Spinal cord injuries can affect every part of life. These catastrophic injuries can lead to large medical bills and may require long-term medical care and support. If you've suffered this type of injury, contact the TWWHB to discuss pursuing compensation for your injuries and related hardships.
The Florida spinal cord injury lawyers at Taylor, Warren, Weidner, Hancock, & Barnes, P.A. (TWWHB) are ready to help after you or a loved one experiences a spinal cord injury (SCI). Our experienced TBI attorneys are dedicated to guiding survivors through every step of the legal process. Spinal cord injury cases often result in compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and mental distress, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
If you suffered a spinal cord injury, call TWWHB today to learn how we can help.
TWWHB: Your Florida Spinal Cord Injury Legal Team
TWWHB's spinal cord injury lawyers approach every case with respect and understanding. Having worked with countless spinal cord injury victims, we fully recognize how significantly a spinal cord injury can affect your life. Our legal team takes the time to understand your needs, listen to your story, and create personalized legal strategies. Our first goal is to ensure that you feel supported, respected, and listened to throughout the entire claims process.
After we fully understand the scope of your case, we then take action. This means gathering evidence, consulting medical specialists, and coordinating a thorough accident investigation. We prepare every case to maximize compensation, exploring every angle of how your injury has affected your life. Our personal injury lawyers will stand by you every step of the way, even if this means going to trial to get a fair outcome.
Our experienced spinal cord attorneys are here to help you receive fair compensation for any lost income, medical expenses, and ongoing care costs. From the moment a claim is filed, insurance companies often attempt to deny or undervalue your claim. If necessary, we are ready to go to battle with your insurer in court to guarantee that financial difficulties stemming from a spinal cord injury never get in the way of your recovery.
Speak to a Florida Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Spinal Cord Injuries: An Overview
A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when any part of the spinal cord is damaged. The spinal cord is responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Injuries to the spinal cord often result in lasting changes in strength, movement, sensation, and other bodily functions below the injury level.
After sustaining a spinal cord injury, a medical professional will evaluate the injury to determine if it is complete or incomplete. A spinal cord injury is considered complete when all sensation and voluntary movement are lost below the site of the injury. A spinal cord injury is classified as incomplete if some sensation and motor function remain below the affected area. Incomplete injuries can vary widely in severity.
How Spinal Cord Injuries Occur
Spinal cord injuries result from direct harm to the spinal cord itself or from damage to the surrounding vertebrae. They can also arise when the ligaments or discs that stabilize and protect the spine are injured. Most often, these injuries occur after a sudden, forceful impact to the body (for example, a car accident).
Spinal cord trauma can fracture or displace the spinal bones, damaging the fragile nerve fibers within the spinal cord. This disruption interferes with communication between the brain and the body, frequently leading to loss of movement, motor control, and sensation.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
The Mayo Clinic cites the following as the most common causes of spinal cord injuries:
Traffic Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents, including car and motorcycle crashes, are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries. This type of event is the cause of almost 50% of all spinal injury cases. Motor vehicle accidents commonly arise from careless driving, inadequate vehicle upkeep, or unsafe roadway conditions. Our spinal cord injury lawyers thoroughly investigate every possible contributing factor to build a strong case and help you obtain the fullest recovery possible.
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Significant falls, especially on poorly maintained or hazardous properties, carry a high risk of spinal cord injuries and are the leading cause of spinal injuries among people over the age of 65. We carefully examine the details of each case, collect relevant evidence, and work with medical experts to assess the full extent of your injuries. Our attorneys handle all communications with insurance companies and vigorously pursue compensation for your medical expenses, rehabilitation, and lost income.
Injuries Sustained in the Workplace
Construction and industrial jobs in particular carry a high risk of spinal cord injuries. Accidents such as falls from heights, malfunctioning or poorly maintained equipment, and improperly secured objects are the cause of 12-25% of spinal cord injuries. These injuries are life-altering. Our team assists you in filing for state benefits while investigating potential third-party liabilities, making sure every opportunity for compensation is pursued.
Healthcare Malpractice
About 5% of spinal cord injuries are caused by medical malpractice. Medical errors, including surgical mistakes, misdiagnoses, or improper treatment, are a leading cause of preventable spinal cord injuries.
At TWWHB, our experienced spinal cord injury attorneys carefully investigate every detail of your case to identify negligent doctors, nurses, or healthcare facilities. We work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable and help you secure the compensation you need for your medical expenses, long-term care, and overall recovery. Partnering with an experienced spinal cord injury attorney can significantly strengthen your claim and improve your overall results.
Common Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal cord is a tube of tissue extending from your brain to the lower back. Nerve signals travel the spinal cord between your brain and the rest of your body, enabling sensation, movement, and vital functions like breathing. Damage to the spinal cord can impair movement and disrupt normal body functions.
Symptoms of a spinal cord injury may include tingling or numbness, paralysis, muscle weakness, pain, and loss of control over bodily functions. The spinal cord is crucial to maintaining these functions, and any injury to the area is often life-changing and typically demands comprehensive medical treatment, sometimes ongoing, rehabilitation, and ongoing support.
What To Do After a Spinal Cord Injury
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Stay still. Stay as still as possible, and call 911 or have a bystander call on your behalf. Even “minor” spinal cord injuries can be life-changing events if the victim is moved or jostled after injury. Exacerbated spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis, loss of sensation, and difficulties with bladder and bowel function.
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See a doctor immediately. Seeking medical care immediately after your SCI can help reduce long-term damage and improve recovery outcomes. Diagnosis typically includes neurological evaluations and imaging tests. Rehabilitation aims to help individuals regain as much independence and quality of life as possible, even in cases of permanent impairment.'
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Speak to a spinal injury attorney. Reach out to a skilled and knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible after the accident so they can explain your rights. Ideally, do so before you speak with an insurance company or provide any statements, documents, or other information. Insurance carriers may request several statements, hoping you'll give inconsistent answers, or seek access to your medical or financial records to downplay your injuries.
Choose TWWHB, Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Spinal cord injury lawsuits are often complex, involving the potential for significant financial compensation, but also for aggressive tactics from insurance companies. The skilled spinal cord injury attorneys at TWWHB have extensive experience handling these cases and understand the unique challenges victims face.
Speak to a Florida Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the leading causes of spinal cord injuries?
Statistics from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) show the leading causes of spinal cord injuries in the U.S. include motor vehicle accidents (about 37–38%), followed by falls (31–32%). Acts of violence, most commonly gunshot or knife wounds, account for roughly 14–15%, while sports and recreational activities make up about 5–8%. Other contributors include surgical complications (around 4%).
What steps do I need to take after a spinal cord injury?
After a spinal cord injury, seek immediate medical care and follow your doctor's instructions. Early treatment aids recovery and creates a detailed medical record, which can help your attorney build a successful personal injury case. Preserve all medical documents and gather evidence like photos, accident reports, and witness contacts to strengthen your claim and maximize compensation.
Next, reach out to a spinal cord injury lawyer to discuss your case. A lawyer can explain your legal options, manage all interactions with insurance companies, and start collecting the evidence needed to strengthen your claim. Taking action promptly helps preserve crucial proof and ensures you meet key filing deadlines. With knowledgeable legal support, you can seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and the long-term financial impact of your injury.
What kinds of financial recovery could I qualify for?
Compensation for a spinal cord injury can be significant. It may include emergency care, hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitation services, medication, assistive devices, and any necessary home or vehicle modifications. A successful spinal cord injury lawsuit will also compensate you for lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and future care expenses.
Additionally, things like your physical pain, psychological distress, and loss of independence are also collectible. If your spinal cord injury has resulted in a loss in your quality of life or strained your relationships with your family members, these factors may also be collectible under Florida personal injury law.
Finally, in cases involving gross negligence or reckless conduct, courts may also award punitive damages. These large awards are intended to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future. The severity and permanence of the injury, along with its impact on your life, can greatly influence the final compensation amount.
Have you sustained a spinal cord injury? Reach out to TWWHB at (850) 438-4899 for a no-cost consultation.