What Compensation is Available for Car Accident Spinal Cord Injuries?
In the United States, car crashes and other motor vehicle accidents are responsible for more spinal cord injuries than any other cause. If your spinal cord has been damaged in an accident, the recovery process can be extremely difficult, and your life will likely never be the same. Spinal cord injury victims are often entitled to significant compensation from the driver responsible for the crash, which can provide some relief as you work to adapt to your new normal.
Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury
Your spinal cord is responsible for sending nerve signals from your brain to the rest of your body, and therefore, an injury can severely impair your body’s functions. At minimum, a spinal cord injury will likely impair sensation anywhere below the location of the injury, and it can also affect motor skills, sometimes resulting in paralysis from the neck or waist down. Damage to the spinal cord can also affect respiratory and circulatory functions, as well as the abilities of various bodily organs.
Pursuing Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries in Illinois
If another driver’s negligence was responsible for your spinal cord injury, you have the right to file a personal injury claim for compensation from the driver or his or her insurance provider. You may have a case for both economic and non-economic damages, including but not limited to:
- Medical expenses: Your claim can seek compensation for the costs of emergency treatment, surgery to mitigate the damage to your spinal cord, medication, physical therapy to help restore some bodily function, and long-term care, among other possible expenses.
- Lost income: A spinal cord injury that results in paralysis may prevent you from returning to your previous job, impairing your ability to earn an income and support yourself. You may pursue compensation for lost income during your treatment and recovery period, as well as for lost future earning potential.
- Pain and suffering: The effects of a spinal cord injury may lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression, prevent you from engaging in activities you used to enjoy, and even affect the quality of your personal relationships. You may choose to pursue non-economic damages for these lasting negative effects.
Contact a DuPage County Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, we understand the challenges that spinal cord injury victims face, and we are committed to helping you obtain as much compensation as possible for the damages you have suffered. Contact a compassionate Lombard personal injury attorney today for a free initial consultation at 630-932-9100.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-cord-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20377890