Spinal cord injuries, or SCIs, refer to damage to the backbone or spinal cord, limiting movement, strength, motor functions, and sensation in the affected areas of the body. Falls, blunt force trauma, or sudden blows often cause these injuries. SCIs are severe and debilitating, which can change your life in the long term or permanently.
If you suffered severe back trauma, consult a catastrophic injury attorney to explore the full extent of compensation for life-altering damages. These cases often demand legal and financial expertise to address their complexity.
If you were in an avoidable accident because of another person’s recklessness, you must hold them legally and financially responsible. Call to schedule an appointment and review your options with a compassionate and skilled Westerville spinal cord injury lawyer.
Signs and symptoms of SPIs vary, depending on the severity, location, and amount of damage the organ sustains. Some examples include:
SPI victims also typically suffer from secondary conditions, such as pressure ulcers, blood clots, and sexual dysfunction. Backbone and spinal cord damage can lead to missing extensive time from work while requiring ongoing medical care, follow-up care, and other rehabilitative services.
Spinal cord damage can also lead to paralysis, and the extent of disabilities depends on the location and severity of the injury. Symptoms may be temporary or permanent and can impact the limbs, torso, or face. During an appointment, a Westerville spinal cord injury attorney could answer specific questions about the civil court process and estimated settlement. Any monetary awards should consider the full impact of the injury on a person’s life.
The plaintiff seeking to prove liability and obtain a settlement after sustaining an SCI must show the court that the defendant was negligent. Further, they must demonstrate that the defendant’s negligence directly caused the accident and resulting injuries. A spinal cord injury lawyer in Westerville could conduct an extensive investigation to gather the necessary evidence to satisfy each element needed to prove fault.
State laws adhere to a comparative negligence rule when the court finds that the person pursuing compensation is partly responsible for the accident. Under Ohio Revised Statute § 2315.33, the injured party can seek a settlement as long as they were less than 50 percent at fault. However, the court reduces the award for damages by the plaintiff’s portion of liability.
An accident leading to an SCI and long-term or permanent disabilities can be devastating for the victim and their family. They usually require extensive medical care and follow-up treatment, and when combined with missing time from work, the burden of financial losses can be overwhelming.
You may be eligible for compensation if you or someone you love sustained severe bodily harm because of the carelessness of someone else. Contact us to speak with an experienced Westerville spinal cord injury lawyer to ask questions and review your case and options.
