If you have been painfully injured and suffered a spinal cord injury, you already understand how devastating these injuries can be. You need help with compensation that will get you through a lifetime of care and treatment. For that, you could contact a Sarasota spinal cord injury attorney with GED Lawyers.
When choosing your legal representation for a spinal cord injury, you should look for a law firm with skilled Sarasota personal injury lawyers who serve injured victims in your community. The firm should have the resources to take on any large insurance companies, transportation providers, or any other defendant in your claim. You can also look at the injury firm’s case results and see what type of reviews past clients have left.
Spinal Cord Injuries Are Severe and Can Last a Lifetime
The long-term costs for spinal cord injuries can be high. If you were injured due to another’s actions or negligence, you must file a claim to collect the damages you need to cover these costs. It will be essential to your future ability to pay for your basic needs and care to file a claim and choose an attorney to fight for the maximum settlement allowed.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
Your recoverable damages in a spinal cord injury claim are like any personal injury case. You can recover damages in the amount it takes to make you whole. For spinal cord injury victims fighting for compensation to cover lifelong treatment and health needs, it can feel like an uphill battle.
Types of Recoverable Damages in Florida Injury Cases
Many Florida injury victims’ damages typically fall into two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Our Sarasota attorney will review your case for both types.
Economic Damages
You are reimbursed for your costs when you collect economic damages from your injury claim. Your monetary damages are finite amounts and usually have a receipt. Examples of economic damages in personal injury cases include:
- Medical bills
- Prescription medication
- Travel-related costs
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost or damaged property
- Lost income
- Lost or reduced earnings potential
- Medical devices
Non-Economic Damages
The non-economic damages in a claim involving a spinal cord injury could be pretty high. In severe injuries, your attorney may ask for a maximum amount. Sometimes, this amount is based on a multiplier from one to five. Your total economic damages are multiplied by this factor to get a number for your non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Damage to relationships
- Diminished life quality
- Permanent disabilities
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of social structure
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), spinal cord injuries affect 17,810 Americans annually. The number is significant, and more than three-quarters of new spinal cord injuries are men. What causes these injuries? The statistics show the top five causes of spinal cord injuries in the U.S.:
- Vehicle accidents
- Falls
- Violence
- Sports
- Medical or surgical
Secondary Health Complications
Victims of spinal cord injuries have secondary health complications that can arise over time because of their injuries or from their inability to move around. Patients can suffer additional tissue damage due to poor blood flow. Because depression commonly affects spinal cord patients, mental health treatment could be a necessary part of your accident recovery, and this expense should be included in your economic damages.
Pressure sores are a common issue impacting most spinal cord injury patients. Another common medical problem is spasticity or muscle spasms, which can become frequent and often painful. Medication and regular exercise may be necessary for relief. With complications and long-term treatment needed, an injury attorney can include these costs in your medical care claim.
What Are the Costs of Hiring a Personal Injury Law Firm in Sarasota?
Most personal injury law firms realize that accidents often blindside victims. Not only are they hurt and suffering, but they are also may be out of work. Injured victims looking to take a negligent party to court for justice should not be expected to come up with the money needed to cover legal costs. They deserve justice. To ensure everyone has access, many personal injury firms accept cases on contingency.
Contingency Fees
Contingency fees are a percentage of your settlement or court-ordered award. Your attorney will agree to take your case for a portion of your settlement. If you lose your spinal cord injury case, you owe nothing. Our Sarasota spinal cord injury lawyer will work hard to get you the compensation for your case. When you win or accept a negotiated amount, you can pay your legal fees at that time.
Complimentary Case Consultation
Take advantage of an offered free review. You can have a complimentary appointment and get a review of your claim. Ask any questions you have at that time. Your case will be examined and totaled. You should be able to get an estimated value of your claim and decide if you want to proceed. It is a no-obligation appointment. You have two years under Florida Statutes 95.11 § (3)(a) to file an injury lawsuit. We encourage you to act promptly if you want to file a lawsuit.
Call GED Lawyers for Help From Our Sarasota Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
If you have suffered a devastating spinal cord injury in Sarasota, you should contact GED Lawyers. Our law firm has multiple attorneys on staff that can help you with your case. Florida personal injury claims are subject to a limited time for filing, so it helps to get started immediately.
Our office offers a free initial review of your case. We can make those arrangements if you need us to come to you. Call today and let us know. We can handle the work of holding the negligent party accountable and seek the compensation you will need for the future.
