Life can take an unexpected turn at any point in time. You may encounter major accidents, leaving you grappling with injuries, which can be especially bad if it involves the central nervous system—including your spinal cord and brain.
Often, the toll isn’t just physical. It takes a dent in your financial capabilities due to the medical bills piling up and the income you could lose from missing work to accommodate your recovery. But beyond the invoices from medical care, you have the responsibility to take legal action and navigate the process of making a claim.
Fortunately, knowing what to do in accidents that result in spinal cord or brain injuries can help you recover expenses and succeed in the case. Read below to learn more about the legal complexities of spinal cord and brain injury lawsuits.
5 Types of Accidents That Can Cause a Spinal Cord or Brain Injury
Severe injuries that can affect one’s life can happen during accidents. Here are some types of accidents that can lead to such.
1. Motor vehicle accidents
The hustle and bustle of California’s roads can sometimes turn perilous. From high-speed collisions to unexpected fender-benders, motor vehicle accidents can injure the central nervous system. Take rear-end collisions, for example; these accidents can cause a whiplash-associated disorder, potentially affecting the spinal cord or causing a traumatic brain injury.
2. Slip and falls
The most seemingly harmless slip can still lead to severe consequences. For example, wet grocery store floors can become a slip-and-fall hazard, especially if there are no warnings to alert people about it. It can lead to spine injuries or brain trauma, depending on how you fall and its impact.
This situation emphasizes the importance of premises liability and the need to pursue a brain or spinal cord injury lawsuit.
3. Gunshot wounds
In a state where firearm ownership is prevalent, gunshot wounds can tragically result in spinal cord and brain injuries. Consider a situation where a stray bullet hits you near the brain or spinal cord. This scenario also underscores the complex intersection of personal injury and criminal law, allowing you to claim fair brain or spinal cord injury compensation payouts.
4. Sports injuries
The thrill of a game can sometimes lead to injuries that can be severe. A bump, push, or slide while playing sports can sometimes have a strong impact, making athletes susceptible to a spinal cord or brain injury.
5. Surgical complications
Even in a medical setting, like surgeries, unforeseen complications can lead to spinal or brain injuries. For instance, anesthesia administration errors can result in inadequate oxygen supply to the brain, leading to damage.
Spinal Cord or Brain Injury Expenses Breakdown
As mentioned, getting into a major accident that causes severe injuries comes with a hefty bill. Understanding the financial implications is crucial for making informed decisions. That way, you can pursue spinal cord or brain injury lawsuits that ensure you get the compensation payout you deserve.
Caregiving costs
Typically, spinal cord and brain injuries affect your quality of life and your ability to accomplish day-to-day activities. As such, you may need to enlist the help of caregivers, incurring expenses on top of hospital visits and medicines. Estimated costs can vary widely, but on average, professional caregivers can cost you $15–$25 per hour.
Loss of income for the injury survivor
On top of daily activities, spinal cord and brain injuries can disrupt your ability to work, resulting in a significant loss of income. The extent of the loss depends on various factors, but a study states that a victim may lose around $4,000 annually after sustaining a brain injury.
In this case, enlisting an attorney’s help for a brain injury lawsuit is necessary to help you get the proper brain injury compensation payout you deserve.
Unexpected medical costs
The immediate medical costs following a spinal cord or brain injury can be staggering, especially with emergency room visits, surgeries, and diagnostic tests. The treatment costs can vary depending on the severity, but acute spinal cord injuries can cost around $142,366. Ensure you reach out to your lawyer for a fair spinal cord injury compensation payout.
Long-term medical costs
Ongoing medical expenses for rehabilitation, medications, and specialized care can accumulate significantly over your lifetime. In 2023, lifetime costs for treating a spinal cord injury can range from $2.7 million to $6 million.
Alternative medical treatments
In pursuing an improved quality of life after the injury, you may want to explore alternative treatments such as acupuncture. For reference, acupuncture can cost around $70–$150 per session.
5 Legal Steps to Take for Your Personal Injury
Before engaging in a spinal cord or brain injury lawsuit, you must first learn and understand the steps that come with it.
1. Prove the sustained damages
The foundation of any lawsuit is to establish the extent of damages—and spinal cord and brain injury cases are no different. This involves providing evidence that clearly illustrates the impact of the injury on your life, like medical records and expert testimonies. Painting a comprehensive picture of the physical, emotional, and financial toll can help you build a solid case.
2. Know the value of your claim
Understanding your claim’s value is a crucial step toward fair compensation. More than the immediate medical expenses, you must also consider the long-term care costs, loss of income, and the intangible toll on your quality of life. You need the expertise of professionals specializing in personal injury cases to calculate the value of your claim properly.
3. Prepare all documentation
Thorough documentation is the backbone of a successful personal injury claim. Keep a meticulous record of medical bills, receipts, employment records, and any correspondence related to the injury. You can use this paperwork as tangible proof of the incurred damages.
Ultimately, the paperwork can strengthen your case when negotiating with the involved parties for the proper spinal cord or brain injury compensation payout. Additionally, presenting them as evidence in court can turn the brain or spinal cord injury lawsuit in your favor.
4. Consult a lawyer
You may need a lawyer, given the legal complexities of navigating a spinal cord or brain injury lawsuit. Consider consulting an attorney specializing in personal injury cases, like the lawyers of RMD Law. A brain injury lawyer can be an advocate who understands the nuances of the law and assesses the merit of your case while guiding you through the intricacies of legal proceedings.
5. File a claim
After gathering the necessary documentation and seeking legal counsel, you must formally file a personal injury claim. This step initiates the legal process, prompting you and your lawyer’s negotiations with insurance companies. If necessary, your case may progress to a court trial. Filing a claim is a decisive action toward seeking the spinal cord or brain injury compensation payout rightfully owed for the harm you’ve suffered.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
Sustaining brain and spinal cord injuries can be a daunting ordeal. On top of the medical bills, you also need to navigate the legal complexities of the resulting lawsuit. However, understanding the right steps and knowing the value of your claim will award you with the compensation you deserve.
Remember, each case is unique, and the legal process is intricate. Having a knowledgeable attorney by your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your brain or spinal cord injury lawsuit. If you need a brain injury lawyer, reach out to us at RMD Law. Our team of experienced lawyers is ready for the tireless representation you deserve.
Contact us for a free case evaluation today.
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