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Louisville Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

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Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Sustaining an injury to the spinal cord is unlike any other type of injury, because of the sheer devastation that results from severe nerve damage and the impact it can have on an individual’s life. It is easy to forget that the spinal column and the network of nerves housed within it are the information superhighway that connects our brains to our bodies. In other words, the spine does not simply physically hold our bodies together, but provides a pathway for the transmission of information necessary to complete every task we do.

In the wake of such a severe and potentially life-threatening injury, a Louisville spinal cord injury lawyer can provide assistance and relief by working to hold the at-fault party liable for the pain and suffering caused. Working with a catastrophic injury attorney in Louisville to obtain a settlement can provide the victim of a spinal cord injury and their loved ones affected by it the financial compensation deserved for the devastation of the life-altering injury they sustained. For more information, contact our expert team of personal injury lawyers.

Type and Severity of Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is a delicate stem of nerves that runs from the brain to the end of the spinal column and sends signals throughout the body. When the spinal cord is impaired, the damage sustained by the spine itself might not be where the injuries manifest. Depending on the injury, various effects of nerve damage will be apparent in different parts of the body, limiting the injured person’s ability to function. Some people lose the ability to walk, some lose the ability to speak, and others may even lose the ability to breathe without the help of a machine. These injuries lead to a lifetime of medical treatment with limited mobility and function, and can deprive a person of basic elements that contributed to their quality of life, which is why retaining an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer in Louisville is critically important to effectively combat the legal portion of this battle.

Typically, in a spinal cord injury claim, the claimant was involved in an accident that may have dislocated or fractured a vertebra of the spine, leading to damage of the spinal cord tissue. Spinal cord injuries can be classified as one of two types:

  • Incomplete injuries, which cause nerve damage and immobility with some sensation in parts of the body
  • Complete injuries, which cause complete nerve damage and immobility below the injured vertebrae

The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on the damage suffered by the tissue, and sometimes these injuries can be fatal. Both types of injuries can cause paralysis in the forms of:

  • Paraplegia, which is paralysis of the legs and part of the torso
  • Quadriplegia, which is paralysis from the neck down, and can include the respiratory system

The medical bills tied to a spinal cord injury can be extremely costly to the victim as they will require extensive hospital visits, a wheelchair, and ongoing therapy for the physical and emotional damage in order to support adjustment to the disability. These injuries place a heavy burden on the victim and their family, who must also learn how to live with the permanent handicap, assuming the role of caregiver and responsibility for the accompanying expenses.

  • $2 Million

    Trucking Accident

  • $2 Million

    Motorcycle Accident

  • $1.3 Million

    Wrongful Death Case

  • $2.5 Million

    Failure to Diagnose Cancer

  • $350 Thousand

    Dental Malpractice

  • $515 Thousand

    Jail Death Case

Common Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury

If you are the victim of a spinal cord injury, you could feel the symptoms immediately. There could also be a delayed reaction as the severity of the injury progresses. The following are some of the effects of this type of injury that you could experience:

  • Loss of movement
  • Loss of or a change in sensation including the inability to sense heat or cold to the touch
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Exaggerated reflex activities or spasms
  • Changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity, and fertility
  • Pain or an intense stinging sensation caused by damage to the nerve fibers in the spinal cord
  • Trouble breathing, coughing, or clearing secretions from the lungs

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Spinal Injury Causes and Liability

According to a 2022 study, an estimated 294,000 individuals in the U.S. suffer from spinal cord injuries. At least 17,000 individuals are newly diagnosed with spinal injuries every year.

Spinal cord injuries in Kentucky are usually the result of a sudden, strong impact, like those sustained in a motor vehicle accident, or as a result of a crushing heavy object falling on top of the victim. The most common causes of injuries that warrant contact with a Louisville spinal cord injury attorney include:

Because spinal cord injuries result in major physical and lifestyle changes, these are considered catastrophic injuries with permanent disability. When these accidents are the result of negligence by another party, whether that party is a negligent driver, a defective product manufacturer, or an unsafe workplace owner, the victim can press charges. These may fall into one of the following injury claim categories:

  • Premises liability claims, if a spinal cord injury is caused by a property owner’s negligence, such as an unstable crane falling on a victim at a construction site
  • Product liability claims, if a spinal cord injury is caused by a manufacturer’s negligence in producing a defective product, like a faulty ladder that causes a victim to fall from a dangerous height
  • Negligence injury liability claims, if a spinal cord injury is caused by a person’s negligence, like a driver running a red light and hitting a pedestrian who is crossing the intersection

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Proving Negligence in a Spinal Cord Injury Claim

In order to advance a claim for compensation, you and your Louisville spinal cord injury attorney will need to prove negligence. That charge can be levied against an individual, business entity, property owner, or government entity. In order to prove negligence, you need to establish the following:

Duty of Care

A duty of care is the expectation that one person owes to another person to be responsible. For instance, every driver on the road has a duty of care to every other driver. That duty of care is to obey traffic laws, stay alert, and stay focused on the task of driving. A restaurant owner has a duty of care to keep the floors dry to prevent customers and staff from tripping and falling.

Breach of Duty

A breach of duty can be described as the actual act of negligence. A speeding car, a floor that isn’t mopped, or icy sidewalks are all examples of a breach. That breach can also involve a lack of warning. For example, a homeowner knows their dog has a history of aggression for delivery carriers. If that homeowner doesn’t post warning signs or keep their dog secure, they are in breach.

Causation (Cause in Fact)

You need to establish causation for your claim. That is the connection between the breach and the accident that caused an injury. When a driver speeds through a red light and collides with another car and the driver is injured, that is causation.

Damages

Damages are all the losses you’ve suffered as a result of the accident. If you are filing an insurance claim and are compensated for your losses, you will not be paid twice. However, if the insurance benefits exceed the amount of your losses, you could seek a remedy to cover those losses.

Your damages would cover all expenses related to your injury treatment. That includes current and future expenses. Damages can also include lost wages, potential future earnings and occupational therapy if applicable. You can also be compensated for pain and suffering as well as the loss of your quality of life. All of those numbers will be fairly calculated with the support of your attorney.

Fighting for Victims of Spinal Cord Injury in Louisville

The period after a spinal cord injury can be fraught with emotional and physical pain as the victim and their family must deal with the life-changing accident and its impact on their lives. On top of this distress, the medical bills, work disability, and loss of income can wreak havoc on finances and security in a household affected by this devastating injury.

Find out how a Louisville spinal cord injury lawyer can assist you in the fight for justice and compensation after a major accident by contacting our firm today.

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Contact a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Louisville Now

Life after a serious spinal cord injury usually looks very different than before. If you're hurt, need help paying your medical bills, and don't know where to turn, we're here for you. Schedule your free consultation today.