impacts Of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries impact people in different ways, depending on the type and extent of injuries sustained. Common injury symptoms include the following:
- Loss of feeling and sensation
- Loss of movement and control
- Spastic movements
- Breathing difficulties
- Problems with body temperature regulation
- Blood clots
- Blood pressure and heart rate issues
- Stomach ulcers
- Trouble swallowing
- Bedsores
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Pain
- Loss of sexual function
- Fertility problems
Injury symptoms and complications can disrupt regular day-to-day life. Those with spinal cord injuries may be unable to care for children or participate in physical activities. Some people experience a loss of independence due to being unable to drive or care for themselves. The ability to travel and participate in social activities can also be impacted after a spinal cord injury.
Lost Earnings And Earning Potential & How it Affects Your San Diego Claim
Many people miss work after a spinal cord injury due to necessary medical treatment, pain, and physical restrictions. Under a personal injury claim, you may be entitled to compensation for past and current wages that you have been unable to earn due to your injuries.
Lost earning potential may also be recovered if your injuries are permanent, and you cannot return to work. Even if you can return to work in some capacity, your injuries may limit your earning potential. A sudden and unexpected loss of income can be financially devastating for injury victims and their families.
Any settlement agreement that you accept should contemplate your lost income so that you and your family have some financial security. Financial experts can help calculate and demonstrate the value of your lost earning potential.
Noneconomic Damages Related To Your Injuries
Noneconomic damages are sometimes referred to as emotional damages. These losses are more challenging to calculate than economic damages because there is no established monetary value. Those who have suffered spinal cord injuries often experience significant noneconomic damages, including loss of enjoyment of life, physical pain, mental suffering, and emotional distress.
How We Can Help with San Diego Spinal Cord Injury Cases
Our law firm has decades of experience helping injured clients recover compensation for their losses. We have contacts with experts who will play a critical role in proving your injuries and damages. Our skilled and knowledgeable attorneys understand that the best way to help you and your family is to advocate for maximum financial recovery.
We know that most of our clients would prefer to settle their cases and avoid going to trial. We work with defendants and their insurance companies to negotiate settlements that fully compensate our clients. Sometimes the settlement negotiation process is lengthy, and we will continue to prepare your case for trial so that you do not feel pressured to accept an unfair settlement offer.
Fatal Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can be fatal immediately, and in other cases, people survive the initial injury but later succumb to complications related to the initial injury. Common fatal complications include pneumonia, septicemia, renal failure, and pulmonary embolism.
If your loved one suffered a fatal spinal cord injury caused by someone else’s fault, you might be entitled to compensation for your losses. In California, surviving family members may file wrongful death claims against parties responsible for their loved ones’ death. Financial recovery may include loss of financial support, the value of the deceased’s household services, funeral expenses, and other damages.
If your loved one survived the initial spinal cord injury but later died due to injury complications, the estate’s personal representative may file a survival action. Survival actions allow personal representatives to pursue compensation related to the deceased’s losses before he or she died. Lost wages, medical bills, and punitive damages may be awarded in a survival action.
Protecting Injured San Diego Residents Against Those Who Harmed Them
For more than 70 years, CaseyGerry has fought to protect the rights of those who suffer serious injuries after another person acted carelessly. Whether caused by automobile collisions, falls on hazardous property, acts of violence, or other means, CaseyGerry has the knowledge, expertise, and resources to successfully represent those who have been injured. The firm has attained numerous seven- and eight-figure settlements for victims who suffer from spinal cord injuries.
Contact CaseyGerry at (619) 238-1811 if you or a family member has a spinal cord injury that was caused by someone’s careless behavior. We can explain your rights and what to expect in seeking compensation for medical bills, lost past and future wages, pain and suffering, and more.
