Few injuries may be considered as catastrophic as those affecting the spinal cord. Made up of 33 different vertebrae, the spinal cord is one of the most important structures in the human body. Even moderate damage to the spinal cord can cause debilitating symptoms and permanent disability. Those who suffer spinal cord breaks or fractures may find themselves paralyzed. When your spinal cord injuries have turned your life upside down, requiring you to hire home health care providers or find a new way to earn a living, and preventing you from living your life normally, you may have the right to total financial compensation for your losses.
With the legal support of a high-powered Torrance spinal cord injury lawyer from Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, you can demand the at-fault party compensate you in full. Our personal injury attorneys will investigate the cause of your accident, figure out who should be held accountable, and exhaust every possible opportunity for financial relief. When you are ready to move forward with your claim, contact our law office to request a free consultation. When you have access to the finances you need to rebuild your life you will be proud of your courage when facing adversity.
What Are the Most Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
There are several different types of spinal cord injuries. An incomplete spinal cord injury involves damage to the spinal column or vertebrae. These injuries can be excruciatingly painful and debilitating. Complete spinal cord injuries are a little different. Here, the spinal cord may have been completely severed or torn, which could lead to paralysis and permanent disability. There are multiple types of paralysis as well, including:
Paraplegia
Paraplegia refers to paralysis of the lower portion of the body. This might include loss of function of your feet, ankles, legs, toes, and sometimes even the abdominal region.
Tetraplegia
Tetraplegia, also commonly referred to as quadriplegia, refers to paralysis of the upper and lower parts of your body. This might include feet, legs, toes, arms, shoulders, and even your head.
Triplegia
Triplegia refers to the paralysis of three affected limbs. This might be both legs and one arm, both arms and one leg, the trunk of your body and both arms, both legs and the trunk of your body, or other combinations of paralysis as long as at least three areas are affected.
Note
The type of spinal cord injury you were diagnosed with will not determine how much compensation you recover. The severity of your injuries and the impact they have had on your life determines the value of your losses.
Why You Should See a Doctor Right Away After a Back Injury
You may initially believe your spinal cord injuries are minor, but if you do not receive the treatment you need, your condition could rapidly deteriorate. Immediately after the accident, your body may be running on adrenaline alone. While your body is in shock you may not feel the full extent of your injuries. If you do not get the medical help you need, you may find yourself with worsening symptoms or even a permanent disability.
Tip
Immediately after the accident, call emergency responders. With back and spinal cord injuries, you can never be too careful. This may be the best time to try to collect evidence to support your case while waiting for EMTs to arrive and take an ambulance to the nearest hospital so you can get the treatment you need sooner.
What Are Some of the Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Your spinal cord injury attorney will need to carefully evaluate the cause of your injuries to maximize your financial compensation. Injuries to the spinal cord can occur in virtually any type of accident. However, our spinal cord injury clients in Torrance have been involved in:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Spinal cord injuries are common in motor vehicle accidents. Some of the most common types of motor vehicle accidents known for causing back injuries and spinal cord damage include:
- Uber accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Car accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
Premises Liabilities
Premises liabilities can involve any type of accident that occurs on someone else’s property. Spinal cord injury victims may have suffered their injuries due to:
- Dog bites or animal attacks
- Swimming pool accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Negligent security incidents
- Failure to make safety repairs
- Inherently dangerous conditions
- Parking lot accidents
- Accidents at supermarkets
- Hotel accidents
Work Accidents
Countless types of work accidents have the potential to cause spinal cord injuries. Some of the most common types of work-related accidents include:
- Construction accidents
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Forklift accidents
- Scaffold accidents
- Falls from elevated heights
- Crushing accidents
What Damages Can I Expect to Recover If I Have a Spinal Cord Injury?
You have the right to be fully repaid for your damages after a spinal cord injury. There is no reason why you should be forced to pay even one cent in expenses if someone else is responsible for causing the accident. Fortunately, you have the right to recover a combination of economic and non-economic damages after a spinal cord injury. These can include a wide array of losses, some of which could include:
- Personal property losses
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Emotional distress
- Loss of income and employee benefits
- Reduced earning potential
- Diminished quality of life
- Skin scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
Pro Tip
To maximize your compensation keep a detailed journal. Your personal journal should discuss every way you have been affected by your injuries. That way, when we are introducing compelling supporting evidence, we have a clear record of the physical and emotional toll as well as your financial losses.
Local Result
Detainee Received $1,045,000 Settlement for Head Injury During Police Car Accident While Being Transported in Los Angeles
Case Type Car Accident Location California Settlement $1,045,000.00
Great customer service willing to answer any questions at hand. Definitely recommend giving them a call if you’re in any legal situation and don’t know where to start.
Paul Floyd
California Accident Victim
Torrance Spinal Cord Injury FAQs
Yes, there is a time limit for personal injury lawsuits and insurance claim filings in the state of California. Insurance companies have the right to set their own deadlines. Some of the most advantageous insurance providers will only give claimants up to 48 hours after the accident to file suit. Having a skilled spinal cord injury attorney working on your case as soon as possible can help ensure that your insurance claim is filed before the deadline.
There is also the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. After a spinal cord injury, you will generally have up to two years from the date of the accident to get your lawsuit filed according to California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Unfortunately, if your spinal cord injury claim is not filed before this expiration date, you will lose your right to move forward with your claim.
Partial liability accusations are common in spinal cord injury claims. In fact, in most types of personal injury cases, liable parties will often try to avoid their financial obligations by victim blaming. If they can blame you for causing the accident, they can reduce their financial responsibilities since California follows pure comparative negligence laws under California Civil Code 1714.
For example, let’s say your spinal cord injury was caused by a slip and fall accident. If you were looking at your cell phone when you slipped and fell, the defense might argue you are partially at fault. If the judge agrees, they may find you, say, 20% at fault. If the jury subsequently awarded you a $5 million settlement, you would not receive the full $5 million. Instead, the court system would reduce your award by 20%. You would still receive a $4 million settlement, but that is still a $1 million loss which is why having a skilled spinal cord injury lawyer advocating for you should be a top priority.
Spinal cord injuries are common in work environments. Some types of industries are more dangerous to work in than others. For example, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), if you work in one of the following industries, you may be more susceptible to catastrophic injury or death:
- Construction
- Agriculture
- Fishing
- Farming
- Oil field work
- Logging
- Manufacturing
If you were injured in a work-related accident, you may have the right to Workers’ Compensation benefits according to the California Department of Industrial Relations. However, if you collect workers’ comp, you may forfeit your right to file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer. You may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to receiving workers’ compensation benefits if your personal injury claim is against a third party.
It is difficult to say whether punitive damages will be awarded for your spinal cord injury since we have not reviewed the specific details of your case. Punitive damages are not compensatory per California Civil Code Section 3294. You are not entitled to an award of punitive damages. They are a means of punishing liable parties for unscrupulous, egregious, or malicious conduct.
The court system will impose a punitive damages award if it finds further punishment necessary. For instance, if you suffered spinal cord injuries after being hit by a drunk driver, punitive damages may be appropriate, especially if the driver who hit you has multiple DUI convictions on their criminal record. However, if you suffered a spinal cord injury when you were struck by a drowsy driver, punitive damages may not apply.
The amount of time it will take to settle your spinal cord injury lawsuit will vary widely depending on the specific circumstances of your case. Generally, if you are filing a claim with the insurance company, and that settlement is enough to meet the full value of your damages, you may not need to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit. If this is the case, after a few weeks of negotiations, you may receive the insurance settlement you had hoped for.
However, many insurance settlements are not enough to fully compensate victims for their damages. When this happens, we need to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit. Civil court claims and litigation will almost certainly prolong the amount of time it will take to resolve your claim. It could be months or even years before your settlement funds arrive in your bank account. Even though filing a personal injury lawsuit may take longer, when you have the right to full compensation for your damages, the wait is often worth it.
Contact an Experienced Torrance Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer for Help Today!
Your spinal cord injuries may affect nearly every aspect of your life. If you are paralyzed, you may require around-the-clock medical support, be unable to earn a living, and struggle emotionally with everything you have lost. However, you can build a brighter future when you have the financial support you need. The at-fault party should be responsible for providing you with the compensation you are entitled to so you can cover your medical expenses and learn how to live with the permanency of your injuries.
Do not let them get away with it. Hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law with help from your community-driven Torrance spinal cord injury attorneys with Text Kevin Accident Attorneys. Take action on your claim as soon as today when you complete our confidential contact form or call our office to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation.
Torrance FAQs
Torrance, California, is a city located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, in the southwestern part of the Greater Los Angeles area.
In Torrance, CA, you can visit places like the Torrance Art Museum, Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Wilson Park, and Del Amo Fashion Center. You can also enjoy the beach, try different restaurants, and catch a movie at the AMC Del Amo 18.
Torrance is about 20 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles, depending on the route you take.
Torrance is approximately 12 miles northwest of Long Beach, California.
Truck drivers in Torrance, CA, can park in designated areas for commercial vehicles. They can also look for truck stops or industrial zones that allow truck parking. However, it’s important to check local regulations and with businesses about specific parking availability and rules.
The closest major airport to Oceanside is San Diego International Airport (SAN). However, smaller airports like McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) in Carlsbad are closer options depending on your flight availability.
Torrance Points of Interest
Torrance Neighborhoods We Serve
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