The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) reported that nearly 17,900 spinal cord injury (SCI) cases happen every year in the U.S. with roughly 294,000 people living with the long-term effects of a spinal cord injury.

The most common causes of spine injuries include vehicle crashes, falls, acts of violence, and sports-related injuries.

Spine injuries often result in long-term physical, emotional, and financial consequences. It’s important to understand your legal rights and the steps to take to seek compensation for mounting medical bills, lost wages, and future expenses. Kentucky personal injury lawyers offer the expertise needed to guide you through the complex legal process and help get financial compensation for your pain and suffering. Call us today: 888-709-9329.

Why Rhoads & Rhoads is the Right Choice for Your Spinal Injury Claim

When dealing with the aftermath of a spinal cord injury, having an experienced legal team on your side is crucial. Rhoads & Rhoads, a team of trusted Kentucky spinal cord injury attorneys, has extensive experience handling spinal cord injury claims.

We focus on securing full and fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and other damages. We offer free consultations to assess your case and provide a plan for seeking justice. Whether your injury occurred due to a car crash, semi-truck accident, industrial injury,  injury from sports, or another cause, our experienced attorneys will fight for your rights.

What Is a Spinal Injury?

A spinal cord injury is a severe injury to the spine that can result in indefinite disability or paralysis. The cord of the spine is an important part of the central nervous system that transmits nerve signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Damage can impair these signals, leading to a loss of movement, sensation, and control over various bodily functions.

Spinal injuries can be classified as either a complete injury or an incomplete injury. A complete spinal cord injury classification means a total loss of function below the level of the injury, while an incomplete spinal cord injury signifies that some function still remains. The degree of impairment depends on the location of the injury on the spinal column and whether the injury has affected the cervical spine, thoracic spine, or lumbar spine.

Two common types of these injuries include:

• Tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia): Paralysis affecting all four limbs, typically caused by a cervical spinal cord injury.
• Paraplegia: Indicates paralysis affecting the lower body, usually due to a thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spinal cord injury. 

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Car crashes and semi-truck accidents are leading causes of spinal cord injuries, often resulting from high-impact crashes. Injuries from sports, especially in high-contact sports, are another significant source of spinal injuries. Workplace accidents, falls, and violent incidents such as assaults can also cause severe spinal cord damage.

Spinal injuries may occur as a result of medical conditions or previous injuries, leading to further complications or severe spinal cord injuries.

Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms You Should Know

Symptoms of a spinal cord injury can vary depending on the location and severity of the injury. Some symptoms include:

• Loss of movement or sensation in the affected limbs
• Difficulty breathing, especially if the injury is in the cervical spine
• Inability to control bodily functions such as bowel and bladder
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in affected areas
• Muscle spasms or abnormal reflexes
• Paralysis in some or all body parts

If you experience any symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. A medical professional can diagnose the injury and begin a treatment plan.

Long-Term Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury

The long-term effects of a spinal cord injury can be profound. Many survivors experience permanent paralysis, which may affect the lower half or upper half of the body, depending on the injury site. The effects can include:

• Permanent disability that requires ongoing treatment such as physical therapy and occupational therapy
• Difficulty with daily activities, including mobility, self-care, and communication
• Chronic pain and discomfort, sometimes requiring expensive medical treatment
• Psychological and emotional challenges due to the trauma of the injury

It’s important to work with professionals to create a care plan that addresses the physical and emotional needs of the injury survivor.

How To Determine the Value of Your Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury claim is a complex process that involves evaluating various factors. The claim value will depend on:

• Medical expenses: The cost of treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care
• Lost wages: The income lost due to your inability to work as a result of the injury
• Non-economic damages: These include pain, suffering, and emotional distress that may result from the injury
• Future medical expenses: The cost of future treatments and therapies that will be needed for recovery
• Degree of disability: The severity of the injury and its impact on daily life

A Kentucky personal injury lawyer can help assess all of these factors and build a strong case to recover the maximum possible compensation for catastrophic injuries.

Injuries and Negligence: Understanding Liability

Spinal cord injuries often result from accidents or incidents caused by the negligence or wrongful actions of another party. When someone else’s carelessness leads to such severe and life-altering injuries, the injured individual has the right to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

Common Examples of Negligence Leading to Spinal Cord Injuries

• Car Accidents
  Vehicle collisions are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States. The party’s negligence can include actions like distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, or failure to follow traffic laws can result in severe accidents that cause spinal injuries.
• Slip and Fall Accidents
  Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises. If a slip and fall occurs due to hazardous conditions, the property owner may be held liable for any resulting spinal injuries.
• Workplace Accidents
  Employers are responsible for providing a safe working environment. Failure to follow safety protocols or provide proper training and equipment can lead to accidents causing spinal injuries, particularly in industries like construction.
• Sports Injury
  Negligence by coaches, trainers, or event organizers—such as failing to enforce safety rules or provide adequate equipment—can lead to preventable spinal cord injuries.

Proving Negligence in Spinal Injury Cases

To hold someone accountable for a spinal cord injury, the injured party must prove negligence:

• Duty of Care: The defendant owed a duty to act reasonably to prevent harm.
• Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to meet this standard of care.
• Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the spinal cord injury.
• Damages: The injury resulted in measurable harm, such as medical expenses or emotional suffering.

The Role of an Attorney in Proving Negligence

An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer is essential in building a strong case. They investigate the circumstances around the injury, collect evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and testimony, and negotiate with the insurance adjuster or represent you in court to recover maximum compensation.

Seeking Justice for Negligence

When someone else’s negligence causes a spinal injury, the victim has the right to pursue a spinal cord injury lawsuit to seek compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable. By working with knowledgeable Kentucky spinal cord injury lawyers, victims can seek justice.

The Role of Insurance Companies in Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts in personal injury lawsuits, including spinal cord injury lawsuits. They may dispute the extent of your injuries or attempt to settle for an amount that doesn’t fully cover damages.

A spinal cord injury lawyer works to ensure the insurance company doesn’t undervalue your claim and that you receive financial compensation that reflects the full extent of your injuries.

How Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys Can Help You Recover Compensation

Kentucky spinal cord injury attorneys are dedicated to helping serious spinal cord injury victims recover compensation for injuries they’ve suffered. Skilled spine injury lawyers:

• Investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury
• Gather and review patient records to understand the extent of the injury
• Consult with professionals to determine long-term needs
• Negotiate with insurance companies to secure the maximum compensation
• Represent you in court if necessary to hold the responsible party accountable

Medical Care and Ongoing Treatment for Spinal Cord Injury Survivors

Spinal injury survivors require expensive medical treatment and ongoing medical care to manage their condition. This can include surgeries, rehabilitation, therapy, and assistive devices. For some victims, the injury will require lifelong medical attention and physical therapy.

Survivors of spinal cord injuries may also need to adapt to new living circumstances, which can involve the installation of specialized equipment in the home or hiring personal care aides. These factors will be considered when determining the value of the claim and the compensation needed.

Types of Damages You Can Claim in a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit

In a spinal cord injury lawsuit, victims can claim economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include tangible losses:

• Medical expenses
• Lost earning capacity
• Future medical bills for ongoing care, therapies, and medications

Non-economic damages are intangible:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability
• Loss of spousal, parental or child consortium (deprived of the society and services they would normally receive)

These damages should be carefully calculated to ensure that victims receive compensation for both their tangible and intangible losses.

Protecting Your Legal Rights After a Spinal Cord Injury

After a spinal cord injury, it is crucial to act quickly to protect your legal rights. As time passes, evidence may become harder to gather, and the statute of limitations may prevent you from filing a claim. By contacting a Kentucky spinal cord injury attorney, you can ensure that your case is thoroughly investigated, and your rights are safeguarded.

Why Choose Rhoads & Rhoads for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case?

We’re committed to providing exceptional legal services to spinal cord injury victims throughout Kentucky. With a track record of success in handling spinal cord cases, our attorneys have the skills and knowledge to secure compensation for your injuries.

We understand the challenges you are facing, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Contact a Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to another party’s negligence, it is crucial to consult with experienced Kentucky personal injury attorneys who specialize in these cases. A skilled injury lawyer can help you navigate complex legal processes and ensure that you’re fairly compensated for your serious injuries.

Rhoads & Rhoads advocates for spinal injury victims and their families. We’ll handle your case so you can focus on recovery.

Contact us for a free consultation: 888-709-9329.