Damaging your spinal cord can be one of the most frightening and complicated injuries you could face in your life. Often resulting in partial or total paralysis, injuries to your spinal cord can have lifelong consequences. When your future is completely rewritten due to the negligent actions of another, you deserve to be compensated for the devastating effects an injury like this can have.
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in Garden Grove, Text Kevin Accident Attorneys can help you hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Beyond the debilitating pain associated with spinal cord injuries, you may be unable to work to support yourself or your family or enjoy activities that once brought you joy. Connect with an empathetic and highly skilled spinal cord injury lawyer with the Crockett Law Group today to learn about what your next steps could be.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries to Sue For
Next to the brain, the spinal cord is one of the most sensitive and important parts of your body. Responsible for sending neurological signals throughout your body, even minor damage to the spinal cord could result in disaster for every part of your life. Some of the most severe injuries related to spinal cord damage include:
- Paraplegia – this condition describes losing the use of your legs and can also encompass loss of motor function of all organs below your waist
- Quadriplegia – resulting from significant damage to your spinal cord, this condition describes the loss of use of all organs below the injury site which could include both legs, both arms, the abdomen, and essential organs like your lungs which could make the use of a ventilator necessary
- Brown-Sequard Syndrome – characterized by damage to one side of your spinal cord, this injury can result in partial or complete paralysis of either the left or right side of your body
- Anterior cord syndrome – damage to the front of your spinal cord that could result in loss of feeling but you may retain partial or complete motor function
- Central cord syndrome – damage to the center of the spinal cord that may present with minor to severe impairment of the arms, bladder, bowels, and sex organs
- Triplegia – resulting from moderate to severe damage to your spinal cord, triplegia is characterized by loss of use of both legs and one arm
With the possible consequences of partial or complete paralysis, damage to any part of your spinal column requires immediate medical attention and massively expensive surgical intervention which may or may not have a positive outcome. Suffering damage to such a sensitive and vitally important organ can destroy your life and cause immense difficulty in completing daily tasks and activities for you and your family. You should not be expected to face this burden alone, and with a knowledgeable and experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer by your side, you have an opportunity to make the party who is responsible for your injury compensate you fully for every way your life has been affected.
Top Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Owing to its fragile nature, it often does not take significant trauma to result in damage to the spinal cord. As it is the key to the central nervous system, carrying information to and from the brain from every part of your body, any damage to the spinal column may result in lifelong consequences. Normally divided into the two categories of complete and incomplete spinal injuries, damage to the spinal cord can be caused by numerous factors including:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures, 37.5% of spinal cord injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents. While wearing your seatbelt can help reduce the likelihood of spinal column and other traumatic injuries, it is not a guarantee. The forces experienced by you in a motor vehicle collision can cause significant damage to your spine, with or without the numerous advantages of wearing your seatbelt.
Work-Related and Premises Liability Injuries
As shown by data compiled by the NSCISC in their fact sheet, falls account for 31.7% of traumatic spinal cord injuries. Many construction and industrial workers find themselves in danger of falls every day, although fall protection safety standards have increased to address workplace-related falls that can result in spinal column damage, the issue of spinal injuries remains ever-present. Slips and falls in premises liability cases also present dangers for both workers and the general public.
Acts of Violence
Another common cause for traumatic spinal column injuries comes from acts of violence, including gunshots and stab wounds. According to data from both the Mayo Clinic and the NSCISC respectively, these acts of violence account for between 12% to 15.4% of spinal cord injuries. Physical violence between individuals also contributes to these statistics.
Sport and Recreation Injuries
Since 2015, sports and injuries from recreational activities have resulted in approximately 8% to 10% of spinal column injuries per the NSCISC and the Mayo Clinic respectively. Some examples of these incidents include impact sports such as football, soccer, and baseball which all have minimum to zero protection for the spinal cord. Other recreational activities that can result in damage to the spinal cord include trampoline accidents and diving into shallow waters.
If you experience an injury that feels minor or that you think will resolve itself on its own, do not underestimate the value of a professional medical evaluation. Some injuries, particularly spine injuries, may not seem serious at first but can develop into dangerous conditions later. Obtaining a comprehensive medical examination as soon as possible after an injury is critical to building the strongest possible case.
Explore Your Legal Options for Justice
Following your spinal cord injury in Garden Grove, you may be asking yourself if someone is to blame for your condition. Consulting with a dedicated and highly experienced spinal cord injury lawyer can help you address these concerns by conducting a thorough investigation as to how your injury occurred, who could be liable, and what your next steps should be. From failing to warn individuals of potentially dangerous situations to intentional acts of violence, we will work tirelessly to discover any liable parties and how best to proceed with your case, including filing insurance claims or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
Garden Grove Insurance Claims
Depending on the specific circumstances of how your injury occurred, filing an insurance claim may be an option if your spinal cord damage was the result of a motor vehicle accident or a fall on private property. California follows fault insurance rules according to California Insurance Code – INS § 11580.1, which means you can file a claim with the insurance company of the party that caused your injuries. Your Garden Grove spinal cord injury lawyer with Text Kevin Accident Attorneys can investigate to determine who could be responsible for the injuries you have suffered and negotiate with the insurance provider on your behalf, however, insurance rarely covers all of your losses and damages.
Personal Injury Lawsuits in Garden Grove, CA
You may be under the impression that an insurance claim will adequately cover the expenses related to your spinal cord injury in Garden Grove. However, depending on how your injury happened, the limits of the liable party’s insurance policy may likely be insufficient to cover your damages in full. When the at-fault party’s insurance policy does not cover your damages in full, filing a personal injury lawsuit may be your next best option to recover damages such as:
Medical Bills
Injuries to the spinal column are some of the most expensive injuries you could suffer. According to a study published in 2021 in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, average costs for spinal cord injuries can reach over $1 million in the first year alone. If your spinal cord was damaged in a car accident for example, the person who hit you may have only purchased the bare minimum insurance coverage which might only cover $50,000 at best, leaving you to potentially pay $950,000 out of your pocket without additional funds that could be covered by a personal injury lawsuit.
Wage-Related Losses
With the risk of lifelong disabilities related to your spinal cord injury in Garden Grove, you may be unable to return to the career you might have spent years training for. If your injury prevents you from returning to work, this is another cost we can add to your personal injury lawsuit. The liable party could also be responsible for covering the wages you may have earned over your career if you are no longer able to continue working in your chosen field.
Exemplary Damages
Punitive damages, also sometimes referred to as exemplary damages, are rarely awarded in personal injury cases. Only if the liable party’s actions are determined by the court to be intentional, egregious, or malicious would you be awarded exemplary damages as per California Civil Code Section 3294. While these damages could significantly increase your compensation, they should not be expected unless your Garden Grove catastrophic injury lawyer advises you that they may be warranted in your case.
Non-economic damages such as emotional distress or the loss of an intimate relationship with your partner can be some of the most difficult aspects to recover from in your spinal cord injury case. While they do not have specific dollar values, they may alter your life in ways you cannot predict. Ensure you maximize your compensation by being open and honest with your spinal injury lawyer in Garden Grove about every way your life has been negatively impacted due to your injuries.
Garden Grove Spinal Cord Injury FAQs
In personal injury cases for spinal cord injuries, you only have two years to pursue legal action against the liable party according to the California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. While some exceptions may pause or toll this time limit, it is essential to begin building your case with your Garden Grove personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
If your injury was the result of negligence by a government agency, this can affect the amount of time you have to pursue legal action. Under California Government Code Section 911.2, you only have six months to file a lawsuit against any government agency or employee. This can have a considerable impact in how quickly you must approach your spinal cord injury case.
Depending on the specific details of your injury, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits for certain spinal cord injuries. As described in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book, nerve root damage and other limitations stemming from your spinal cord injury may qualify you for disability benefits. Certain requirements must be met to qualify for these benefits which your Garden Grove spinal cord injury attorney can help you understand.
California follows a doctrine of pure comparative negligence per California Civil Code 1714, which means if you are partially to blame for the injuries you have suffered, you may still be able to recover compensation. However, you should be aware that your payout may be reduced by the percentage of fault you carry for your injuries. For example, if you were struck by a drunk driver while riding your bicycle without wearing a helmet, the court may determine that you are 20% at fault for your injuries, which means you would only be entitled to 80% of the compensation you would have otherwise received.
Speak With a Top-Rated Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Garden Grove Today
Every aspect of your life has likely been impacted by your spinal column injury and you may have a long road ahead of you to recover. When you have suffered these circumstances due to the reckless actions of another, you deserve to be compensated for every way your life has been affected. With a highly knowledgeable and compassionate Garden Grove spinal cord injury attorney by your side, you can feel confident in holding the responsible party accountable.
Text Kevin Accident Attorneys has extensive experience in pursuing justice for our clients who have endured spinal cord injuries. You should not be expected to cover the astronomical costs of a spinal injury alone. Discover how we can help you demand justice when you call our offices or complete our secure contact form to schedule your free consultation as soon as today.
