A spinal cord injury is one of the worst possible outcomes of an accident. You may lose your ability to move and live your daily life as you did before the accident. These cases also result in some of the highest compensation awards because of the extent of injuries you can suffer and the cost of care that you may need. You must fight for every dollar because they will all be crucial in the future. Contact an experienced Gastonia personal injury lawyer at Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys to learn more about a potential lawsuit for compensation.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord transmits messages from your brain to the rest of your body. If it is damaged, messages may not reach their destination, and you may lose vital functions. Most commonly, you may lose the ability to fully move areas of your body below the part of your spinal cord that has been damaged.
As such, you may not be able to carry on with your daily activities. You may experience some of the following effects of a spinal cord injury:
- Numbness and weakness in your extremities
- Difficulty walking (or not being able to walk at all)
- Reduced or limited sexual function
- Respiratory and breathing issues
- Loss of control over your bowels and bladder
- Pressure ulcers from being in one place for a prolonged amount of time
As such, you can expect that your mobility will be reduced, and you may not be able to do what you did before the accident. There may come a point when medical treatment and rehabilitation have run their course, and you will have regained as much function as you possibly can after the injury.
Treatment and Rehabilitation from Spinal Cord Injuries
Major medical strides have been made in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. Even patients who have suffered severe injuries may be able to see some improvement in their condition over time, although many of these treatments are experimental and prohibitively expensive. You would have to fight ahead of time to have the money to cover these treatments provided in your settlement agreement or award. Insurance companies often fight when it comes to experimental or extremely expensive treatments.
One treatment for spinal cord injuries is functional electrical stimulation for assistance with restoration of neuromuscular function, sensory function, or autonomic function. There is no way to surgically reverse the damage to the spinal cord.
Many patients would likely have extensive physical and occupational therapy to help them regain some function. With help, it may be possible to learn to walk again to a limited extent. If you have suffered an incomplete spinal cord injury, there may even be a chance that you can make close to a full recovery with the right medical care and rehabilitation plan.
Finding Emotional and Psychological Support
While spinal cord injuries harm your body, the effects of a spinal cord injury could lead to depression and anxiety as you come to terms with what the rest of your life may be like. You have a long road ahead of you, and you need to be emotionally strong.
It is vital that you seek any type of support to help you better deal with your condition. You may join a support group and seek assistance from a mental health professional. It is possible to learn strategies to help you cope with the emotional effects of your injuries.
Accessibility and Mobility Solutions
You will likely have a hard time getting around at your home after a spinal cord injury. Your home would likely need to be retrofitted to accommodate your specific injuries. This could require extensive construction and include installing ramps, staircase lifts, or protections in your bathroom to prevent a fall. The good news is that any modifications to your home to help you get around could be covered by a spinal cord injury settlement or award.
In addition, you would also need mobility solutions that could help you leave your home. In some cases, even your car can be modified to allow you to drive with a spinal cord injury. In most other cases, you would need some type of specialized transport to help you get around.
Legal Rights and Compensation for Spinal Cord Injury
It is essential that you have enough money to fund what you need in your daily life when you are living with a spinal cord injury. You may need help with daily activities, retrofitting of your home, and intensive rehabilitation. The party responsible for your accident has a legal obligation to pay the costs associated with your injury and recovery.
All of the expenses that you would incur later in life to live with your spinal cord injury are compensable in a settlement or award. This is why spinal cord injury settlements tend to be extremely large. It is crucial that you know exactly how much compensation you should seek before you file a claim or lawsuit. Otherwise, you can end up leaving money on the table.
Contact Our Gastonia Personal Injury Lawyers Today
The lawyers at Horton Mendez Injury Attorneys can help you perform perhaps the most crucial function in a spinal cord injury case. We will work with expert witnesses to learn the value of your damages and will fight for you to get the highest possible compensation you deserve. As difficult as it may be, you need to call an attorney today to begin the legal process. You can schedule a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys by sending us a message online or by calling us today at 910-405-7751.
