A spinal cord injury can cause extensive complications and long-term disability. If the careless actions of another person caused your accident, you can hold that individual responsible for their behavior.
At the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine, we can help you recover damages for the extensive medical treatment and long-term care you may need after such a serious injury. We will build a strong case on your behalf and protect your legal rights. Call us to schedule a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer in Cape Coral.
When is my spinal cord injury eligible for compensation?
If your injury—or that of a loved one—was the fault of someone’s negligence, you are eligible for compensation, regardless of how your specific accident occurred. We can hold the at-fault party accountable for they have done to you and your family.
Any type of accident may have caused your spinal injury. We work with many clients who suffered their injury during a car crash, for example. Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, and side-impact accidents can all damage the spinal column.
Other causes of spinal injury include semi-truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, slip and fall accidents, boating accidents, swimming pool accidents, workplace accidents, assault and acts of violence, falling objects, and accidents involving construction equipment.
Unfortunately, the prognosis for victims of a back or spine injury is poor. The more severe the injury, the shorter the victim’s life expectancy becomes.
Most spinal cord injuries cause significant damage, including partial to full paralysis, paraplegia, and quadriplegia. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), if the victim suffers neurological damage, their chances of a full recovery are less than one percent.
We can help you determine who was responsible for your accident and hold them liable for your damages.
How do you prove liability in a spinal cord injury?
We will use any relevant evidence to establish fault for your accident, using the legal standard of negligence to hold that person liable for damages.
To legally prove negligence, we will ask four key questions.
Did the at-fault party owe you a duty of care?
Motorists owe others on the road a duty of care, for example. This requires them to observe traffic and safety laws. Store owners owe the public a duty of care, requiring that they ensure their facility is free from hazards that could harm visitors.
Did the at-fault party breach their duty of care?
Did the at-fault party breach that duty by acting—or failing to act—in a way that put you at risk? If someone drives drunk, they have breached their duty to others on the roadway.
Did that breach of duty cause your injuries?
If we can demonstrate the at-fault person’s breach of duty was directly responsible for your injuries, we can hold them liable for compensation. If a drunk driver caused the accident in which you suffered your injury, they are responsible for your damages.
Did your injuries result in provable damages?
Finally, we must prove you suffered actual damages as a result. We can show this by providing proof of your medical bills, care costs, lost wages, etc.
If the breach of duty was particularly excessive or egregious, we may have the opportunity to prove gross negligence. In these cases, courts may award punitive damages to punish the at-fault party for their behavior.
What is my claim worth?
The costs related to any spine or back injury are significant. If your injury was severe, your costs could easily total to millions of dollars over time. In fact, the NSCISC states that medical care costs for the first year after a severe spine or back injury often exceed $1 million. For a victim in their mid-20s, the lifetime cost of medical care may exceed $4 million.
In addition to medical care, a back or spine injury victim may require home care or relocation to a live-in care facility. They may lose their mobility and require special equipment and transportation. They may also suffer a loss of independence and need the help of a caregiver or family member to feed, bathe, and clothe themselves.
Your attorney will consider these costs when determining the value of your claim:
- Current medical bills and care costs;
- Lost wages to date;
- Future medical and care costs;
- Rehabilitation costs;
- Loss of future earning capacity;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Loss of life’s enjoyment.
Why do I need a spinal cord injury lawyer?
With the help of one of our lawyers, you stand a better chance of winning the full compensation you need to pay for your long-term, injury-related costs. We will chase down the evidence to build you a strong case. We can face the at-fault party’s insurance company directly so you can focus on healing. Our lawyers will negotiate a fair settlement for you and protect you from accepting an early, lowball offer.
Contact the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine for help with your claim.
For the best chance at a positive outcome, contact the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine at the earliest possible time. We can explain your legal rights, help you explore your options, and ensure you receive the appropriate medical treatment and care.
Of course, no settlement will ever truly make up for the devastation of a serious spinal cord injury. It will, however, fund your future care while sending a strong message to the negligent party.
We offer a complimentary case review and consultation. If you would like to learn more about your options, call us today to speak directly to a spinal cord injury lawyer in Cape Coral.
We Can Help.
