Do I Have A Spinal Cord Injury?
What is a spinal cord injury?
A spinal cord injury is considered any damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal cord. This can cause permanent damage, i.e. changing in body sensation and changes in bodily function.
What are some symptoms of a spinal cord injury?
- Loss of movement
- Loss of sensation in any of your limbs
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Spasms
- Pain or stinging sensation
- Difficulty breathing
- Extreme pain from your back, neck, or head
- Incoordination
When should I see a doctor?
If you have experienced any injury to your neck, back, or head you should see a doctor immediately to prevent any further damages to your back or spinal cord. By seeing a doctor immediately, you can prevent further damage due to symptoms not seen right away.
What should I do immediately after a loved one got spinal injury?
- Do not move! Stay still!
- CALL 911!
- Place heavy towels on both sides of the neck to prevent any further injuries
- If possible provide first aid if needed
Long term damages due to spinal injuries and delaying seeing a doctor:
- Becoming paraplegic
- This is loss of all or parts of the body’s truck, legs and pelvic organs
- Becoming Tetraplegic
- This is loss of all movement of your trunk, legs, arms, and pelvic organs
What causes a spinal cord injury?
A spinal injury can be caused by a blunt force to the spine that may have caused fractures, dislocations, crushes, or compressions of vertebrates. These occurrences can include but are not limited to:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Any types of falls
- Alcohol
- Drugs
How can I prevent a spinal cord injury?
- Drive safely
- Prevent falls
- Take precautions when playing sports
- Don’t drink and drive
What damages can I recover?
If someone else’s negligence caused you to have a spinal injury you can claim compensatory damages against the liable party. Compensatory damages include economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damage claim can include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earnings, home modifications, and non-medical needs.
Non- economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, damage to reputation, emotional distress, and loss of companionship.
You may also be able to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages can be recoverable if the liable party acted malice or fraud. These may include the liable party being under the influence while driving, fleeing from the police, and/or reckless driving.
How do you calculate my damages?
Though I cannot guarantee a certain outcome, but by having me as your attorney I will guarantee the best possible outcome out there.
I will be looking at these factors to get the total amount of compensation you are owed:
- The amount spent for your past and future treatment
- The amount of your income that will be lost while you’re recovering
- How much your spinal injury will affect your future
- The affect your brain injury will have on your relationships with others
- They cost of any home care you are going to need
How will you prove my damages?
You may think that those documents or photographs may not strengthen your case, but they actually make your case even stronger. It may be obvious that the liable party caused your spinal injury but you are going to need those photographs and documents to make your case even stronger. Some examples that will make your case stronger is:
- Medical documents
- Any medical imaging
- Photographs of the accident scene and your injuries
- Police report
- Proof of loss benefits
- Any receipts that show any expenses related to your spinal injury
Let me help you get all the compensation you deserve because you don’t deserve anything less!
Contact The Reyes Firm at 813-421-3411
We are here for you 24/7 and have the experience to protect your interests and get you the recovery you deserve. Call us today – and above all be safe on the roads!
