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How Much Compensation Can I Receive For A Spinal Cord Injury?

spinal cord injury

It is estimated about 300,000 people are living with a spinal cord injury in the US, usually because of vehicle accidents, falls, medical errors, and sports injuries. If you are in an accident and suffer a spinal cord injury, you may have serious medical bills, long-term disability, loss of income, and other losses. When someone’s negligence caused the accident, you could be entitled to compensation in a lawsuit, and the help of an attorney is critically important for the best outcome. For help with your case, speak to our Antioch spinal cord injury lawyers today.

The Economic Costs Of A Spinal Cord Injury

The most severe cost related to a spinal cord injury involves medical care. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the initial year of medical care can range from nearly $400,000 to almost $1 million, depending on the degree of injury. Also, ongoing costs of spinal cord injury can range from tens of thousands to more than $200,000 annually. For paraplegia, first-year costs can be approximately $518,000, and subsequent years may be approximately $68,000.

There are other economic costs to consider with a spinal cord injury. People with spinal cord injuries often cannot work anymore or may need to work in lower-paying professions. The lost income can have a significant impact on their lives going forward. The severe economic costs of a spinal cord injury are why retaining a skilled spinal cord injury lawyer in Antioch is vital. Your attorney will hire medical and economic experts who can accurately value your economic losses and ensure you get enough money to cover your medical bills and loss of income for the future.

The Non-Economic Costs Of A Spinal Cord Injury

Another aspect of spinal cord injury compensation is non-economic costs. These severe losses, such as medical bills, do not have specific dollar costs but involve the physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering that injury victims and their families suffer. Your personal injury attorney will account for some or all of the following non-economic losses in your claim or lawsuit:

  • Physical pain and suffering related to the spinal cord injury
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Loss of an intimate relationship with a spouse or family member
  • The psychological and emotional trauma that the injury causes

Potential Compensation For A Spinal Cord Injury

As noted earlier, the compensation available for a spinal cord injury depends on the degree of injury and related factors. Depending on the degree of paralysis and economic and non-economic losses, a settlement could be worth anywhere from $100,000 to over a million. However, all cases differ, and you should have your case reviewed by an experienced spinal cord injury attorney to understand your case’s value better.

Examples Of Spinal Cord Injury Settlements

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) represent profound and often devastating events that can significantly alter the course of a person’s life. These injuries can lead to substantial long-term medical expenses, a permanent loss of mobility, and profound emotional distress that affects not only the victims but also their families. In seeking justice and financial relief, many victims pursue compensation through legal claims. The amounts awarded in settlements can vary widely, depending on factors such as the severity of the injury, the degree of liability assigned to the responsible parties, and the financial damages incurred.

Notable Spinal Cord Injury Settlements

$18 Million Settlement – In a landmark case, a 26-year-old man suffered catastrophic spinal cord injuries after falling 18 feet through an unsecured manhole. This tragic incident occurred due to the negligence of a company that failed to properly secure the manhole cover, leading to this life-altering accident. The substantial payout was a reflection of the severe consequences of the company’s oversight.

$54 Million Jury Award – A heart-wrenching case involved a nine-year-old girl who was left quadriplegic after a federal employee recklessly ran a red light, crashing into her family’s vehicle. The jury awarded a staggering $54 million to cover the extensive and ongoing medical care required for her condition, including an arduous series of 24 surgeries and the necessity for long-term nursing support, highlighting the profound impact such injuries have on young lives.

$800,000 College Football Injury Settlement – A former college linebacker experienced a devastating injury that resulted in paralysis during a competitive game. His subsequent settlement of $800,000 with the educational institution underscored the inherent risks associated with contact sports and illustrated the critical need for proper medical oversight and protective measures for athletes.

Multi-Million Dollar Settlements for Car Accidents

Vehicle crashes are often a common source of spinal cord injuries, resulting in substantial compensation. Many of these cases lead to settlements exceeding $1 million, particularly when the injury severity is high and the long-term medical needs are significant. The emotional and physical challenges faced by victims and their families contribute to the overall settlement values.

Factors Affecting Settlement Amounts

Several key factors play a crucial role in determining the amount of compensation awarded in spinal cord injury cases:

Severity of Injury – Cases involving complete paralysis generally yield higher compensation than those involving partial impairments, as the impact on quality of life and medical needs is far more significant.

Medical Expenses – The costs associated with medical treatment—ranging from surgeries and rehabilitative therapies to the need for assistive devices—can heavily influence the settlement amount as victims face ongoing healthcare needs.

Lost Wages & Future Earnings – Victims who are unable to return to work often seek compensation for their lost income and potential future earnings, further affecting settlement discussions.

Pain & Suffering – The emotional toll of an SCI can be immense, leading to significant pain and suffering claims. This aspect takes into account the diminished quality of life and the psychological impact on both the injured party and their loved ones.

Liability & Negligence – The presence of clear evidence of negligence or wrongdoing typically leads to larger settlements, as it establishes the responsibility of the parties involved and the extent of their liability for the life-altering consequences faced by victims

Spinal cord injury claims require experienced legal representation to ensure fair compensation. Victims should consult attorneys specializing in catastrophic injuries to navigate complex negotiations and secure financial support for long-term care.

Contact Our Antioch Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Now

Understanding spinal cord injury settlements can help victims and families prepare for legal proceedings and advocate for their rights. If you suffered a spinal cord injury because of someone’s negligence, you may face hundreds of thousands in medical bills and other losses. Contact our Antioch spinal cord injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C. for help with your spinal cord injury case at (847) 395-2200.

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How to Avoid Spinal Injuries When Diving

Spinal InjuriesDiving can cause serious spinal injuries, but these are preventable if precautions are taken beforehand. A single dive can result in disabilities that impact your quality of life. Most diving injuries occur in swimming pools, creeks, rivers, lakes, and other swimming holes.

How You Can Injure Your Spinal Cord During A Dive

A spinal cord injury results from severe trauma to the bundle of nerves in the bone that run from the base of the brain to the waist. This can happen during a poorly planned dive. For example, if the diver plunges headfirst into the shallow part of a pond, their head may hit the bottom hard enough to result in this injury.

When the head strikes the bottom, the vertebrae covering the spinal cord collapse, thus preventing the nerves from transmitting signals to and from the brain. This usually leads to paralysis, but depending on the location of the injury, you can suffer from other debilitating complications as well.

This is understandable. When the entire weight of our body hits the bottom of a pool, the sheer force of the impact has an immense effect on the cervical spine. Most of these accidents occur in water that is less than three feet deep, so paralysis is imminent in most cases. According to an experienced Grayslake spinal cord injury lawyer, a preventable accident can result in permanent machine dependency.

How to Avoid Diving Spinal Injuries

Some of the best ways to avoid spinal injuries from a dive include the following:

  • NEVER dive into the shallow end of a pool. There is a reason there are no diving boards there.
  • Always enter feet first into the water. Don’t guess the depth and dive in headfirst.
  • Do not drink alcohol before a swim or dive. It will impair your judgment, and you may dive in without taking precautions.
  • Don’t dive if you are inexperienced. Water may look soft, but it cannot cushion you sufficiently if you dive in headfirst. Your body enters the water like a torpedo. The water may not be able to protect you from serious impact. Experienced divers know how to prevent serious injuries when they dive.
  • Don’t think you can dive anywhere safely because you are an experienced swimmer. You may be taller than before, and each body of water is different.

Top Signs of a Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury is imminent if you fail to take the precautions mentioned above before a dive. If you experience these symptoms post-dive, call emergency services immediately:

  • Weakness in your limbs.
  • Cuts and bruises across your face.
  • Tingling and numbness in your arms and legs.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Partial or complete paralysis.
  • A tender back or neck.

Contact the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens and Get the Compensation You Deserve

You deserve fair financial compensation, whether you suffered a spinal cord injury during a dive or a car accident. Why should you pay out of pocket for someone else’s negligence? Get in touch with a compassionate and experienced Grayslake spinal cord injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens today. We have years of experience fighting for the rights of spinal cord injury victims such as yourself and can ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

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What Are Most Spinal Injuries Caused By?

Spinal InjuriesStatistics On Spinal Injuries

A spinal cord injury refers to damages to the spinal cord itself or to nearby bones or tissues. Depending on the seriousness of the injury, you can lose mobility or function in various parts of your body. The National Spinal Cord Injury Association reports that around 17,000 new spinal cord injuries are diagnosed in the U.S. every year.

 

Spinal cord injuries also happen to be the most expensive issue to cure. An estimated $9.7 billion is spent on treating spinal cord injuries every year. To avoid the pain, inconvenience, and medical costs associated with spinal cord injuries, it’s best to avoid the problem in the first place. An understanding of the causes of this medical condition can help you avoid the problem.

 

Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries result from damage to the ligaments or disks of the spinal cord, spinal column, or vertebrae. A sudden, tough shock to the spine that fractures, compresses, dislocates, or crushes multiple vertebrae can cause a severe back injury. A knife wound or gunshot that enters and cuts through your spinal cord can also lead to the condition.

 

Subsequent damage stems from bleeding, inflammation, fluid accumulation, and swelling around the spinal cord in the following days and even weeks.

 

A less problematic spinal cord injury can occur due to conditions like cancer, arthritis, disk degeneration of the spine, or other infections.

 

Regardless of whether a back injury is severe or non-severe, the damage impacts the nerve fibers that go through the injured region, thereby impairing one or more of the muscles and nerves under the affected area.

 

Let’s now study a few instances that often trigger spinal cord injuries:

 

Slip and Fall: Spinal injuries sustained after the age of 65 mostly result from slip and fall incidents. According to Mayo Clinic, falls are responsible for 31% of these injuries.

 

Alcohol Consumption: Yes, alcohol can cause spinal cord injuries too. In fact, one in four spinal cord injuries is associated with alcohol usage.

 

Auto Accidents: Motorcycle and car accidents are the #1 reason behind spinal cord injuries, responsible for almost 50 percent of all spinal injuries sustained each year.

 

Diseases: As mentioned earlier, certain pre-existing conditions can also exacerbate the condition. These may include arthritis, cancer, and osteoporosis.

 

Recreation and Sports Activities: Around 10% of spinal cord injuries stem from athletic activities such as diving in water that is shallow and impact sports.

 

Acts of Violence: Violent encounters, especially those involving gunshots or knife wounds, may also cause spinal cord injuries. These account for 13 percent of spinal cord injuries.

 

Personal Injury Attorney

Contact Our Personal Injury Attorney In Antioch

Now that you have a profound understanding of the common causes of spinal injuries, try your best to avoid them. If you do face a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s conduct, you will need to file your personal injury claim to seek compensation for the damages. Robert Edens is among the most experienced back injury lawyers in Antioch. To seek legal advice, contact him at your earliest!