Spinal injuries and cervical injuries (SCI) nearly always result in life-altering and serious consequences. In many instances, a spinal cord injury not only impacts the life of the victim but also their loved ones as well. While treatment can be available in some cases, the cost of that care is usually overwhelming. The good news is that you have the opportunity to seek justice for your injury regardless of your financial situation.
At Fogg Law Group, our Palm Beach Gardens spine injury lawyers have helped many SCI victims recover compensation for medical expenses and other costs related to their SCIs. In recent years, our attorneys have secured a $10,000,000 result for a client who was paralyzed after a spinal surgery gone wrong. Let managing attorney Ryan Fogg and the team put that same experience to work in your case.
Types and Levels of Spinal Cord Injuries
Every spinal cord injury is unique, and the long-term effects depend largely on where the injury occurred and whether the spinal cord was completely or partially damaged. Some of the conditions our Palm Beach Gardens spinal cord injury lawyers frequently work with include the following:
Complete Spinal Cord Injuries
A complete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord can no longer transmit signals below the point of injury. This often results in permanent loss of movement and sensation beneath the affected area. Victims may require lifelong medical care, assistive devices, home modifications, and ongoing rehabilitation.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
An incomplete spinal cord injury means some nerve signals continue to travel through the damaged portion of the spinal cord. You may retain partial movement or sensation, although symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Many individuals experience improvements with rehabilitation, but permanent impairments often remain.
Cervical Spine Injuries
Injuries to the cervical spine involve the neck and are often the most severe. Damage at this level can cause partial or complete paralysis affecting both the arms and legs, commonly known as quadriplegia or tetraplegia.
Thoracic Spine Injuries
Thoracic injuries occur in the upper and middle back, and they can lead to paralysis through most of the body.
Common Causes of Spinal Injuries in Florida
A serious injury to the spinal cord can happen in countless ways. However, our Palm Beach Gardens spinal cord injury attorneys could counsel you after the following events:
Car Accidents
Motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries. High-speed collisions, rollovers, rear-end crashes, and side-impact accidents can place tremendous force on the spine. Even if the spinal cord is not completely severed, damaged vertebrae or swelling around the spinal cord can lead to permanent neurological injuries.
Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accidents frequently involve devastating spinal injuries because of the tremendous size and weight of tractor-trailers. These injuries are especially common when passengers in smaller vehicles are crushed under the weight of a larger truck.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists have little protection during a collision, and this can greatly increase the risk of spinal damage. These injuries can occur following the initial impact with the other vehicle, but they are also common when riders are thrown from their bikes, causing them to strike the ground.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Falls may seem less serious than vehicle accidents, but they frequently cause severe spinal injuries, particularly among older adults. Falls from ladders, stairways, balconies, or unsafe property conditions can fracture vertebrae or damage the spinal cord.
Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury in Palm Beach Gardens?
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What Damages Can You Recover After a Spinal Cord Injury?
There are numerous types of compensation that could be available to you after a serious injury. Our Palm Beach Gardens spinal cord injury attorneys could help you seek the following types of damages:
Medical Expenses
Spinal cord injuries often require emergency transportation, surgery, hospitalization, intensive care, rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, prescription medications, assistive technology, and long-term nursing care. Compensation may include both current medical bills and the projected cost of future treatment.
Lost Income
Many spinal injury victims cannot immediately return to work. If that is the case for you, our attorneys could help you recover compensation based on the wages you missed. If your condition permanently limits your ability to earn a living, we can also help you seek future reduced-income damages.
Pain and Suffering
A spinal cord injury affects every aspect of daily life, from disfigurement to chronic pain. Florida law allows injured victims to pursue compensation for these non-economic damages, even though there isn’t an objective value to these claims like there is for medical bills. Our attorneys can review your case and help you understand what your pain and suffering claim might be worth.
Home and Lifestyle Modifications
Many spinal cord injury victims require substantial changes to their homes and daily routines. Your settlement could pay for the following modifications:
- Wheelchair ramps
- Accessible bathrooms
- Lowered countertops
- Specialized vehicles
- In-home caregivers
- Adaptive equipment
These expenses may be recoverable as part of a personal injury claim when they result directly from the accident.
How Long Do You Have to File a Spinal Injury Lawsuit in Florida?
Florida law generally gives injured individuals two years from the date of the accident to file most personal injury lawsuits. Missing this deadline can permanently cost you a shot at compensation, even when the facts are on your side.
Although two years may sound like plenty of time, spinal injury cases require extensive investigation. Your attorney will need time to speak with witnesses and collect evidence, so speaking to them sooner rather than later is a good idea.
There are some unique circumstances that could increase or decrease the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. Thankfully, our attorneys can review your case and make sure you file your claim on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after sustaining a spinal injury?
Your first priority should always be your health. Call 911 or seek emergency medical treatment immediately, even if you are unsure how serious your injury may be. Seeing a doctor right away improves your chances of fully recovering while also creating a paper trail that can help strengthen your legal claim.
How long do I have to file a spine injury claim in Florida?
In most cases, Florida law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, certain exceptions may apply depending on the circumstances. Consulting an attorney early helps ensure important deadlines are not missed.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for my accident?
Possibly. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system for most negligence claims. If you are found to be partially responsible for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, you may still recover damages if you are found to be 50 percent or less to blame.
How much is my spine injury case worth?
No attorney can accurately determine the value of a spinal injury case without reviewing the facts. Compensation depends on factors such as the severity of the injury, expected future medical care, lost income, permanent disability, pain and suffering, and the available insurance coverage. Catastrophic spinal cord injuries often involve substantial long-term damages because the financial and personal consequences can last a lifetime.
How much does it cost to hire a spine injury lawyer?
Most reputable personal injury law firms, including ours, handle spinal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront attorney’s fees. Your attorney receives payment only if compensation is successfully recovered through a settlement or verdict.
Reach Out to a Palm Beach Gardens Spine Injury Attorney Today
Our experience with SCI cases allows us to investigate the different theories of recovery and liability so that we can maximize our clients’ recoveries. We prepare for each personal injury case as if we were going to trial. We work with medical experts who are knowledgeable about spinal cord injuries and the medical and other long-term life issues related to your case. We also engage in settlement negotiations to see if there is a better way to recover your compensation. Your best interest is always our top priority.
If you or someone you love has sustained a serious spinal cord injury in Florida, contact Fogg Law Group and ask for your free, initial consultation. We will explore your legal options with you. We will tell you how our committed and experienced personal injury lawyers can help you. You won’t pay us a cent unless we recover money damages for your case.