The human brain transmits electrical and chemical signals for all our body’s voluntary and involuntary controls. We don’t think about breathing, blinking, swallowing, or other bodily functions; the brain keeps them operating. Those are the involuntary commands.
When we need to pick something up or walk to another room, the brain signals our arms and legs to carry out the task. Those are voluntary commands, but these aren’t “Wi-Fi” signals. The brain is “hardwired.” All that information is transmitted from the brain to the rest of the body through the nerve cell network that flows through the spinal cord.
When that spinal cord signal is disrupted because of an injury, it can mean a life-altering condition.
The physical, emotional, and financial challenges of a spinal cord injury can leave victims unsure of where to turn for help. Those feelings of hopelessness are compounded when another person’s negligence caused the injury.
In that scenario, you need to speak with a compassionate Charleston spinal cord injury lawyer.
At Forbes Law Offices, we bring over 75 years of combined ligating and negotiating skills to every claim. When we take on a case, we can help with the initial insurance filing and eventual personal injury lawsuit (if needed).
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are some of the most consequential injuries that can befall a person. Almost 17,000 new spinal cord injury cases are occurring in the United States on an annual basis, according to data provided by the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Many times, spinal cord injuries lead to long-term physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Unfortunately, they can occur in many types of accidents, such as the following:
Seat belts and airbags in cars are meant to hold the body in place and minimize the force from the impact of another car. Unfortunately, those safety measures are not foolproof in a car accident.
The jolt of a car coming to a sudden stop can instantly damage the spinal cord. The result can be a minor whiplash injury that you could recover from with weeks of rest or a more severe vertebrae fraction that causes paralysis.
When we fall, the weight of our body slams into the impact point. If that point is your back, it can trigger a significant spinal cord injury, such as a herniated disc or cracked vertebrae. That is what makes slip-and-fall accidents potentially catastrophic.
Millions of kids participate in after-school sports programs. While playing those sports provides many benefits, it also comes with a risk of injury. A student who injures their back playing sports could be sidelined for the rest of the year or longer.
For most Americans, one-third of our day is spent at work. No matter your job, there’s a risk of injury if that work environment is not properly maintained.
It will be the responsibility of your Charleston spinal cord injury lawyer to determine how your accident happened. That will support your claim by determining who should be held accountable for your financial losses.
How the spinal injury can affect you depends on the extent of the damage and the location of the injury. There are two types of spinal cord injuries: complete and incomplete.
With a complete injury, the spinal cord is fully severed or compressed. In turn, that can lead to a total loss of sensory and motor function below the site. Many times, these individuals will experience permanent paralysis that affects the lower body or all four limbs.
Those who suffer from these injuries rarely recover.
People with incomplete injuries have only partially damaged spinal cords. Most of the time, they will have some sensory or motor function below the injury site. Their recovery can vary depending on the specific damage to the spinal cord, the rehabilitation efforts undertaken, and the individual’s overall health.
Unfortunately, the outlook for these injuries is not good, even with the best medical treatment.
The most heartbreaking consequence of a severe spinal cord injury is paralysis. These consequences can drastically alter a person’s ability to engage in daily activities. Often, they will need lifelong assistance and specialized equipment like wheelchairs or mobility aids.
With this outlook, it is natural to want to look for answers. Any unexpected injury can strain your physical, mental, and financial health. These are all the issues that your Charleston spine injury lawyer will take into consideration as they assess the extent of your damages.
The National Spinal Cord Statistical Center has collected data about traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI).
There were approximately 18,421 TSCI cases in 2024 across the country. What are the causes? This is how it has broken down per category since 2015:
The average time in the hospital’s acute care unit was 19 days, and rehabilitation was around 37 days. These are associated with less severe types of injuries. The cost depends on the injury, but expenses can range from $406,224 to $1,410,163 for the first year and $55,900 to $244,879 for yearly expenses.
When these injuries result from negligence, the consequences can be even more distressing for the victim and their family. Negligence occurs when someone’s reckless or careless behavior causes harm to another person. In Charleston, victims of spinal cord injuries caused by negligence are entitled to seek damages related to the incident or accident.
However, you and your Charleston spinal cord injury attorney team must prove some aspects of negligence. First, you’ll need to show that the other party owed you a legal duty of care. For example, a driver must operate their vehicle safely, or a doctor must provide you with the accepted level of care.
When they breached that duty by acting carelessly or recklessly, that is the foundation of your lawsuit.
Some situations can result from a driver running a red light or an employer failing to provide proper safety equipment.
There must be some link between that breach and your spinal cord injury. You will need expert testimony, medical evidence, and accident reports to connect the defendant’s actions to the injury.
There is no case if you did not suffer any damages from the accident. For those who have medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and ongoing care costs, you may be able to recover them with a personal injury lawsuit.
Unfortunately, these injuries caused by negligence can lead to long-term consequences for victims and their families. Along with the emotional or physical toll, the financial burdens are overwhelming. In most cases, you can face:
Fortunately, you have legal recourse to hold those accountable parties liable for their actions. Contact Forbes Law Offices to see how we can assist with your case.
You have several legal options to seek compensation for your injuries and the resulting damages.
Many people file personal injury lawsuits. This claim is filed against the person or entity responsible for causing the injury due to negligence. However, that is not the only legal avenue for your case.
If the spinal cord injury occurred in a work-related incident, such as a fall at a construction site or an equipment malfunction, you could be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. You can receive benefits and provide financial relief without needing to prove negligence. These benefits include medical expenses, lost wages, and disability payments.
If the spinal cord injury was the result of the negligence of a healthcare professional, you may file a medical malpractice lawsuit. In these situations, you will need to prove that the medical professional’s care fell below the accepted standard, resulting in substandard care that led to a spinal cord injury.
If we take your case, we’ll become a fierce advocate on your behalf. We know how the insurance companies operate and will be prepared to defend against all their tactics. As your claim progresses, we’ll keep you fully informed. If the insurance company isn’t being fair, we might recommend filing a civil complaint. That will allow you to share your story with a jury.
All of that support begins with a free consultation.
Contact us today to speak with our lead Charleston spinal cord injury lawyer. We’re standing by to help.
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