The spinal cord is the central carrier of signals throughout the body. Spinal cord injuries affect more than 4 million Americans every year. An injury to the spinal cord may be a bruise, a contusion, a partial tear, or a complete tear. If the spinal column is severed, it often causes total and permanent paralysis with complete loss of sensation and movement.
Injury victims face challenging roads to recovery. The severity of these injuries determines how they impact a person’s ability to perform daily tasks and maintain independence. Poltielov Law Firm P.C. has a Queens spinal cord injury lawyer available to help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Most spinal cord injuries are caused by car accidents, falls, violence, sports and other recreational activities, and medical errors. Truck accidents also contribute significantly to these life-altering consequences. Spinal injuries are life-changing events that affect the lives of both victims and their families.
These injuries are often caused by the negligence of others. Accident victims deserve fair compensation for their suffering. That’s why you need to contact a Queens spinal cord injury lawyer right away to understand your legal rights and secure your rights to compensation.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
There are two main types of spinal cord injuries: complete and incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury causes you to lose all feeling and movement below the level of your injury. An incomplete spinal cord injury, on the other hand, means that you still have some movement and feeling below the level of your injury.
Medical professionals classify these injuries based on function loss and severity. Understanding these classifications helps determine appropriate treatment plans and compensation amounts.
Cervical Spine Injuries
The cervical spine starts at the base of your skull and goes down through your neck. It contains seven vertebrae. These injuries are the most severe, as they can result in loss of bladder control and bowel control, paralysis, and breathing and speaking difficulties.
Neck injuries at this level often require immediate help from emergency responders. Severely injured patients need specialized medical attention to prevent further spinal cord damage.
Thoracic Spine Injuries
The thoracic spine can be found below the cervical spine. There are 12 vertebrae. These injuries are also severe, causing breathing problems, loss of bladder and bowel control, and paralysis.
Symptoms at this level vary depending on which vertebrae sustained damage. Medical records document the extent of spinal cord involvement for insurance companies and court proceedings.
Lumbar Spine Injuries
There are five vertebrae in the lumbar spine, which can be found in the lower back. The vertebrae tend to be larger. These injuries are typically not as debilitating, as victims often retain feeling and mobility. However, they can still experience loss of bladder control and bowel control as well as loss of function in the legs and hips.
Back injury cases involving the lumbar spine may allow greater independence compared to higher spine injuries. Physical therapy plays a critical role in maximizing function and mobility.
Sacral Spine Injuries
The sacral spine can be found at the base of your spinal column. There are five vertebrae that are fused together to form the sacrum. The effects of an injury to your sacral spine will depend on which nerve was damaged.
Injuries may cause mobility issues in the legs and hips and loss of bladder control and bowel control. However, these injuries are uncommon and are caused by very severe accidents. Nerves in this region control specific functions that impact quality of life.
How a Spinal Cord Injury Affects Your Life
Spinal cord injuries create life-altering consequences that extend far beyond medical bills. Injured individuals often cannot return to work, resulting in lost wages and financial strain. Family member support becomes necessary for basic daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating.
The emotional pain and psychological impact can be just as challenging as physical limitations. Many injury victims experience depression and anxiety as they adjust to their new reality.
Medical Treatment and Expenses
Medical attention for spinal cord injuries begins immediately after an accident and continues for life. Initial treatment includes stabilization, imaging, and surgery when necessary. Medical expenses quickly accumulate from hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and specialized equipment.
Long-term care involves ongoing appointments with medical professionals, physical therapy sessions, and assistive devices. Medical bills for spinal cord injuries can reach millions of dollars over a person’s lifetime. Life care planners help calculate these future costs for personal injury claim purposes.
Understanding Your Legal Rights in Queens, NY
New York law allows injured parties to seek compensation from those responsible for their injuries. A Queens spinal cord injury lawyer helps you understand how New York law applies to your situation. Injury attorney representation ensures insurance companies take your claim seriously.
Insurance company representatives often try to minimize payouts to injury victims. Having an experienced injury lawyer protects your interests and fights for maximum compensation.
Building a Strong Spinal Cord Injury Case
A successful spinal cord injury case requires thorough documentation and evidence. Your injury lawyer collects medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. Medical professionals provide crucial opinions about the extent of your injuries and future needs.
Herniated discs, neck injuries, and back injury complications must all be documented. Medical records establish the connection between the accident and your current condition.
Compensation Available in Spinal Cord Injury Claims
Spinal cord injury claim settlements should cover all damages from your accident. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and future earning capacity. Medical bills from emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation add up quickly.
Non-economic damages address pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. Fair settlement amounts vary depending on severity, age, occupation, and how the injury impacts daily tasks. Your law firm works to recover damages that reflect the true cost of your injuries.
Why Choose Our Queens Personal Injury Law Firm
The Forest Hills, New York, personal injury lawyers from Poltielov Law Firm P.C. understand the challenges facing spinal cord injury victims. Our team provides legal assistance throughout every stage of your spinal cord injury claim. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and explain your options.
Our injury attorney team has experience handling complex personal injury case matters in Queens, NY, and throughout Long Island and Staten Island. We fight to seek compensation that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and future care needs.
What to Do After a Spinal Injury Accident
Seek medical attention immediately after any accident involving potential spine injury. Even if symptoms seem minor, spinal cord damage can worsen without proper treatment. Medical professionals can identify hidden injuries through imaging and examinations.
Document everything related to your accident and injuries. Take photos, get contact information from witnesses, and keep all medical records. Contact a spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights. Immediate help from an injury lawyer ensures important evidence isn’t lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What compensation can I receive for a spinal cord injury?
Compensation in a personal injury claim covers medical bills, lost wages, future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. Full compensation should also include costs for physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, home modifications, and ongoing care. Your injury lawyer calculates both current and future damages to seek maximum compensation for your spinal cord injury case.
How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury claim in New York?
New York law generally provides three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, certain circumstances can shorten or extend this deadline. Contacting a Queens spinal cord injury lawyer early ensures you don’t miss critical deadlines and allows time to build a strong spinal cord injury case.
Will I have to go to court for my spinal cord injury case?
Many spinal cord injury claim cases settle before reaching court. Insurance companies often prefer settling to avoid court costs and uncertainty. However, your law firm prepares every personal injury case for trial to show we’re ready to fight for fair compensation. Prior results don’t guarantee a similar outcome, but preparation strengthens your position.
How much does it cost to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer?
Most injury lawyer firms, including ours, work on contingency fees. This means you pay nothing unless we recover damages for you. Our free legal consultation allows you to discuss your spinal cord injury claim without financial risk. We only receive payment when you receive your damages award.
What makes spinal cord injuries different from other personal injuries?
Spinal cord injuries involve the nerves that control movement, sensation, and bodily functions throughout your body. Unlike other injuries, spinal cord damage often results in permanent paralysis and lifelong complications. The severity and life-altering consequences mean injured party members need maximum compensation to cover decades of care, lost earning potential, and reduced quality of life.
Contact Us Today
Spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis and other complications. If you or a loved one has suffered from a spinal cord injury, you need someone on your side to advocate for you.
These injuries result in extensive medical treatment and expenses. The Forest Hills, New York, personal injury lawyers from Poltielov Law Firm P.C. will help you file a claim and guide you through this difficult time. To schedule a free consultation with our office, contact us online or call (718) 880-2911.