Few types of injuries cause more severe and permanent harm than those affecting the spinal cord. Even minor trauma to the spine can require costly and extensive medical care, and more serious injuries will often result in a lifelong loss of sensation or motor function.
In a situation like this, a seasoned personal injury attorney’s guidance can be crucial to achieving a favorable and fair result from your civil claim. Even if you will never fully heal from the accident, a dedicated San Marcos spinal cord injury lawyer could help you maximize your quality of life and obtain some measure of justice from the person who harmed you.
WHAT DETERMINES THE SEVERITY OF A SPINAL CORD INJURY?
Unlike most body parts, the spinal cord does not heal from external trauma on its own. Even with modern medical technology and techniques, an injury that severs the connection between the brain and the rest of the nervous system is almost always permanent.
With this in mind, there are two primary factors that affect how severe a spinal cord injury is: the location of the injury and the “completeness” of the damage. Broadly speaking, injuries higher up the spine near the neck cause more widespread paralysis since they cut more of the body off from communication with the brain. Conversely, injuries closer to the tailbone cause less severe paralysis.
Complete spine damage involves the cord being totally severed at the injury site, while incomplete damage refers to when the cord is slightly torn or twisted. Complete spinal cord injuries will always be more severe than incomplete ones, with fewer treatment options available. A capable San Marcos attorney could examine medical records to determine the severity of a spinal cord injury and factor that information into a civil claim.
RECOVERING FAIRLY FOR ALL AVAILABLE DAMAGES
After a plaintiff transparently proves another person is responsible for their spinal cord injury, they could work with an experienced San Marcos lawyer to demand compensation for their setbacks and losses. In their claim, the injured person can seek payment for both economic and non-economic setbacks. Common examples of potential compensation after a spinal cord injury include payment for:
- Emergency medical bills
- The cost of long-term/future medical care, physical therapy, assistive equipment like wheelchairs, and in-home assistance
- Home/vehicle modification costs
- Lost work income or reduced earning capacity
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Lost consortium
- Psychological trauma and anguish
In rare situations where a defendant demonstrated extreme negligence or intentionally malicious conduct, a court may impose additional punitive damages against them and award those damages to the plaintiff. Our knowledgeable legal team understands the nuances of punitive compensation and could help determine whether those payments apply to a particular spinal cord injury case.
CONSIDER WORKING WITH A SAN MARCOS SPINAL CORD INJURY ATTORNEY
No one deserves to lose control of their bodily function, especially due to another person’s negligence or recklessness. When you are dealing with the aftermath of a spinal cord injury, though, you should remember you have the right to work with an experienced attorney and demand compensation for your suffering.
A San Marcos spinal cord injury lawyer could be an irreplaceable ally throughout every stage of your case. Contact us today to learn more about your options.
