A serious spinal injury can make it difficult to work and live a normal life, resulting in lasting effects on not only the injured person but also their loved ones. On top of the physical pain, these injuries can lead to both emotional and financial distress.
Spinal cord injuries can have lifelong consequences. In some of the best cases, they lead to lifelong discomfort, but in some of the worst, they can render the victim paralyzed or in need of full-time care. You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one sustained an injury because of someone else’s negligent behavior. An experienced Jersey City spinal cord injury attorney can evaluate the facts of your case and help you understand your options.
How Do Spinal Cord Injuries Occur?
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Because of this connection, damage to the spinal cord can affect mobility, body control, and even brain function. The spinal column protects these nerves, but it is not impenetrable. This type of injury occurs when the spinal cord or a nerve attached to it is damaged. Injuries to the spinal cord are generally serious and should be treated immediately.
After an initial medical examination, a doctor may recommend imaging diagnostics such as X-rays, CAT scans, or MRIs to understand the nature and extent of the damage.
Knowing the cause of your spinal cord injury is important for ensuring your spinal cord injury attorney in Jersey City can have a starting point to build a strong case on your behalf. Injuries to the spinal cord can be the result of trauma, disease, or a degenerative disorder, and according to the United Spinal Association, approximately 17,700 Americans suffer a spinal cord injury every year. Some of the most common causes include falls, motor vehicle accidents, diving accidents, sports injuries, trampoline accidents, infections, birth injuries, and violence such as gunshots or stab wounds.
Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries in Jersey City
Victims of spinal cord injuries caused by another person or entity’s careless or intentional actions may be entitled to compensation for the physical, mental, emotional, and financial damage they have sustained. Compensation often includes the following:
- Reimbursement of past medical expenses related to the injury;
- Future projected medical expenses based on your prognosis;
- The cost of medical equipment and adjustments to your living space to allow accessibility;
- Physical therapy and other ongoing treatment for the injury;
- Lost wages while the accident victim was recovering from the spinal cord injury and unable to work,
- Lost future earning capacity if the victim is unable to return to work or unable to earn the same wage because of the injury;
- The cost of a resident healthcare facility or in-home care if the victim can no longer live independently;
- Pain and suffering;
- Post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety; and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Your spinal cord injury lawyers will reach out to medical professionals to provide testimony regarding the severity of your injuries and a reasonable recovery prognosis. Vocational experts may be consulted to calculate your wage loss projections if you cannot return to your previous job or type of employment. Your spinal injury lawyers will also help you assign a dollar amount to the trauma and negative impact you have endured because of your injury.
Contact a Jersey City Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Spinal cord injuries are serious, and you should not have to suffer any more than you already have. The Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C. team understands that every case is unique and deserves a legal strategy to pursue maximum compensation. We have recovered over $100 million in settlements and verdicts in and around Jersey City. We pride ourselves on aggressively advocating for our clients at the negotiation table and in the courtroom.
Contact us today to schedule your free case consultation.
Our Jersey City spinal cord injury lawyers also handle the following types of cases:
