South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
Although it is possible to recover from a mild spinal cord injury, severe damage to the area around the spinal canal could be permanent, depending on the particular location and severity of the damages. Having adequate funds for medical care and rehabilitative treatments may be necessary to ensure optimum health and financial well-being. Inquiring with a licensed attorney who has experience working with serious injury law, is highly recommended to pursue the rightful amount of financial support you may legally deserve to cover the costs associated with your spinal cord injury.
The legal team at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers understands the difficulties spinal cord injury victims and their families face, especially when the injuries are long-term or permanent. Let our reputable staff help answer any legal questions you may have regarding our spinal cord injury claim. We offer free, first-time claim reviews and there is no obligation required if you decide not to move forward.
Read on to learn more about spinal cord injuries and why many of them end up becoming permanent. Keep in mind that seeking financial compensation for a permanent injury could be drastically different from a case involving a temporary one. This is why we urge you to speak to a qualified legal professional if you sustained a spinal cord injury that may be considered permanent.
What is Considered a Permanent Spinal Cord Injury?
Any injury that is not expected to improve is considered a permanent injury. According to serious injury law in Florida, if you wish to file a claim for a permanent spinal cord injury, it must be determined by your doctor in writing.
If you plan on seeking financial compensation by filing a personal injury claim, you and your lawyer will need to present this documentation along with evidence of your injury, such as diagnostic tests and medical reports from your healthcare provider.
What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries to Become Permanent?
The spinal cord is the main connection between your brain and the rest of your body. The nerves, vertebrae, tissue, and ligaments around the spinal cord are extremely sensitive and can sometimes become damaged beyond repair.
Damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal, could cause permanent effects on strength, sensation, and other bodily functions below the site of the injury. The location and severity of your spinal cord injury will determine your ability to control your limbs.
The lowest part of the unharmed part of the spinal cord is referred to as the neurological level of your injury, while the “completeness” describes the severity of your spinal cord injury:
Incomplete spinal cord injury – When the victim still has some sensation and motor function below the damaged area, it is often categorized as an incomplete spinal cord injury.
Complete spinal cord injury – This is when the victim loses all sensation and motor function below the affected area on the spine.
Some spinal cord injuries can partially heal with the help of modern medicine, which allows many victims to live productive, independent lives. However, many victims of permanent spinal cord injuries often end up confined to a wheelchair and/or needing at-home care.
Sometimes, permanent spinal cord injury victims may need to move into an assisted living facility or nursing home. This could become extremely costly over a long period. This is why it is critical to discuss your spinal cord injury with a licensed attorney from our firm. Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers never settle for less when we help our clients seek their financial compensation for their injuries.
Common Causes for Serious Spinal Cord Injuries
Serious spinal cord injuries can happen just about anywhere. Some of the most common causes for permanent spinal cord injuries are attributed to:
Car crashes – Sometimes a serious car crash can cause severe spinal cord damage, especially when the other driver was traveling over the speed limit. Having a good car accident lawyer on your side could help you hold the at-fault driver liable for your spinal cord injury.
Slip and fall accidents – Falling directly on your back can cause serious spinal cord damage, especially if the fall was from a high place. However, even the slightest slip can lead to a permanent spinal cord injury. Wet floors, poor lighting, damaged flooring, broken steps, and loose handrails are just some common ways slip and fall accidents have been known to occur.
Truck crashes – Because of their sheer weight and massive size, serious truck crashes often cause catastrophic spinal cord injuries and sometimes death. Some truck drivers spend long hours on the road, which may cause fatigue and the results could be life-changing.
Pedestrian accidents – When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the chances of a severe spinal cord injury increases exponentially. A pedestrian has no protection against the weight and force behind a moving vehicle, regardless of the speed.
Motorcycle crashes – Similar to a pedestrian accident, motorcycle riders have very little protection around them against other vehicles or other objects on the road, especially when traveling at a high rate of speed. Since they lack the safety features a car would provide, such as seatbelts and airbags, motorcyclists are often thrown off their bikes, which could cause severe spinal cord damage if they land on the pavement or are struck by another vehicle.
Workplace accidents – Sometimes accidents happen at work and the results could cause victims to lose pay if they can no longer perform their duties. However, if you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury at the workplace, you could hold your employer responsible for your damages.
Medical malpractice – Although most medical professionals do their jobs to the best of their ability, mistakes can be made in the medical field. If it is found that a medical professional’s error contributed to your spinal cord injury, you could be eligible for a medical malpractice claim and hold the healthcare staff and/or facility accountable.
Construction accidents – Whether you are a construction worker or passerby, construction areas can be very dangerous for anyone, even when safety measures are in place. Slippery surfaces, unstable scaffolding, falling debris, or materials and getting crushed by machinery can all result in a permanent spinal cord injury.
Choose an Attorney You Can Trust
Whether you or someone you know sustained a spinal cord injury that was the result of another’s negligence in Palm Beach Gardens, you could be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. However, it is important that you choose an attorney with a reputable background and a proven track record.
Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers have been practicing serious injury law for more than 40 years combined. Our accomplished attorneys have received over 600-plus, five-star reviews while amassing more than $100,000,000 combined in successful verdicts and settlements, on behalf of our past clients.
Call our firm anytime, 24/7, to schedule a cost-free, initial consultation for your spinal cord injury claim. We can help determine whether you may be eligible for funds to pay for past, present, and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages if you missed work during recovery, and property damages related to the accident.
Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers can be reached by calling (561) 800-8000 or you can chat with an online representative.