Those who suffer a spinal cord injury might face permanent disability, including complete or partial paralysis in one or more regions of the body. Severe spinal cord injuries are life-changing events.
Even though complete recovery might not be possible, the time and effort required for rehabilitation results in massive amounts of physical pain and mental anguish. Victims typically cannot work; all the while, medical bills for continued care and treatment continue to build.
If you suffered a spinal cord injury as a result of another party’s intentional harm or negligence, you deserve compensation for damages related to your injury. Wisconsin law permits you to take legal action as long as you do so within the statute of limitations which applies to your case. Don’t delay. Contact an experienced Milwaukee spinal cord injury lawyer at Groth Law Firm at (414) 240-0707 to discuss your injury and learn how we can help you move forward.
Groth Law Firm’s Results in Spinal Cord Injury Cases
The skilled and award-winning legal team at Groth Law Firm has extensive experience in settling, negotiating, and litigating personal injury cases, including those which involve spinal cord injuries. The firm’s passionate commitment to client advocacy has resulted in recovering millions of dollars in damages and verdicts for clients. This doesn’t guarantee any outcome for your case, but the experienced Milwaukee spinal cord injury lawyers at Groth Law Firm will go the extra mile to maximize the likelihood of a positive outcome for your case.
Most Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports four specific scenarios which cause more than 9 out of 10 of all spinal cord injuries each year across the nation. These four scenarios are:
- Traffic accidents. Motor vehicle, motorcycle, truck, bicycle, and pedestrian collisions cause 40 percent of spinal cord injuries in the U.S. for those under age 65.
- Slips, trips, and falls. Unintentional falls are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Additionally, falls account for 28 percent of all spinal cord injuries regardless of age.
- Intentional violence. All forms of violence, especially stabbings and gunshot wounds, cause about 15 percent of spinal cord injuries.
- Full-contact sports. Sporting activities such as football and martial arts cause about 8 percent of spinal cord injuries each year.
Long-term Complications from Spinal Cord Damage
As a main component of your central nervous system, your spinal cord carries messages from your brain to the rest of your body. When spinal cord injuries occur, messages cannot reach areas of the spine below the injury. For this reason, spinal cord damage which occurs closest to the neck causes the most severe damage. Below you will find associated long-term complications which might occur from spinal cord injuries, categorized by each area of the spine:
- Cervical spinal region. The cervical region is comprised of the eight vertebrae which make up the neck and the part of the spinal cord they protect. In this area of the body, the spinal cord controls nerve signals to the diaphragm and the arms. A severe spinal cord injury in the cervical region might result in permanent paralysis below the neck, more formally referred to as tetraplegia. Other long-term complications include the loss of sensation in limbs and the inability to independently breathe without a ventilator or other device.
- Thoracic spinal region. The cervical region is located in the upper back and controls signals from the brain to the arms and the core of a person’s body. When a severe spinal cord injury occurs in the thoracic region, victims struggle with movement in their torso and controlling the muscles in their abdomen.
- Lumbar spinal region. The lumbar region of your spinal cord is located in your lower back. Injuries to the lumbar region and the sacral region, just above the tailbone don’t typically have the long-term complications associated with other regions. The lumbar region of the spine controls signals to the hips, legs, feet, and toes. In severe cases, injuries which occur near the top of the lumbar might cause paralysis from the waist down, formally called paraplegia.
Seeking Compensation After a Spinal Cord Injury
Suffering a spinal cord injury can cause financial distress for victims and their families. Money will not undo injuries, but it can help victims pay for medical treatment not covered by insurance and supplement lost wages from missing work. When a victim receives a settlement or favorable court verdict, they might receive compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses for ambulance ride, emergency room visit, hospital stay, diagnostic scans, surgery, and medication
- Future medical expenses for severe spinal cord injuries requiring extensive recovery and around-the-clock care indefinitely
- Rehabilitation expenses including visits to physical therapists and other specialists who will work to help a victim regain lost functions
- Home modification expenses such as the installation of handrails and wheelchair ramps to make a property more accessible
- Lost wages for time away from the job related to the injury, hospitalization, and recovery
- Lost future wages for severe spinal cord injuries resulting in a permanent disability which prevents a victim from working
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium with a spouse
Contact a Milwaukee Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today
As you struggle through the aftermath of a spinal cord injury, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure about your next steps. Contact the compassionate and knowledgeable personal injury attorneys in Milwaukee at Groth Law Firm online or at (414) 240-0707 to discuss the details of your accident, injury, and prognosis during a free consultation. The skilled legal team at Groth Law Firm will fight to get you the compensation you deserve by building a strong case against the party(s) liable for your injury, negotiating with the insurance company, and litigating your case in the courtroom, when settlement isn’t an option.