According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), there were an estimated 294,000 people living in the U.S. with spinal cord injuries in 2020. Approximately 17,810 new spinal cord injury cases occur each year. These catastrophic injuries to the vertebrae, ligaments, or discs of the spinal cord cause serious, long-term effects and complications.
Depending on the severity and location of the damage, a spinal cord injury can completely alter the future and scope of a patient’s life and may require lifelong care and support. Not only does a spinal injury mean extensive medical care, psychological support, and emotional care, but it can also cause significant financial problems. Victims may lose the ability to work as they once did, even as they face an ever-increasing mountain of medical bills.
If you suffered a spinal injury as a result of another party’s negligence, contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. We can look at the details of your case to determine if you qualify for financial compensation for your injury-related losses. Call the West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a free consultation.
Can I Recover Compensation for My Spinal Cord Injury?
Whether you qualify for financial compensation depends on the primary cause of your injury. Specifically, to file a claim and collect damages, your injury must have occurred because of the actions of another party.
In other words, if someone else caused your injury through negligence, carelessness, or even willful misconduct, we can file a liability claim against them. You would not have suffered a spinal cord injury if the other person had acted differently.
These criteria can apply to injuries that occur for any number of reasons, including:
- Auto and motorcycle accidents;
- Falls;
- Acts of violence; and
- Sports and recreation
The NSCISC lists motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, followed by falls. In fact, according to Florida Health, falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for elderly Floridians.
If you aren’t sure if the cause of your accident qualifies you to pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit, our spinal cord injury attorneys can go over the particulars of your West Palm Beach case. We will review the severity of your condition, your case’s supporting evidence, and your damages’ cost.
How Can You Connect a Liable Party to My Injuries?
Regardless of how your injury occurred, we can assert that another party was responsible. We accomplish this by making these connections:
- The other party owed you a duty of care.
- They acted in a way that violated their duty of care.
- That violation caused your spinal cord injury.
- Your injury entitles you to damages.
For example, if a drunk driver caused your auto accident, their actions would certainly constitute negligence. Their duty of care was to remain sober and alert, and by driving while intoxicated, they breached this duty and caused your accident. In that scenario, you could seek compensation for a host of injury-related expenses.
The same holds true if a store negligently failed to put up wet floor signage, resulting in your slip and fall or if you were the victim of a shooting and sustained wounds to your spinal cord. These scenarios all illustrate a violated duty of care, causing you pain. We work to make sure that your pain is acknowledged through compensation.
To determine if you qualify for compensation and for help pursuing what you need, contact us for a free case evaluation.
What Is the Value of My Case?
The value of your claim depends on several factors, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- Your age and expected working ability
- Your pre-injury job and income level
- Any family or dependents
- The injury’s mental health effects
- Other factors, like your quality of life
For instance, tetraplegia can impact a victim’s life more than paraplegia. Someone with an especially physical job may also experience more financial losses after a spinal cord injury. Likewise, the sole breadwinner of a family may need additional compensation to help provide for their dependents.
Regardless of the variables, the total value for a spinal cord injury is typically substantial. According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the lifetime cost for a 25-year-old with high tetraplegia is over $4.7 million. That does not include indirect costs, such as lost wages, fringe benefits, and productivity.
We can provide an accurate assessment of your extensive spinal cord injury case. What’s more, we make sure it reflects your situation, including your pain, your changed quality of life, and your future needs.
What Specific Damages Could Be Included in My Case?
We will calculate the full value of your claim and help you pursue fair compensation for all of your current and future expenses and losses, including:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses;
- Assisted living and in-home care costs;
- Disability and disfigurement;
- Household services;
- Medical devices, such as wheelchairs, computer adaptations, electronic aids to daily living, and functional electrical stimulation systems;
- Renovations to your home to accommodate your disability;
- Counseling and mental health care;
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish;
- Emotional and psychological effects; and
- Harm to your career, marriage, relationships, ability to enjoy hobbies, and overall quality of life
The list is long for a reason—we are passionate about covering every facet of your injury and its impact on your life.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney in West Palm Beach?
Spinal cord injury cases are exceptionally complex—and often contested. Because they are typically worth a lot of money, the opposing side’s insurance company and attorney might attempt various strategies to refute or reduce the value of your claim.
They might try to pin blame for the accident on you. They may also push you to accept a quick, low offer before you know the full extent of your injuries and future financial needs.
Our spinal cord injury lawyers can protect you from these tactics and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve after being hurt in West Palm Beach. Moreover, we have experience handling spinal injury cases and will prove to be an invaluable asset for you and your family.
Our Previous Clients Share Their Feedback with Us
Former injured clients have shared:
- “Anytime I had questions or concerns, I would call, and someone would always have an answer for me. Their follow up is outstanding. They care about their clients’ well-being.” – Stephen L.
- “The thoughtfulness, attention to detail, follow up phone calls and emails, scheduling appointments, helping with repairs to my car, were things I could never have accomplished without them.” – Andrea V.
Our Firm Can Manage Each Aspect of Your Injury Case
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we have the knowledge, resources, and skills to handle every aspect of your case. We will:
- Collect evidence
- Schedule your appointments
- Investigate liability
- Negotiate for larger settlements
- Explain legalese
- Execute paperwork
- Even take your case to civil court if negotiations fail
We will take care of all these legal issues, so you can focus on recuperating and readjusting to your new life.
We Offer Legal Help on a Contingency-Fee Basis
We do not charge legal fees unless we win your case, so there is no financial risk in using our services. It just makes sense to let a professional with your best interests in mind handle these stressful legal matters. Let our team fight for the justice and recompense you need and deserve.
What Evidence Will Be Used in My Case?
The first step to recovering compensation for a spinal injury is to explore your legal options with one of the attorneys at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. After briefly reviewing your case, we can explain your rights, your next steps, and how we can help with your claim.
We will look at all documents and records regarding your accident and injuries, including:
- Police reports
- Eyewitness information
- Medical treatment information
- Photos and video evidence
- Receipts for out-of-pocket costs
You may want to begin keeping an injury journal to document your pain levels, responses to treatments, thoughts, and emotional responses regarding how your injuries are impacting your life. A journal can be both therapeutic and practical.
We can use the information you provide, as well as the evidence we gather, to get a full understanding of your situation. When we are armed with this personal and objective evidence, we can demand appropriate damages.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to Talk to a Lawyer in West Palm Beach
Our spinal cord injury lawyers can handle every aspect of your case, from gathering evidence to negotiating a settlement. Contact us today and let us go to work for you. Don’t delay in reaching out to our compassionate staff.
We Can Help.
