Albany spinal cord lawyer

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most impactful injuries you can experience in an accident. If the spinal cord is severed or torn, you may feel the impact in every area of your life, from everyday functioning to your career. That’s why it’s crucial to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligent actions.

The skilled Albany spinal cord lawyers with Shrable Law Firm, P.C. are ready to help. Contact our team for a free consultation today and learn more about what is next for your insurance and civil claims against the at-fault party.

Why spinal cord injuries are so serious

Spinal cord injuries are often considered critical due to the risk of paralysis. There are multiple types of paralysis you could suffer due to a spinal cord injury. Complete spinal cord injuries mean your spinal cord has been severed, while incomplete spinal cord injuries mean the spinal cord has been torn.

Complete spinal cord injuries are often permanent, while incomplete spinal cord injuries may not always result in permanent paralysis. Some examples of spinal cord and paralyzing injuries could include:

• Tetraplegia
• Hemiplegia
• Paraplegia
• Monoplegia
• Triplegia
• Anterior cord syndrome
• Brown-Sequard syndrome
• Central cord syndrome

When you suffer paralysis or debilitating spinal cord injuries, it may be impossible for you to continue working. Additionally, you may require around-the-clock care and medical support to complete daily living activities. For this reason, holding the liable party accountable is crucial. 

With help from an experienced Albany personal injury lawyer at Shrable Law Firm, P.C., you can ensure you recover maximum compensation for your damages so you are not stuck covering these costs on your own.

Steps to take after experiencing a spinal cord injury

Not only is your physical well-being at stake but so is your ability to recover the compensation to which you may be entitled. With that in mind, here are some of the essential steps to take after suffering a spinal cord injury.

1. Call 911

Immediately call 911 and emergency responders. It would be best if you got a team of professionals to the scene so you can get the medical treatment you need and law enforcement officials can begin investigating the cause of your accident.

2. Document the scene if possible

If possible, begin to document the scene and collect evidence to support your case. With spinal cord injuries, it is not always in your best interests to attempt to move. Depending on which portion of the spine has been damaged, moving could cause permanent paralysis and disability. 

However, if you are dealing with an incomplete spinal cord injury or minor back damage, you might be able to take photos of your injuries and the accident scene, video footage of the surrounding conditions, and get the contact information of all involved parties and witnesses.

3. Obtain follow-up care

Obtaining medical treatment is crucial. If you hope to avoid permanent disability, you should be prepared to take your healthcare provider’s advice, undergo surgery if recommended, and attend physical and occupational therapy to regain as much functionality as possible. If you do not obtain follow-up care, you risk the defendant accusing you of exaggerating the extent of your injuries.

4. Speak with a personal injury attorney

When you have an Albany spinal cord injury lawyer working for you, you can breathe easier. Our firm will handle everything on your behalf. This way, you can attend follow-up care appointments and rebuild your life. At the same time, we work on gathering evidence against the liable party and preparing to fight for the compensation that is rightfully yours.

Make sure you file a claim on time

According to the Georgia statute of limitations laws, your spinal cord injury claim must be filed within two years of the accident. However, since every person’s case is different, there may be aggravating or mitigating factors in place that could extend or shorten the amount of time you have to get your claim filed. 

Unfortunately, if your case is not filed before time runs out, you lose the right to have your case heard and potentially recover compensation for your damages. Fortunately, when you have an experienced spinal cord injury attorney at Shrable Law Firm, P.C. working for you, you do not have to worry about missed deadlines.

Potential damages you can claim

Your Albany GA spinal cord injury lawyer will carefully examine how significantly your life has been affected by the damages and the accident that caused your injuries. Collectively, you have the right to be made whole. This means the liable party should compensate you for every loss you experienced due to their negligent actions.

However, there may be multiple damages you are entitled to recover that you are unaware of. To ensure we are counting for all losses, you can rely on your attorney to separate your damages into categories referred to as economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages

Economic damages include all out-of-pocket, financial, or monetary losses. They are easier to prove than their non-monetary counterparts. Your attorney can introduce bank records, financial statements, receipts, and other documents that prove their value. 

Some examples of economic damages that could be recovered after a spinal cord injury include:

• Costs of medical equipment, including specialty wheelchairs
• Home accommodation fees, such as installing wheelchair ramps or shower rails
• Costs of prescription medications
• Costs of surgical interventions and reconstructive work
• Future medical care associated with your spinal cord injuries
• Loss of income and diminished earning potential
• Loss of employer-provided retirement savings, health insurance, and other employee benefits
• Personal property damages, such as vehicle repair costs or the cost of replacing destroyed electronics

Non-economic damages

Non-economic damages are not monetary. They do not have a financial value which makes them more difficult to quantify. They are entirely subjective, so every person’s life will be affected to varying degrees based on the specific details of your case, the type of injuries, and the accident you were involved in. 

However, since they often substantially impact victims’ lives, it is crucial to ensure you are compensated fairly for these losses. Some examples of non-economic damages could include:

• Disfiguring injuries
• Embarrassing skin scars
• Inconvenience
• Emotional trauma and mental anguish
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of an intimate spousal relationship
• Loss of companionship, guidance, advice, protection, support, and love

Causes of spinal cord injuries

Your claim can only be successful if your Albany spinal cord injury lawyer can prove that someone else is responsible for causing your injuries. Spinal cord damage can happen in nearly any type of accident or incident. However, our team frequently sees spinal cord injuries in the following types of accidents:

• Motor vehicle accidents – This can include cars, trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians, bicycles, and any other type of motor vehicle crash. Negligent drivers, equipment manufacturers, and those responsible for road safety and maintenance could share blame depending on how the accident occurred.
• Slip-and-fall accidents – In slip and fall accident claims, whether your injuries were caused by a ladder accident, wet floor, or broken walkway, the property owner where the accident occurred will likely be examined for liability.
• Acts of violence – If you were brutally assaulted or attacked, your spinal cord injury attorney would work diligently to ensure the asphalt party is held accountable in civil court while police work to bring criminal charges against them where applicable.
• Construction accidents – Electrocution, falls from elevated heights, being caught in or between machinery, and slip and fall accidents are just a couple examples of construction accidents. You may also be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits if you were injured in an on-the-job construction accident.

Spinal cord injury symptoms

Some of the more prevalent spinal cord injury symptoms include:

• Reduced sensation
• Numbness or tingling
• Stiff muscles
• Muscle weakness
• Urinary retention or leaking
• Shortness of breath
• Overactive reflexes
• Muscle spasms

How our Albany spinal cord injury lawyers prove negligence

In spinal cord injury claims, your attorney must show that someone else’s negligent actions contributed to or caused your injuries and resulting damages. To do this, your lawyer will introduce compelling evidence to prove the defendant’s liability. Some examples of such evidence could include:

• Witness statements
• Expert testimony
• Copies of your medical records
• The defendant’s blood alcohol test results
• Photos of your injuries
• Video of the incident that resulted in injury
• Reports from accident reconstructionists and the police
• The defendant’s cell phone records
• The defendant’s driving records
• Personal journal entries

Our Albany spinal cord injury lawyers are ready to help

It would be best not to be forced to cope with the fallout of someone else’s mistake or negligent actions. You can take steps to fight for the confrontation and justice you deserve when you contact our spinal cord injury lawyers in Albany at Shrable Law Firm.

With our firm advocating for your rights, you can fight to ensure the liable party is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as today when you complete our quick contact form or call our office at (229) 349-6291.