The spinal cord is an integral part of the central nervous system, responsible for transmitting neural information regarding motor function, sensation, and more to most of the body. Damage to the spinal cord can interrupt the flow of information between your brain and body, which can cause serious deficiencies in movement, strength, sensation, and other bodily functions. For this reason, a spinal cord injury usually requires immediate and extensive medical treatment and can leave a victim permanently paralyzed or otherwise disabled.
Our Boca Raton spinal cord injury lawyers at the law firm of GED Lawyers understand that the negligence of others causes many injuries. We are dedicated to helping injured victims fully recover for their losses from the responsible party and always strive for the best possible outcome in every case. If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in the Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, or West Palm Beach areas, please call us today to discuss how we can help you.
The Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries affect different victims in many different ways. The symptoms of a spinal cord injury will vary significantly depending on two main factors: the location of the injury and the severity of the damage caused. Some symptoms of spinal injuries include the following:
- Paralysis below the location of the injury
- Inability to feel touch, heat, cold, or other sensations
- Spasms and exaggerated involuntary reflexes
- Difficulty coughing, breathing, or clearing your lungs
- Loss of control of the bladder or bowels
- Intense nerve pain and stinging
- Loss of or changes to sexual function
As you can imagine, these symptoms can substantially change the quality of a spinal cord injury victim’s life and can result in serious losses and complications.
Compensation Spinal Cord Injury Victims Can Recover
When a spinal cord injury occurs because of another party’s negligent or intentional act, Florida tort law holds that party liable for the victim’s losses. Spinal cord cases often arise out of the following incidents:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slips and falls
- Falls from heights
- Construction accidents
- Falls down stairs
- Gunshot, knife wound, or other violent trauma
An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer can help victims of such incidents recover from the person or party that caused the event by demonstrating that the party acted negligently or intentionally. Such cases involve specific legal principles and procedures, so the assistance of a qualified attorney is invaluable.
Establishing Liability for Your Spinal Cord Injuries
Establishing liability for your spinal cord injuries in Boca Raton is essential. In many instances, you must prove liability if you hope to recover compensation for your damages. The problem is that spinal cord injuries can occur in various ways.
Your lawyer will need to carefully examine how your spinal injury occurred to determine who is responsible for causing your injuries. Some of the different parties who could be liable for your damages based on the type of accident you were involved in include:
- Motor vehicle accidents – If your spinal cord injuries were caused in a motor vehicle accident, you could file a lawsuit against the negligent motorist, governmental agency, official, auto parts manufacturers and distributors, maintenance technicians, and other third parties.
- Premises liability accidents – If your spinal cord injuries were caused by a premises liability accident such as a slip and fall, swimming pool, trampoline, or dog attack, the property owner or dog owner may be liable for your damages.
- Work accidents – And work-related accidents, your employer, your colleagues, supervisors, equipment manufacturers, and the company you work for could be liable if their negligence was the cause of your spinal cord injuries.
- Defective products – Virtually any parties involved in the chain of distribution of a defective product can be held accountable for a victims’ injuries. This can include distributors, manufacturers, suppliers, designers, and retailers.
Statute of Limitations to File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit in Florida
If you are hoping to move forward with your spinal cord injury claim in Boca Raton, you must do so before the statute of limitation expires.
Under the law, you have just two years to file your claim before the Florida statute of limitations runs out. If your claim is not filed before this deadline, you will no longer have the right to have your case heard in the Boca Raton civil court system.
Preparing for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case
If you are hoping to maximize the compensation you are awarded in your spinal cord injury claim, you must always be prepared to go through the insurance and civil claims process. Although many people hope to settle outside of court with the insurance company, this may not be enough to meet your needs adequately.
You may need to bring your case to trial if your insurance settlement is lacking or the defendant does not have insurance coverage. Do not let the intimidation of going to court stop you from recovering the compensation you would otherwise deserve.
Contact a Boca Raton Spinal Cord Injury Attorney for a Free Case Review Today
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
In Florida, you only have a limited amount of time to file a legal claim against a negligent party, so you should not delay contacting the office of GED Lawyers to discuss your potential case. We offer free case reviews, so please do not hesitate to contact a Boca Raton spinal cord injury lawyer today.
