According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCSC), there are approximately 17,000 new spinal cord injury (SCI) cases each year in the United States. This number does not include the number of individuals who suffer a SCI in a fatal accident. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries (38 percent) followed by falls (30.5 percent). Other causes of SCI’s include acts of violence, sports injuries, and medical or surgical errors.
Regardless of the cause of the injury, a spinal cord injury can have life-altering consequences for the person and his or her family.
What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
Your spinal cord is the column of nerve tissue in your back that is protected by the bones that make up your spine. This intricate grouping of nerve tissue is what connects the brain to the rest of your body. The spinal cord is responsible for transmitting messages from your brain to the rest of your body. When an injury occurs in the spinal cord, the part of the body controlled by that area of nerve tissue is affected. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may lose partial or complete control over that area of your body.
For example, a spinal cord injury may result in partial or complete paralysis. You could lose some or all sensation and movement in one or all four extremities. In most cases, more of the body is affected the higher up on the spinal cord the injury occurs. With some SCI’s, the person can recover with surgery and physical therapy. Unfortunately, this is not the case for all accidents. Some spinal cord injuries result in permanent paralysis.
Filing A Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit
Because the financial damages incurred because of a spinal cord injury can be substantial, you may want to consider filing a spinal cord injury lawsuit against the party who caused your injury. Depending on the severity of your SCI, you may require life-long personal care and medical care. This type of care can cost millions of dollars over a lifetime. In addition to your medical costs, you are entitled to receive compensation for other damages in a spinal cord injury lawsuit, including but not limited to:
- Lost income, both past and future loss of income and/or loss of earning capacity
- Physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional suffering
- Long-term personal care
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability, scarring, and disfigurement
- Other out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury
A monetary judgment will not take away your pay or undo the damage caused by the injury. However, a financial settlement can provide you and your family with the means to pay for necessary treatment, care, and personal expenses. In addition, a spinal cord injury lawsuit allows you to hold the person or party responsible for the accident that caused your SCI accountable for his or her negligent, reckless, or careless actions.
Do You Need an Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident, you need an experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyer working for you to protect your legal right to recover compensation for your damages from the person who caused your injury.
A spinal cord injury lawsuit is a complex matter that requires experience, skills, and resources to win. You can be assured that the insurance company for the responsible party will have a team of legal professionals working to minimize its liability. You deserve to have your own team of legal professionals fighting for your best interest.
Contact The Ken Nunn Law Office at 1-800-CALL-KEN or 1-800-225-5536 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer. We want to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
