Orlando Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Spinal cord injuries occur when the spinal cord suffers damage due to trauma such as from falls or car accidents or non-traumatic causes like tumors or degenerative conditions, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Suppose you or a loved one suffered spinal cord injuries in an Orlando, FL, accident caused by someone else’s negligence. In that case, you may have the right to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An Orlando spinal cord injury lawyer from our law firm can help explain your legal rights and options during a free case review. 

Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers has represented accident victims in Orlando, Florida, and surrounding areas for over 28 years. We are members of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We’ve recovered over $100 million for our deserving clients. Let us put our extensive experience to work on your case while you focus on your health. Contact us today at (407) 648-1510 for a free consultation with an experienced Orlando spinal cord injury attorney. 

How Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury in Orlando

How Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury in Orlando

Spinal cord injuries are one of the most expensive types of injuries to treat. According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the first year’s cost to treat a spinal cord injury that is motor functional at any level is $347,484, and its lifetime cost is over $1.1 million if the injury occurs after the age of 50. These costs jump to $1,064,716 and $2,596,329 for first-year and lifetime costs for high tetraplegia, respectively. When the costs associated with an injury are so high, negligent parties may try to avoid liability or even blame the accident victim for their injuries. 

Experienced Orlando personal injury lawyers know how to fight back to pursue the compensation you deserve. 

When you hire our Orlando, Florida, law firm for your case, our Orlando spinal cord injury attorneys can:

  • Conduct an in-depth investigation to determine how the accident happened and who is at fault for it
  • Gather and preserve critical evidence in your case 
  • Document the full extent of your damages
  • Work with your medical professionals to understand the injury you suffered and its long-term impact on your life
  • Handle communication with insurance companies and other parties
  • Negotiate for maximum compensation 

Our Orlando spinal cord injury attorneys are prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers today to get started with a free initial consultation. 

Spinal Cord Injury Statistics 

According to WHO, 15.4 million people are currently living with a spinal cord injury. There are approximately 18,000 new cases of spinal cord injury cases in the United States each year, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. An average of 305,000 people suffer from spinal cord injuries in the country at any given time. 

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries 

WHO reports that the leading causes of spinal cord injuries include: 

At Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we are experienced in handling all types of spinal cord injury cases. If you suffered a spinal cord injury, we can review your situation and determine if you have a claim against a negligent party. 

Most Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

The most common types of spinal cord injuries are:

  • Incomplete tetraplegia – Tetraplegia is an injury that occurs higher on the spinal cord and affects all of the body below the site of injury. An incomplete injury is one in which the spinal cord can still send some messages to and from the brain.
  • Incomplete paraplegia – Paraplegia is an injury that occurs lower on the spinal cord and affects the lower portion of the body. People with an incomplete injury retain some feeling, function, and muscle control below the site of the injury. 
  • Complete paraplegia – Complete paraplegia involves no movement or feeling below the injury site. This injury causes permanent damage. 19.7% of new spinal cord injury cases were complete paraplegia injuries in 2023.
  • Complete tetraplegia – Complete tetraplegia affects most of the body, leading to paralysis of all limbs.

An Orlando personal injury attorney can help you through the process of filing a legal claim. 

Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord damage can have a devastating impact on victims and their families. Depending on the type of injury, a spinal cord injury can result in partial or total paralysis. Victims can lose their ability to control muscles, feel, and move body parts below the site of the injury. This can impair mobility, potentially making a person unable to walk. 

Some spinal cord injuries interfere with a person’s ability to perform activities of daily living, including grooming, ambulating, and controlling their bowels and bladder. Accident victims may be unable to return to work or engage in any type of meaningful work activity. Many are unable to participate in favorite hobbies, and their relationships with others can be negatively impacted. 

Additional complications that can arise because of a spinal cord injury include:

  • Difficulty with respiratory muscle functions
  • Dysregulation of blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature
  • Pressure ulcers
  • Autonomic dysreflexia
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Sexual dysfunction 
  • Chronic pain
  • Loss of bone density

A successful personal injury claim may be able to help you recover financial compensation to help pay for medical expenses associated with these complications. 

How Much Is My Spinal Cord Injury Case Worth?

The potential compensation you may be able to recover for a spinal cord injury claim will depend on factors specific to your case, such as:

  • The type of spinal cord injury you suffered
  • Whether the injury is complete or incomplete
  • The identity of the party or parties responsible for your injury
  • Insurance coverage available 
  • Whether you were also negligent in causing the injury
  • How the injury has impacted your life
  • The cost and extent of your medical treatment
  • Whether you are able to return to work 

Recovering Compensation After a Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury cases may involve extensive damages that reflect the lifelong impact of these injuries. 

You may be able to pursue compensation for the following damages:

  • Medical treatment – These damages can include payment of your medical bills for emergency treatment, surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other medical expenses you incurred. You can also seek compensation for future anticipated medical expenses. 
  • Long-term care costs – This can help cover the costs of long-term care, home health services, personal assistance, mobility equipment, and other disability accommodations. 
  • Lost income – You can seek compensation for your lost wage and reduced earning capacity if you become permanently disabled from your ability to work.
  • Non-economic damages – You can pursue compensation for your pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and lost quality of life.

An experienced personal injury lawyer can compile evidence about all the damages you suffered and pursue maximum compensation for your claim.

Proving Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim 

As the plaintiff in a personal injury case, you will bear the burden of proof. You will need to establish two essential elements: that the defendant violated their duty of care and that you suffered damages. 

Your lawyer can assemble information such as the following to establish the defendant violated their duty of care in causing your accident:

  • Photos and/or videos of the accident 
  • Witness statements
  • Property damage reports
  • Property maintenance records
  • Personnel records
  • Inspection reports
  • Cell phone records (if distracted driving is involved)
  • Medical records
  • Toxicology reports
  • Reports from accident reconstruction experts

Your lawyer can also assemble information to show how the injury has changed your life. 

Evidence may include:

  • Medical records
  • Testimony from medical experts
  • Evaluations from economic and vocational rehabilitation experts 
  • Reports from your employer about your inability to resume your job or the impact the accident has had on your career
  • Journal entries
  • Statements from neighbors, friends, colleagues, and loved ones about how the injury has impacted your life and your relationship with them

Taking timely legal action is necessary to preserve your right to recover compensation.

Can I Still Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For The Accident? 

Florida uses a modified comparative fault law, so if you are found partially responsible for your injuries, your potential compensation is reduced in proportion to your degree of fault. However, you can still pursue a claim against the negligent party if you are 50 percent or less at fault for the accident.

How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit In Florida?

Florida law provides accident victims with a two-year window to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for their injuries. If this deadline passes and you have not filed your case, you can miss out on the opportunity to recover compensation from the courts.

Contact Our Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Consultation

If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury, Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers is here to guide you through every step of the legal process. Our Orlando, FL, legal team can handle your personal injury claim while you focus on your health. Call us today for a free case review with an Orlando spinal cord injury lawyer.

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