Spine injuries can lead to devastating life-altering impairments, physical and financial burdens, and extensive medical care. A wide range of accidents can be responsible for spinal cord injuries, many of which are preventable and result from someone else’s negligence. You may be able to pursue compensation from the party at fault to pay for your injury-related losses, including medical bills, pain and suffering, and more with the help of our personal injury lawyer in West Palm Beach.
If you or a loved one is a survivor of a spinal cord injury, you are encouraged to seek legal representation from a West Palm Beach spine injury lawyer at Ged Lawyers who can navigate the law as it applies to these potentially complex cases. We encourage you to reach out to us so we can help you during this challenging time. Our case results speak for themselves, as we have successfully secured substantial settlements for our clients in similar cases.
Spinal Cord Injury Damages You Can Seek in West Palm Beach
Spinal cord injuries, especially when catastrophic, can result in staggering financial losses. These losses can include extensive medical bills, ongoing rehab costs, specialized equipment such as wheelchairs, and home modifications if needed.
Also, you may have experienced a significant reduction in your present income and future earning potential due to the physical limitations imposed by your injury. Pursuing these damages is critical to helping relieve your financial burden and ensuring that you receive the necessary support for your recovery and long-term well-being.
Spine injury survivors may also be entitled to non-economic damages, including physical pain and suffering, emotional anguish, disability, scarring and disfigurement, and diminished enjoyment or quality of life.
You can also seek wrongful death damages if your loved one passed away in a spine injury accident. Our wrongful death lawyer can explain how this type of injury case works.
Proving Negligence and Liability to Seek a Fair Settlement After Your Spine Injury
Proving negligence and liability in a spine injury case requires gathering evidence to demonstrate that another party’s actions or negligence directly caused your injury. A West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer can help you build a strong case by:
- Investigating your accident
- Collecting medical records
- Talking to witnesses
- Consulting with experts
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Keeping your case on track and remaining aware of the statute of limitations, or Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(a)
Your attorney may also perform all tasks needed to support your case and establish liability.
Four elements must be demonstrated to assert negligence and liability in your claim:
- Duty of care: This refers to the legal obligation that the responsible party has to act reasonably to avoid causing you harm.
- Breach of duty: This occurs when the defendant fails to meet their duty of care.
- Causation: Requires showing that the responsible party’s breach of duty directly or proximately caused your spine injury.
- Damages: Your losses associated with the physical, emotional, and financial harm you suffered as a result of your injury.
By establishing these elements, your attorney can show that the at-fault party was both negligent and liable, meaning they are responsible for paying you any compensation that is awarded to you.
Who Might Be Liable for a Spinal Cord Injury in West Palm Beach?
The following are examples of parties who might be liable for causing your spinal cord injury based on negligence:
- A driver whose carelessness or recklessness causes a traffic accident
- A landowner, such as a retail store or business, who neglects to remove a hazardous condition, such as a slippery floor or icy entryway
- A surgeon or other medical professional who injures the spine during an operation or procedure
- A doctor who fails to intervene medically or correctly diagnose when an x-ray or other test reveals an injury or illness involving the spinal cord
- The manufacturer or distributor of a defective or dangerous part, device, equipment, or other product
Common Accidents That Cause Spinal Cord Injuries in West Palm Beach
Personal injury law encompasses a wide range of accidents commonly caused by negligence. At Ged Lawyers, our team of spine injury attorneys regularly represents individuals who’ve suffered spinal cord damage due to the following and more:
- Traffic accidents, including car, truck, commercial vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, boating, and pedestrian accidents
- Premises liability accidents, such as slips, trips, and falls
- Product liability accidents, including those involving defective or hazardous parts, equipment, or devices
- Medical mistakes or malpractice, such as surgical errors, misdiagnosis, or failure to diagnose
- Workplace accidents, especially at construction sites or industrial environments, such as falls from heights or accidents involving heavy equipment
There are many other types of accidents that can lead to spinal injuries. Our spinal cord injury attorney will gladly assess your case and determine the cause of your accident.
Types of Spinal Injuries That May Entitle You to Compensation
Spinal injuries are categorized into two main types: complete and incomplete. Complete spinal cord injuries occur when the spinal cord is entirely severed, leading to a loss of all movement and sensation below the level of the injury.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries occur when the spinal cord is not completely severed, resulting in some retention of movement and sensation below the level of the injury. Incomplete spinal cord injuries are further broken down into four types:
- Central cord syndrome, affecting the central part of the spinal cord, which is responsible for movement and sensation in the arms and hands.
- Anterior cord syndrome, affecting the front part of the spinal cord, which is responsible for movement in the legs and feet.
- Brown-Séquard syndrome, affecting one half of the spinal cord, leading to a loss of sensation on the affected side of the body and a loss of movement on the opposite side.
- Cauda equina syndrome, affecting the nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord, resulting in a loss of movement and sensation in the bladder, bowel, and legs.
Spinal injuries can also be classified by the level of the injury, which determines which body parts are affected:
- Cervical spinal cord injuries—neck and upper limbs
- Thoracic spinal cord injuries—chest and abdomen
- Lumbar spinal cord injuries—lower back and legs
- Sacral spinal cord injuries—bladder, thighs, and buttocks
- Coccygeal spinal cord injuries (rare)—pelvic floor, sphincter, and rectum
Any of these injuries can be catastrophic and lead to severe lifelong impairments, which can become costly over time. Regardless of the nature and severity of your spine injury, you are entitled to receive the best medical care. If you feel you are unable to get the help you need due to financial constraints, fair compensation for your losses can help tremendously.
Spinal Cord Injury Victims Can Contact Our Firm Today
If you suffered a spinal injury due to another party’s negligence, you deserve to have fierce legal advocacy and an attorney who will fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Our spinal cord injury lawyer is committed to fighting for the money you need.
Contact us today at Ged Lawyers to learn more about your rights and options and receive a free initial consultation. During this phone call, our personal injury law firm can advise you about your legal options and explain how our personal injury attorneys can help you.
