A serious car crash on I-385. A devastating fall from a rooftop construction site downtown. A mishap while enjoying watersports on Lake Hartwell. In mere seconds, a spinal cord injury can turn a Greenville resident's life upside down, affecting their health, career, relationships, and entire future.
A spinal cord injury often stems from an accident resulting from another party's negligence. When facing this type of catastrophic injury, an injured person and their family will have many pressing concerns and questions. An experienced Greenville spinal cord injury lawyer like those at Derrick Law Firm can answer questions and help people with spinal cord injuries decide what to do next.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injury Accidents in Greenville
Spinal cord injuries result from damage to the spinal column or nerves of the spinal cord itself. The most severe injuries cause permanent changes in sensation, strength, and bodily functions below the site of the injury. There are around 18,000 new spinal cord injuries each year in the U.S., often caused by:
- Motor vehicle crashes. Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents are common causes of spinal cord injuries. Crashes on busy Greenville highways like I-85 or winding mountain roads can result in high-impact collisions and rollovers that fracture, dislocate, crush, or compress vertebrae.
- Falls. Falls from heights, such as from ladders, roofs, scaffolding at construction sites, or balconies, frequently lead to spinal cord injuries.
- Violence. Gunshot and knife wounds may cause spinal cord injuries.
- Sports and recreation. High-impact or high-risk sports like football, gymnastics, or diving into shallow pools can cause cervical spinal cord injuries, resulting in quadriplegia.
What Happens After a Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury is a life-altering event not only for the injured party but also for family members who are often suddenly thrust into a caregiving role. Injured individuals face an arduous recovery process involving hospitalization, rehabilitation, therapy, and lasting disabilities that impact every facet of daily life.
In the initial acute treatment phase, spinal cord injury patients often require trauma care, possible surgeries, and immobilization to prevent further damage. Once stabilized, they may transition to rehabilitative therapy to maintain and strengthen existing muscle function, redevelop fine motor skills, and learn adaptive techniques for self-care and mobility. Many people require assistive devices like wheelchairs, walkers, or braces.
The nature and extent of resulting disabilities depend on the severity and location of the spinal cord injury. Damage higher up the spinal column (in the neck) results in quadriplegia affecting all four limbs, while lower injuries cause paraplegia affecting the legs and lower body. Injured individuals may also lose bladder and bowel control and may have impaired circulatory, respiratory, and sexual functioning.
Beyond the physical impact, spinal cord injuries take a heavy mental and emotional toll. Many people with spinal cord injuries experience depression, anxiety, and social isolation. They often cannot return to work and require drastic home modifications. Family members must adapt to caregiving responsibilities and financial strain from medical bills and lost income.
Suggested Steps to Take After a Greenville Spinal Cord Injury Accident
After a spinal cord injury, taking the proper steps can be important to protecting an injured person's health and legal rights:
- Emergency medical treatment. Call 911 immediately and ensure the injured person is stabilized and transported to a hospital for emergency trauma care.
- Rehabilitation and follow-up care. Participate fully in rehabilitation at facilities like the Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital. Follow doctor and therapist instructions for medications, therapy exercises, and assistive devices.
- Document everything. Keep records of police reports, medical bills, household expenses, and other documentation of the injury's physical, emotional, and financial impact. Create a journal about challenges and milestones in recovery.
- Preserve evidence. If possible, collect evidence from the accident scene, such as photos, videos, clothing, and equipment involved. Get contact information for witnesses.
- Avoid insurance adjusters. Do not give recorded or written statements or sign any documents from insurance companies without consulting an attorney.
- Consult a Greenville spinal cord injury lawyer. Reach out to an experienced spinal cord injury attorney to discuss the details of your case and your legal options for pursuing compensation.
Taking these steps in the challenging time after a devastating accident can feel overwhelming. The right Greenville spinal cord injury lawyer can shoulder the legal burdens and fight tirelessly for the compensation their client may deserve.
Compensation in Greenville Spinal Cord Injury Claims
Spinal cord injuries result in staggering expenses. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, spinal cord injury costs may exceed $1 million in the first year alone and potentially millions more over a lifetime. Injured individuals and families should not have to bear those crippling costs alone when another person's negligence caused the accident.
Bringing a spinal cord injury claim allows survivors to pursue vital compensation for damages such as:
- Past and future medical bills for surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitative care, medical equipment, and ongoing care
- Lost wages from missed work during recovery and loss of future earning potential from permanent disabilities
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium for spouses
- Modifications to homes and vehicles and other out-of-pocket expenses
While no amount of money can reverse the immense damage done, maximizing compensation can relieve financial stress, provide the best possible care and adaptive equipment, and restore a sense of justice.
However, recovering compensation often means going up against insurance companies that employ adjusters and attorneys fighting to pay out as little as possible. An experienced Greenville spinal cord injury lawyer can stand up to insurers, thoroughly value your damages, and use all available evidence to build the strongest case possible.
Choosing a Greenville Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Choosing the right spinal cord injury attorney is an important decision for Greenville accident survivors. A knowledgeable, experienced lawyer may help spinal cord injury victims recover the full and fair compensation needed to pay expenses, adapt to disabilities, and move forward.
When selecting a Greenville spinal cord injury attorney, look for:
- Relevant experience. Choose an attorney with a track record of success handling catastrophic injury and spinal cord injury cases specifically.
- Investigative resources. Spinal cord injury cases can be fact-intensive, requiring accident reconstruction, medical expert testimony, and other evidence to prove fault and damages. Look for a law firm with the resources to investigate your case thoroughly.
- Reputation and reviews. Although past results never guarantee future results, an attorney's reputation for client service, professionalism, and dedication to maximizing results matters. Read former client testimonials to learn how Derrick Law Firm Injury Lawyers has helped clients with spinal cord injuries.
- Personal connection. Clients work closely with their lawyers during challenging times, so it's important to find someone compassionate, responsive, and committed to their cause. Our spinal cord injury attorneys and the team they work with strive to treat clients like family.
Suffering a spinal cord injury is among the most challenging experiences a person can face. The physical, emotional, and financial fallout is devastating and overwhelming. However, injured individuals and families are not alone. With an experienced Greenville spinal cord injury lawyer as an advocate, survivors can protect their rights and prepare for the future.
