Spinal cord injuries can happen in car crashes, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, construction accidents, and other traumatic situations. When the spinal cord is injured, it can cause loss of function. You may even be fully or partially paralyzed as a result.
One minute, you’re living your life, and the next, it’s changed forever. With a spinal cord injury, you may also feel mental and emotional impacts and wonder how you’ll go on.
If someone’s negligent or careless acts caused your spinal cord injury, you can file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation. But how much can you get?
How Much Could Compensation Be for My Spinal Cord Injury?
There is no set amount of how much compensation you can recover for a spinal cord injury. Every case will be unique because of the differing variables such as what caused the injury, the severity of this injury, how it impacts your daily life, future medical bills, and ongoing disability.
The biggest factor that will be considered either in a settlement or if your case goes to court will be the prognosis of your injuries. For example, if you were permanently paralyzed after a car accident, you would receive more compensation compared to someone who suffered bulging discs.
With the help of a personal injury attorney, you can prove that this injury was caused by someone else’s negligent or reckless actions. Depending on their actions, your compensation may be even higher.
What Is Usually Included in Spinal Cord Injury Compensation?
You can expect that the compensation you receive for your spinal cord injury will cover all of your medical expenses related to this incident. However, if you are not expected to recover, as in the case of permanent paralysis, you will receive compensation to cover those future costs.
With your life completely changed, you will need to make modifications to your home to accommodate your new disability. Additionally, you can recover compensation for lost wages and loss of future income if your spinal cord injury prevents you from working. You can also seek compensation for disfigurement, loss of quality of life, mental anguish, and pain and suffering.
Keep in mind that you won’t want to accept a settlement that doesn’t take into account all of your damages. Economic damages like medical bills are easy to determine since they have a tangible amount. However, non-economic damages are just as important. Your attorney can help calculate an amount that sufficiently covers these losses.
Why You Need a Lawyer for a Spinal Cord Injury
In general, cases involving spinal cord injuries will usually settle before they can find their way to a courtroom. However, your attorney will be ready to fight for justice on your behalf if an agreement can’t be reached and a trial is imminent.
A spinal cord injury lawyer can make it easier to pick up the pieces in the aftermath and help you get the compensation you deserve.