There are few injuries that are more likely to carry permanent consequences than damage to the spine, given that they are likely to result in paralysis. The loss of motor control or physical sensation in any part of your body can be traumatic, especially if it impacts you from the neck down. You have the chance to pursue compensation, and a Lowell spinal cord injury lawyer is here to help. Before accepting a settlement offer or giving a statement to insurance companies, let a dedicated catastrophic injury attorney advise you of your options.
How Do Spinal Injuries Happen?
Spinal cord injuries generally occur from traumatic impacts to the head, neck, or back. They usually involve a tremendous amount of force, strong enough to fracture the bones of the spinal column. These accidents might involve crushing pressure on the body or a sudden impact caused by a fall. Some of the situations where a Lowell spinal cord injury attorney could help include:
- Falls
- Falling objects
- Surgical errors
- Car accidents
- Sporting injuries
- Gunshot wounds
- Truck collisions
Each of these incidents has the potential to lead to life-altering injuries. Let an attorney evaluate the strength of your case and assist you with pursuing fair compensation.
What About Shared Fault?
Responsibility for a spinal cord injury is not always clear. In some cases, the responsible party is apparent, but there are also situations where an injured person shares in the blame. Indiana follows a legal principle called comparative fault to address these scenarios.
Under the comparative fault framework, you have the opportunity to seek compensation for your injuries even when you are up to 50 percent at fault. This is known as the 51% bar rule, meaning that if you are primarily responsible for your accident, then you cannot recover damages.
There are also limits on the amount recoverable when a person shares fault for a spinal cord injury. Awards in these cases are reduced by the plaintiff’s degree of fault. For example, someone found 30 percent responsible for their own injury would see their final damages reduced by that percentage.
It can be difficult to determine who is to blame in some cases. Having the support of a spinal cord injury attorney in Lowell could be critical when it comes to seeking an award.
Damages Related to Spinal Injuries
If your spinal cord injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, they may be liable for your physical, emotional, and financial losses. While there are many types of damages in personal injury law, they generally fall into two broad categories: economic and non-economic losses.
Your economic damages are the out-of-pocket costs associated with your injury. This might include medical care immediately after the accident or your lost wages during the months you were recovering. The ultimate goal is for these damages to return you to the financial position you were in just before the incident.
A non-economic award is different in that these losses cannot be measured objectively. Instead, you will need to establish the value of your claim using evidence like witness testimony to explain how your life was impacted. Common examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering or disfigurement.
Talk to a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Lowell About Your Case
If you are living with paralysis due to a negligent act, it is crucial for you to seek out legal representation right away. With the support of a Lowell spinal cord injury lawyer, you could recoup your financial, emotional, and physical losses. Reach out today to discuss your case during a free private consultation.