Florida Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

A spinal cord injury (SCI) can have devastating consequences, impacting a person’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Injuries to the cervical spine are especially serious, as trauma to this area can result in severe, life-altering effects and significant economic damages. Whether caused by a motor vehicle accident, workplace incident, medical malpractice, or another act of someone else’s negligence, spinal cord injury victims have the right to pursue justice and secure financial recovery. Immediate medical treatment is crucial not only for protecting your health but also for strengthening your legal claim through proper documentation.

At Levin Litigation, PLLC, we specialize in representing clients with spinal cord injury claims, ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve, which often covers substantial medical bills resulting from spinal cord injuries.

What Are Spinal Cord Injuries?

Spinal cord injuries are among the most severe injuries a person can endure, often leading to permanent disability and significant lifestyle changes. The spinal cord is divided into several sections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral, each controlling different parts of the body. The spinal cord serves as the body’s communication highway between the brain and the rest of the body. Damage to this crucial system can result in loss of movement, sensation, and various bodily functions. The effects of a spinal cord injury depend on the injury site and whether the injury is complete or incomplete, which influences the extent of paralysis and functional loss.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are classified into two main categories:

• Complete Spinal Cord Injury: This results in a total loss of movement and sensation below the injury level. Complete paralysis can occur, affecting essential functions such as limb movement and bladder control.
• Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: In contrast, an incomplete SCI leaves some function intact. The extent of recovery varies, depending on the severity and location of the injury.

The classification and severity of a spinal cord injury depends on whether the injury is complete or incomplete, which affects the extent of paralysis and functional loss.

The long-term prognosis for spinal cord injuries varies greatly depending on the injury’s severity and location, as well as the patient’s overall health. Patients with complete spinal cord injuries often require lifelong assistance with daily activities and ongoing medical care. Different types of spinal cord injuries carry different legal valuations, with complete injuries generally resulting in higher damages than incomplete injuries. Common long-term complications for spinal cord injury patients can include chronic pain, muscle spasms, and respiratory issues.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries occur in various situations, many of which are preventable. Falls are a major cause of spinal cord injuries, especially among older adults and in workplace settings. Understanding these causes helps individuals recognize their rights and seek legal compensation when negligence is involved. Understanding your legal rights and pursuing a legal claim is essential for recovering damages after a spinal cord injury caused by someone else’s negligence. Acts of violence, such as gunshot wounds and stabbings, can also lead to spinal cord injuries.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car, motorcycle, and truck accidents are leading causes of spinal cord injuries. Motor vehicle accidents frequently cause injuries to the cervical spine, herniated discs, and spinal fractures. High-speed collisions often result in severe trauma to the spine. These injuries can result in significant nerve damage, affecting movement and sensation.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Premises liability cases, such as slip and fall accidents, can lead to spinal cord injuries. Identifying the injury site is crucial for diagnosing the severity and type of spinal cord injury resulting from falls, as it directly affects treatment options and prognosis. Hazards like wet floors, icy walkways, and uneven surfaces increase the risk of serious falls.

Workplace Accidents

Certain professions—especially construction and industrial jobs—pose a higher risk of spinal injuries. Workplace accidents in these settings can result in spinal cord trauma, often caused by falls, machinery mishaps, or heavy lifting. Falls from heights, machinery accidents, or being struck by objects can cause catastrophic damage. Workers’ Compensation provides coverage for lost wages and medical expenses related to work injuries.

Sports and Recreational Activities

High-impact sports like football, diving, and gymnastics pose a risk of spinal cord injuries, with sports injuries being a common source of spinal cord trauma. Improper technique, lack of protective gear, or unsafe environments contribute to these incidents.

Acts of Violence

Physical assaults, gunshot wounds, and other violent acts can cause direct spinal trauma, leading to severe and long-term consequences.

Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation After a Spinal Injury 

Medical treatment and rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries are complex and require a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to address the full scope of challenges faced by spinal cord injury victims. When a cord injury occurs, immediate medical care is critical to stabilize the spine, prevent further injury, and manage any life-threatening complications. This often involves emergency interventions, such as surgery to repair fractured vertebrae, relieve pressure on the spinal cord, or stabilize the spinal column. Medical professionals work swiftly to minimize spinal cord damage and set the stage for the best possible recovery.

Once the injured person is stabilized, the focus shifts to rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is a vital part of the recovery journey for those with spinal cord injuries, whether the injury is classified as an incomplete spinal cord injury or a complete spinal cord injury. Physical therapy and occupational therapy are essential for helping individuals regain motor function, adapt to new limitations, and manage chronic pain.

What Is the Average Recovery Time After a Serious Injury?

There is no specific timeline when it comes to spinal cord injury recovery. The road to recovery often requires ongoing treatment, including regular medical appointments, specialized therapies, and the use of assistive devices to support mobility and independence. Many spinal cord injury victims will need home and vehicle modifications to accommodate their new needs, as well as continued support for daily living activities. These necessary adjustments can result in significant medical expenses and future medical costs, placing a heavy financial burden on the injured person and their family.

Can a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Help Me?

A spinal cord injury lawyer plays a key role in helping victims recover compensation for these extensive costs. By filing a personal injury claim or spinal cord injury lawsuit, individuals can seek fair compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Legal representation is especially important when dealing with insurance companies, who may attempt to minimize payouts or dispute the extent of the injury. A Florida spinal cord injury attorney will advocate for the injured person, ensuring that all current and future medical expenses, lost income, and necessary modifications are fully accounted for in any settlement or verdict.

Navigating the legal process after a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming, but with the support of an experienced personal injury lawyer, victims can focus on their recovery while their legal team fights for their rights. 

Why Legal Help Is Crucial for Spinal Cord Injury Claims

If you or a loved one suffers a spinal cord injury, securing the right legal representation is critical. Filing a spinal cord injury claim is often complex, and understanding your rights and the process can be overwhelming. Spinal cord injury claims are a type of legal claim and are often handled as personal injury cases or personal injury lawsuits, which require careful attention to both the legal and medical aspects of your situation. At Levin Litigation, we offer comprehensive legal services to help clients navigate their claims and achieve fair compensation for their injuries. Here’s how our legal team can assist:

• Investigating the Case : Our team will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury. This includes reviewing medical records, gathering evidence, obtaining witness testimonies, and identifying all parties involved in the negligence that led to the injury. The strength of your spinal cord injury claim depends on the documentation and evidence your personal injury lawyer can provide.
• Determining Liability: In many spinal cord injury cases, determining the responsible party or parties can be a complicated process. We will identify and prove the party (or parties) responsible for your injury, whether it’s a negligent driver, an employer, a property owner, or a medical professional.
• Calculating Damages: A spinal cord injury often leads to significant long-term medical expenses, lost wages, and the need for future care. Our team will help assess all damages, including medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic losses. We will work with medical experts to estimate future medical needs, rehabilitation, and home modifications.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies often attempt to settle injury claims quickly and for less than the full value of the damages. Our lawyers will negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you are offered a fair settlement that fully covers your current and future needs.
• Representing Clients in Court: If an insurance company fails to offer a fair settlement or if the case is particularly complex, we will be prepared to take your case to court. Our attorneys are skilled litigators who will fight aggressively for your rights in front of a judge and jury.

How Much Does a Spinal Injury Lawyer Cost?

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and we only get paid if we win your case. Expert witnesses, such as life care planners and economists, are often necessary in spinal cord injury lawsuits to help establish the extent of your damages and future needs. The legal process for spinal cord injury claims involves several vital steps, including gathering evidence and filing a lawsuit within the statute of limitations. This is why you need to retain a catastrophic injury law firm that has the resources to help you throughout the case, regardless of how complicated it might be. 

Spinal Cord Injury Compensation

How much compensation you may receive in a spinal cord injury claim depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury, who was at fault, and the degree of negligence involved.

Spinal cord injury victims may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:

• Medical Expenses: Covers hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and specialized care.
• Lost Income: Compensation for lost wages, future earnings, and reduced earning capacity.
• Pain and Suffering: Addresses physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury.
• Home and Vehicle Modifications: Includes ramps, widened doorways, and specialized vehicles for mobility.
• Future Medical Care: Ensures long-term care, rehabilitation, and therapy costs are covered.
• Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the impact on personal relationships and family life.

Spinal cord injury settlements often distinguish between economic damages (measurable financial losses such as medical bills and lost income) and non-economic damages, which compensate for intangible losses like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. Claims for spinal cord injuries can involve millions of dollars in compensation due to the need for lifetime care.

The average settlement for spinal cord injuries can vary widely based on the specifics of each case, including the jurisdiction and the nature of the injury.

How Levin Litigation Can Help After a Spinal Cord Injury

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to negligence or unsafe conditions, it’s crucial to seek legal help right away. Levin Litigation is here to guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Here’s how we can help:

• Investigating the Case: We gather evidence, review medical records, and obtain witness testimonies to build a strong case.
• Determining Liability: Identifying responsible parties, whether a negligent driver, employer, property owner, or medical professional, is crucial.
• Calculating Damages: We assess all damages, including medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Our lawyers fight for a fair settlement, ensuring your needs are met.
• Representing Clients in Court: If necessary, we take your case to trial and advocate for maximum compensation.

We offer free consultations and are committed to helping you recover both physically and financially. Reach out to us today, and let us begin the process of securing the justice and compensation you deserve.