One of the most serious ones is a spinal cord injury.
A spinal cord injury refers to damage to the nerves and cells that send and receive signals from the brain to and from the rest of the body. These injuries can be caused by a direct injury to the spinal cord itself or by damage to the bones and tissue that surround the spinal cord.
A spinal cord injury can lead to long-term issues such as mobility issues and even paralysis in all or part of the body.
There are three types of complete spinal cord injuries:
- Also known as quadriplegia, this refers to the inability to move the upper and lower parts of the body.
- This refers to paralysis of the legs and lower body.
- This is an incomplete spinal injury that causes paralysis to one arm and both legs.
Spinal cord injuries are no laughing matter. These injuries can cause paralysis and require lifelong care.
This medical care can be expensive. Make sure you are fully compensated with help from the Baltimore spine injury lawyer at Furman | Honick Law.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can be caused by the following:
- Car accidents. Motor vehicle crashes cause nearly 40% of spinal cord injuries. They are more likely to occur in crashes involving significant size differences, such as a car vs. a semi truck. Motorcycle accidents and rollover crashes are also likely to cause spinal cord injuries.
- Falls and slips and falls also commonly lead to spinal cord injuries. Those over the age of 65 face an even higher risk. Spinal cord injuries from falls are also common in the workplace, although they can happen anywhere.
- Sports accidents. Contact sports such as football, hockey, soccer, and basketball can lead to spinal cord injuries. Damage often occurs at the neck, resulting in nerve damage, cognitive deficits, and paralysis.
- Violent crime. A stabbing, shooting, assault, or battery can all lead to spinal cord injuries.
Proving Negligence
If your spinal cord injury was intentional and happened during a violent crime, for example, you would be able to file a civil claim whether there is a criminal trial.
Even if the perpetrator is found not guilty, they can still be held liable for your damages. If a violent act did not cause your injury, you must prove negligence.
This means that the person breached their duty and caused you to suffer injuries.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries vary in severity and impact, often requiring long-term care and creating significant financial challenges for the injured and their families.
Complete spinal cord injuries involve a total loss of sensation and movement below the injury site. These injuries limit independence and frequently lead to paraplegia or quadriplegia (tetraplegia), depending on the level of the spinal cord affected.
Severe spinal cord injuries like these demand extensive medical care and rehabilitation, resulting in high medical expenses, physical pain, and the need for long-term physical therapy.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries occur when some nerve fibers remain functional, allowing partial sensation or movement below the injury site.
Common forms include:
- Anterior cord syndrome
- Central cord syndrome
- Brown-Séquard syndrome
Individuals with incomplete injuries may experience partial paralysis, bladder control issues, and coordination difficulties, leading to ongoing medical treatment and substantial financial burden.
Cervical spinal cord injuries affecting the neck region are among the most serious because they occur close to the brain.
These injuries frequently cause quadriplegia and impact breathing, bladder control, and basic mobility, leading to overwhelming hospital bills.
Survivors may require significant assistance with daily activities, which adds further financial strain.
Thoracic spinal cord injuries impacting the upper back usually result in paraplegia, affecting the legs while leaving upper body function intact.
Common causes include:
- Motorcycle accidents
- Sports injuries
- Defective products
Individuals with these injuries need compensation for extensive medical care, lost income, and in-home support due to long recovery times and life adjustments.
Lumbar and sacral spinal cord injuries affect the lower back, primarily impacting leg movement and lower body function.
These injuries cause chronic physical pain and nerve fiber damage, leading to a need for physical therapy and, in some cases, surgical interventions.
Medical bills and financial challenges add up quickly, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation for lost wages and quality of life adjustments.
Spinal cord injuries can result from traumatic incidents like car accidents and sports injuries or non-traumatic causes, including medical malpractice cases such as surgical errors and birth injuries.
The Importance of Having a Lawyer for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case
When dealing with the aftermath of a spinal cord injury, having a skilled attorney on your side is crucial. These injuries are often life-altering, affecting the injured person and their entire family.
With extensive medical expenses, ongoing physical therapy, and the potential for lifelong care, spinal cord injury victims need an experienced advocate to help secure financial compensation for their losses.
A spinal cord injury lawyer understands the complexities of these cases and the high stakes involved. They bring valuable insight into gathering evidence, assessing the severity of the injury, and calculating the financial impact of lost income, future medical bills, and in-home assistance.
Many injuries occur due to another party’s negligence, whether in motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, or even defective products.
An attorney establishes this liability, ensuring the responsible party is held accountable for the physical and emotional distress caused.
For those facing severe spinal cord injuries, the legal process is exasperating.
Working with a law firm with extensive experience in spinal injury cases allows you to focus on recovery while they handle the details of your claim.
Lawyers manage interactions with insurance companies and medical professionals, navigating legal challenges and pushing for fair compensation that reflects the long-term impact of your injuries, including costs for specialized medical equipment, modifications to your home, and even future lost wages.
Beyond just negotiating, a spinal cord injury attorney represents your best interests in court, should litigation become necessary.
In complex cases, such as those involving medical malpractice or surgical error, having a knowledgeable attorney to present evidence and argue your case increases your chances of securing the support you need.
Statute of Limitations in Maryland for Spinal Cord Injury Claims
In Maryland, the law provides a specific timeframe to file a claim for damages related to spinal injuries, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
In most personal injury cases, Maryland law sets a three-year statute of limitations from the date of the injury. This means you have three years from the injury date to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
Missing this deadline usually results in losing the right to pursue compensation, which is devastating when facing extensive medical costs and long-term care needs.
Certain exceptions might affect this timeline. For example, the statute of limitations may differ in medical malpractice cases leading to a spinal injury.
Generally, you have five years from the date of the injury or three years from the date the injury was discovered, whichever occurs first. Cases involving minors or mental incapacity could effect the filing period.
Given the nature of spinal cord injuries and the complexities surrounding personal injury and medical malpractice cases, consulting a knowledgeable spinal cord injury attorney as soon as possible is your best move.
For victims of traumatic injuries, pursuing compensation becomes essential, especially when another party’s negligence played a role.
In non-traumatic cases, spinal cord injury attorneys gather evidence of potential malpractice to hold medical professionals accountable.
The experienced Baltimore personal injury lawyers from Furman | Honick Law can help you get the compensation you deserve for your damages. Call (410) 844-6000 or fill out the online form to schedule a free consultation today.
FAQ
What types of spinal cord injuries can I seek compensation for?
Spinal cord injuries can vary widely in severity, from complete to incomplete injuries. Complete spinal cord injuries result in a total loss of sensation and movement below the injury site, while incomplete injuries allow for some movement or sensation.
What is the statute of limitations for spinal cord injury claims in Maryland?
In Maryland, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including spinal cord injuries, is generally three years from the date of the injury.
Exceptions may apply in cases of medical malpractice, where the deadline may extend to five years from the date of the injury or three years from the date the injury was discovered. Contact our law firm as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed on time.
How can a spinal cord injury lawyer assist me?
A spinal cord injury attorney brings extensive experience to help victims gather evidence, establish negligence, and pursue fair compensation.
From handling negotiations with insurance companies to representing your best interests in court, a spinal cord injury lawyer works to secure compensation for medical care, lost wages, home modifications, and ongoing rehabilitation costs.
What compensation could I receive for my spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injury victims may be eligible for compensation covering a range of expenses, including medical bills, hospital stays, physical therapy, lost wages, and future income losses.
Compensation may account for modifications to your home, in-home assistance, and emotional distress caused by the injury.
Who may be liable for my spinal cord injury?
Several parties may be liable for a spinal cord injury, depending on the circumstances. For example, the at-fault driver might be responsible in motor vehicle accidents. In cases involving defective products, the manufacturer may be held liable.
If medical malpractice, such as a surgical error, led to the injury, the medical professionals involved could be liable. Our attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to identify responsible parties and seek justice for you.
Can I file a claim if my spinal cord injury was caused during a violent crime?
Yes, if your spinal cord injury resulted from a violent crime, you could file a civil claim against the perpetrator, even if no criminal charges were filed or the individual was acquitted in criminal court.
What are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries?
Common causes of spinal cord injuries include car accidents, motorcycle accidents, falls, sports injuries, and violent crimes such as assault or battery. Medical malpractice, including surgical errors or birth injuries, may also lead to spinal cord injuries.
How much will it cost to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer?
At our law firm, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and only pay if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and answer any questions, so you have nothing to lose by contacting us for help.
What should I bring to my consultation with a spinal cord injury attorney?
For your free consultation, it’s helpful to bring any documents related to the incident, including medical records, accident reports, witness statements, photos, and evidence of medical bills or lost income.
This information helps our spinal cord injury attorneys understand your case and build strong compensation claims.