Denver Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Trusted Advocates for Spinal Injury Cases in Colorado
Spinal cord injuries are among the most catastrophic of all physical injuries. These injuries can forever alter your life, leaving you paralyzed or unable to engage in routine life activities or maintain your career or job. This means that, while needing ongoing medical treatment that can cost staggering amounts, you may face the prospect of financial distress or ruin. When a spinal cord injury is caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of someone else, you have the right to pursue maximum compensation for your losses and damages.
Call Parker Lipman today at (720) 408-6840 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our spinal cord injury attorney in Denver!
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
Your spinal cord is a relay system between your brain and your entire body. Your spinal cord contains the nerves that allow your brain to control your muscles; it also relays sensory information back to your brain. When the spinal cord is bruised or severed, this communication system is disrupted, which can cause dysfunction below the level of the spinal cord injury. This is what leads to such consequences as paralysis and loss of control of organs connected to that part of the spinal cord.
Spinal cord injuries can either be complete or incomplete. Complete injuries result in permanent damage to the part of the cord that has been injured. This can cause paraplegia (paralysis from the chest down) or quadriplegia (also referred to as tetraplegia), which involves paralysis of both the arms and legs.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries are those in which the cord has been only partially damaged. The loss of sensation in the body connected to these injuries will depend on what area of the cord was damaged and how extensive the damage is. The body's extremities may have limited or partial function or disabling pain.
Broken necks, backs, or fractured vertebrae can cause these injuries. Discs in the spine can also be injured, resulting in tears or ruptures that create chronic pain or even loss of body control.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are commonly caused by:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Sports or recreational events, such as skiing accidents
- Falls
- Assaults
- Birth injuries
- Medical malpractice
Spinal cord injuries can also be caused by a medical provider's failure to diagnose certain emergency medical conditions such as cauda equina syndrome.
What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
Potential damages may include:
- Medical Expenses: The cost of medical care for spinal cord injuries can be substantial. This includes emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing physical therapy. For many individuals, the need for specialized medical equipment and home modifications also arises.
- Lost Wages: Spinal cord injuries could lead to substantial time away from work or even permanent disability. Compensation may include wages lost during recovery, as well as future earning potential if the injury impacts one's ability to work or limits career options. Accurate documentation of lost income and future earning capacity is essential to establishing the financial impact of the injury.
- Pain and Suffering: The physical pain and emotional distress associated with a spinal cord injury can be profound. Pain and suffering damages aim to compensate for the physical discomfort, emotional anguish, and diminished quality of life resulting from the injury. These damages are subjective and are typically determined based on the severity of the injury and its impact on daily life.
- Loss of Consortium: A spinal cord injury can affect relationships and family dynamics. Loss of consortium damages address the impact on relationships with spouses, partners, and family members. This compensation is intended to cover the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy experienced as a result of the injury.
- Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care: Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in the recovery process, and long-term care may be necessary for those with severe spinal cord injuries. This can include ongoing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and assistance with daily activities. Securing compensation for these long-term needs ensures that individuals have access to the care required for optimal recovery and quality of life.
- Emotional Distress: In addition to physical pain, spinal cord injuries can lead to significant emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. Compensation for emotional distress seeks to address the psychological impact of the injury, helping individuals cope with the mental and emotional challenges they face.
- Home Modifications and Assistive Devices: Adjustments to one’s living environment and the acquisition of assistive devices may be necessary to accommodate mobility limitations or changes in physical abilities. Compensation may cover the cost of modifying a home to improve accessibility or purchasing specialized equipment such as wheelchairs or adaptive technology.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: A spinal cord injury can restrict one's ability to participate in activities previously enjoyed. Compensation for loss of enjoyment of life addresses the reduction in the ability to engage in hobbies, sports, and other personal interests that contribute to overall happiness and well-being.
Why You Need a Denver Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Because of the life-changing consequences of spinal cord injuries, you will need an attorney who is experienced in claims for catastrophic injuries. These types of injuries can be permanent, deeply affecting your quality of life and ability to function in day-to-day living, as well as from large, powerful, and well-funded corporations and insurance companies. You need someone experienced on your side who can correct that imbalance.
Our attorneys have decades of experience investigating medical negligence cases at Parker Lipman. We carefully investigate each situation to determine your health insurer's right to subrogation and take steps to resolve any subrogation claims after your case.
Contact Parker Lipman today to meet with our spinal cord injury lawyer in Denver!
