Spinal cord injuries can have life-changing effects. Where you were once independent, you may now have to rely on the help of others for support. Favorite activities may no longer be possible, and new routines — often featuring painstaking rehabilitation and therapy — may now be a daily reality.
When you suffer this kind of life-changing injury through no fault of your own, it’s natural to want justice. In California, that means fair financial compensation awarded through the court system.
Spinal Cord Injuries By the Numbers
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, there are nearly 18,000 serious spinal cord injuries each year in the United States. While auto accidents and falls are the leading causes of spinal cord damage, these injuries can also be caused by sports accidents, physical violence, medical malpractice and other incidents.
Spinal injuries often require substantial medical intervention. The average injury requires 11 days of hospitalization and more than a month in follow up rehabilitation and care. Effects from these injuries may then linger for a lifetime, even after daily treatment concludes.
These injuries also have a serious impact on quality of life. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, only 12-percent of those with a spinal cord injury return to work within a year. Roughly two-thirds are never able to return to work.
Financial costs are also extremely high. The cost for lifetime care can stretch into the millions, and even relatively less severe spinal cord injuries may cost tens of thousands of dollars to treat each year. Sadly, life expectancy also typically declines significantly for those with spinal cord injuries.
Finding Justice Through the Court System
While litigation can never return you to your pre-injury state, it can help you realize some degree of justice for your suffering. Litigation also plays a critical role in helping those with spinal cord injuries pay for the care they need to improve their quality of life.
These medical expenses are quite substantial, and are also often lifelong. This means that it is an absolute necessity to receive fair and equitable compensation for your spinal cord injury. Settling for less than you deserve can have a seriously negative impact on your future quality of life.
In order to receive fair compensation, it’s important to consult with an experienced attorney with a track record of handling the most complex forms of spinal injury litigation. By choosing a law firm that specializes in the most challenging cases, you can rest assured that you’ll have a fierce advocate fighting on your behalf, helping ensure you receive everything you deserve.
