Philadelphia Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Any type of personal injury can be devastating, but spinal cord injuries are typically more perilous and cause irrevocable harm to victims. The spinal cord is a cluster of nerves encased in the spinal vertebrae, and this is how the brain sends signals to the rest of the body. Unlike most other parts of the human body, the spinal cord is incapable of healing itself. If something damages or severs the cord, the resulting impairments are permanent and usually extremely debilitating.

Why You Need A Philadelphia Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

As with any spinal injury case, obtaining a fair settlement for your injuries will depend upon your legal counsel’s ability to prove negligence on the part of the defendant. Proving negligence depends upon establishing that the defendant owed the victim a duty of care to act in a reasonable manner, they violated this duty, and the victim’s injuries were the direct result of that violation.

Every case is different, but spinal cord injuries never heal and have extensive ramifications. An experienced spinal cord injury attorney will make the ordeal much easier, and allow you to focus on healing and adjusting to your new circumstances. To start reviewing your case with a legal expert in Philadelphia, reach out to the team of Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices today.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries In Philadelphia

Typically, the higher the damage is on the spinal cord, the more serious the repercussions are. Individuals who suffer injury very low on their spinal cords, near the hips or pelvic bone, may suffer reduced mobility or lose the use of their legs. If an injury is higher up, closer to the base of the skull, the person may experience below-the-neck paralysis.

When most people hear the term “paralysis,” they automatically assume it means the inability to move. However, paralysis not only affects a person’s ability to move his or her body – it can also cause loss of control over internal functions and bodily processes, such as breathing, bladder and bowel control, and sexual function.

Spinal cord injuries are “complete” or “incomplete” injuries. If the affected region of the body no longer receives any neurological signals from the brain, it is a complete injury. This usually means complete, permanent loss of movement and function in the affected areas. With an incomplete spinal cord injury, there is still a degree of sensation in the affected regions. These injuries may result in little sensation but some function or vice versa.

Another way to classify spinal cord injuries revolves around the difference between tetraplegia and paraplegia.

• Tetraplegia is also known as quadriplegia, and this means that a victim’s arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs will all be affected by the injury they incur. This type of paralysis typically occurs with spinal cord injuries that happen higher up along the spinal column, usually towards the cervical area.
• Paraplegia is a type of paralysis that only affects all or part of the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs. This type of paralysis or partial paralysis typically occurs with spinal cord injuries that occur along the lower portion of the spinal column.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), the most common cause of spinal cord injury is a motor vehicle collision. Vehicle accidents account for more than 38% of spinal cord injuries annually and can be handled by our Philadelphia accident attorneys. This can include vehicle accidents involving only traditional passenger cars as well as incidents involving commercial vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Additionally, this can also include accidents involving more non-traditional vehicles such as ATVs, golf carts, dirt bikes, and more.

Following vehicle collisions, fall incidents account for roughly 32%, acts of violence comprise 14%, sports and recreational activities generate about 8% of spinal cord injuries, and alcohol is a contributing factor in one out of every four spinal cord injury cases. Medical and surgical mistakes account for around 4% of all spinal cord injuries. 

These are certainly not the only causes of spinal cord injuries, and we encourage you to reach out to a skilled spinal cord injury attorney who can examine your case and help determine which steps would be most beneficial for recovering compensation in your situation.

If you were injured due to a falling accident, please reach out to our Philadelphia slip and fall attorneys today.

Who Is Liable In A Spinal Cord Injury Claim? 

There may be various parties who can be held liable for a spinal cord injury in Philadelphia. Each case must be examined individually in order to determine which party or parties to hold liable. When you work with a Philadelphia spinal cord injury attorney, you will have an advocate ready to fully investigate the claim and determine which parties are responsible and should pay compensation. Some of the possible liable parties include:

• Regular drivers in other vehicles
• Commercial vehicle drivers
• Property owners
• Product or vehicle manufacturers
• Individuals accused of assault
• Medical professionals
• Employers

The goal of a spinal cord injury claim is to show that the alleged negligent party not only owed a duty of care to the victim but that they breached their duty of care due to their negligence or intentional actions. If it can be shown that the breach of duty led to the spinal cord injury and that the victims suffered monetary losses, the claim has a better chance of success.

In almost any situation that may result in someone suffering an injury to their spinal cord, the negligence of another party can cause serious, permanent damage to the victim. It’s crucial for anyone who has suffered such an injury to be aware of the legal rights that apply to such cases. Spinal cord injuries can result in ongoing treatments, physical therapy, or a completely altered quality of life, including the inability to continue working. It’s important to seek experienced legal counsel if you believe another party’s irresponsible actions caused your spinal cord injury. The resulting costs should not be the burden of the victim.

Compensation For A Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury victims may be able to recover various types of compensation if their claim against another party is successful. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our goal is to recover both economic and non-economic compensation on behalf of our clients. For a spinal cord injury, this could include the following:

• • Economic Damages. Economic damages associated with a spinal cord injury involve a range of medical and non-medical losses a person will likely endure. These are relatively calculable by examining receipts, bills, or invoices the spinal cord injury victim receives in the aftermath of the incident. Additionally, medical and economic professionals can help predict future expected economic damages caused by any disability and ongoing needs. Some of the most common economic damages associated with a spinal cord injury include:
    • All emergency medical expenses
    • Any continued doctor or hospital costs
    • Medical devices and prescription medications
    • The cost of home or vehicle modifications
    • Assistance with household out-of-pocket expenses
    • The cost of in-home medical assistance
    • Lost wages if a victim is unable to work
    • Property damage expenses

• Non-Economic Damages. Non-economic damages associated with a spinal cord injury are less calculable than the economic losses mentioned above. These types of losses do not have receipts or bills that can be gathered and added up, but they are equally as important. For example, recovered damages are meant to assist a spinal cord injury victim with the following:

• Physical pain and suffering endured

• Emotional and psychological trauma suffered due to the injury and the aftermath

• Loss of enjoyment of life and loss of quality of life

• Loss of consortium for a spouse or family members

There is no set amount of compensation paid to a victim if their spinal cord injury claim is successful. However, these types of claims often result in high-value settlements due to the ongoing nature of spinal cord injuries. Data from the NSCISC indicates that the first year of medical care for a spinal cord injury victim can range anywhere from around $375,000 to more than $1.1 million, with each following year ranging from approximately $45,000 to nearly $200,000.

Contact a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Philadelphia Today

If you or somebody you love has sustained A spinal cord injury caused by the negligent actions of another individual or entity in the Philadelphia area, contact the team at Ciccarelli Law Offices today. We are ready to step in and help handle every aspect of your claim. This includes investigating the incident, negotiating with insurance carriers, and preparing your case for trial if necessary. When you need a Philadelphia spinal cord injury lawyer, you can fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page or call (215) 996-7769. We offer free consultations, and we’re waiting to hear from you.