Suffering spinal injury in Houston? We fight for your rights!
Are you dealing with a Houston spinal injury? The physical, mental, and financial stress can be overwhelming. In this situation, Houston Spine Injury Lawyers are crucial.
The experienced team at Leeds Law Firm understands spinal injury claims and how they can affect your daily life. Our purpose is to relieve your difficulties by getting the utmost compensation you deserve using our substantial state law knowledge and successful claims history.
Quick Summary
The article discusses the role of Houston Spine Injury Lawyers in assisting victims of spinal injuries pursue maximum compensation.
Key takeaways:
- Houston Spine Injury Lawyers aim to alleviate the burden of spinal injuries by pursuing the maximum compensation for victims.
- Spinal cord injuries are serious medical conditions resulting in severe mobility and sensory function loss, necessitating expert legal representation.
- Causes of spinal cord injuries range from car, truck, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, slips and falls to workplace accidents and defective products.
- Victims can claim for economic, non-economic and, in some cases, punitive damages after a spinal cord injury accident.
- There is a legal time limit to file a spinal cord injury claim, emphasizing the need for timely action.
Our Houston Spine Injury Lawyers will fight for your rights every step of the way. Contact us today to start your justice journey. Free consultation by phone call or chat.
What is Spine Injury?
A spine injury, commonly known as a spinal cord injury (SCI), damages the spinal cord or cauda equina nerves1. The spinal cord sends and receives brain-body impulses.
Car accidents and cancer can cause spinal cord damage. Due to the disruption of spinal cord nerve axons, SCI causes motor and sensory function to decline below the lesion site, resulting in significant morbidity and permanent impairment.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
The severity of a spinal cord injury is primarily determined by the location of the injury within the spinal cord and the nature of the injury.
- Complete: A complete spinal cord injury is characterized by a total loss of sensation and motor function below the site of the injury.
- Incomplete: An incomplete spinal cord injury implies that there is some degree of motor or sensory function remaining below the affected area. Incomplete injuries can have varying levels of severity.
Moreover, the paralysis resulting from a spinal cord injury can be categorized as:
- Tetraplegia: Also referred to as quadriplegia, tetraplegia affects the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs due to the spinal cord injury.
- Paraplegia: Paraplegia is a type of paralysis that impacts all or part of the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs.
To determine the neurological level and completeness of the injury, the healthcare team will conduct a series of tests.
Spinal cord injuries, regardless of their type, may cause one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
- Loss of movement
- Loss or change in sensation, including the ability to feel heat, cold, and touch
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Exaggerated reflex actions or muscle spasms
- Alterations in sexual function, sensitivity, and fertility
- Pain or intense stinging sensations due to damage to nerve fibers in the spinal cord
- Difficulty breathing, coughing, or clearing lung secretions
When Should a Spinal Cord Injury Be Treated as An Emergency?
A spinal cord injury can be a life-altering event with severe, long-lasting consequences. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize when a spinal cord injury should be treated as an emergency. Ignoring potential warning signs can lead to irreversible damage and complications. The following emergency signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury after an accident should be given immediate medical attention:
Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, head, or back
This symptom may suggest spinal cord or adjacent structure damage requiring rapid medical attention. Pressure on the spinal cord might harm it permanently.
Weakness, incoordination or paralysis in any part of your body
Following a spinal cord injury, these difficulties may indicate nerve damage. Emergency medical intervention is needed to reduce damage and speed recovery.
Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes
Such sensory changes can indicate spinal cord disruptions and should be addressed immediately to prevent long-term complications or disabilities.
Loss of bladder or bowel control
This issue can signify spinal cord damage disrupting the nerves controlling these functions. Timely medical intervention is crucial to minimize long-term effects.
Difficulty with balance and walking
Any challenges in maintaining balance or walking after an accident may suggest spinal cord injury, warranting urgent medical care to address the underlying cause.
Impaired breathing after injury
Trouble breathing after an accident may indicate a cervical spinal cord injury, which is quite concerning. Immediate medical assistance could be life-saving in this case.
An oddly positioned or twisted neck or back
An aberrant neck or back position may signal a significant spinal cord damage. Preventing further injury requires immediate medical examination and treatment.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Many conditions can cause spinal cord injury, affecting quality of life. Understanding their common causes aids prevention and awareness. Here are the leading causes of spinal cord injuries:
Traffic and Vehicular accidents
Spinal cord injuries are often caused by vehicular accidents and traffic accident. High-speed collisions or rapid vehicular impacts can traumatize the spinal cord. The intensity of the impact may cause partial or full paralysis and long-term problems.
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
Premise Liability Accidents
Premise liability accidents are a significant cause of spinal cord injuries. These accidents occur when a property owner’s negligence results in harm to a visitor.
- Slip and Fall accidents
- Sports and recreation accidents
Workplace accidents
Working in dangerous or physically demanding jobs increases the chance of spinal cord injury. Heavy machinery, tools, equipment, or falls from heights can injure the spine in workplace accidents.
- Construction accidents
Defective products
Spinal cord injuries can result from defective or faulty products such as vehicular parts, ladders, or machinery. Manufacturers and distributors must follow safety and quality standards. If a defective product causes spinal cord damage, organizations may be accountable.
Treatment for Atlanta Spinal Cord Injuries
There’s no cure available currently for a spinal cord injury, but several strategies exist that can help preserve function, prevent further harm, and manage complications.
- Surgery: Decompression is a common procedure to relieve spinal cord pressure. Internal fixation stabilizes vertebrae with metal rods and screws.
- Medication: Medication might be used to control symptoms or prevent further damage. Steroid infusions reduce injury inflammation, whereas muscle relaxants treat spasms.
- Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation is crucial for managing spinal cord injuries, aiming to enhance function and independence. Strength and movement can be improved by hydrotherapy. Bracing supports and aids mobility.
While these treatments can’t completely heal spinal cord injuries, they play a crucial role in the patient’s journey to attaining the highest possible quality of life post-injury.
Damages You Can Claim After a Spinal Cord Injury Accident
After a spinal cord injury accident, you can claim for several damages if someone else was at fault. These damages fall into three classes: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are those with a clear financial value, including:
- Medical Expenses: These include all costs related to treating your spinal cord injury and other related injuries.
- Rehabilitation Costs: This covers the costs of physical therapy and occupational therapy required for your recovery.
- Lost Wages: If the injury caused you to miss work, you could claim for the wages you lost during that period.
- Lost earning Capacity: If your spinal cord injury limits your ability to earn money in the future, you can claim for this as well.
Non Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are those without a clear financial value but still impact your quality of life, such as:
- Pain and Suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury.
- Mental Disorders: If you develop problems like anxiety or depression due to your injuries, these can also be claimed.
- Fear, Humiliation, or Embarrassment: Psychological impacts like these also come under non-economic damages.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This includes any reduction in your quality of life due to the injury.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are rarely given and punish the at-fault party for particularly reckless or negligent behavior to deter it.
To file a claim, keep detailed records of any accident-related expenses and losses. This includes saving all medical bills, keeping pay stubs, and discussing non-monetary damages with your lawyer.
Is There A Time Limit on Filing a Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
Houston law mandates a two-year timeframe for filing a spinal cord injury claim from the date of injury. However, filing a claim quickly after the injury-causing accident is best. If you wait too long, witnesses may forget facts or lose vital evidence, making it hard to determine fault.
Starting a spinal cord injury claim doesn’t need immediate settlement. A lawyer who specializes in these matters would normally advise you to settle your claim when you have fully healed or obtained “maximum medical improvement” (MMI).
This way, you and your lawyer will know how bad your injuries are, how much money you lost, and what your future holds. After that, you can calculate your case’s value and the minimum settlement you should accept.
What Happens If I File a Spinal Cord Injury Claim After the Time Limit?
In Houston, there are very few exceptions to the time limit rule for filing a spinal cord injury claim. Once this time has passed, you usually can’t make a claim or get compensation. The time limit can be put on hold or “tolled” in a couple of situations, though. This might happen if the person with the spinal cord injury is under 18 or if a crime has occurred.
If you’re not sure how much time you have left to file a spinal cord injury claim, it’s a good idea to talk to a spinal cord injury lawyer in Atlanta as soon as you can. They can make sure that the person at fault is held responsible and that you don’t miss your chance to get the compensation you should have.
Why Do I Need a Houston Spine Injury Lawyer?
Reasons to enlist the services of a Houston Spine Injury Lawyer are plentiful. Given the highly specific nature of such cases, an experienced lawyer can significantly assist in navigating the unique intricacies involved.
Qualities you should look for in a good spine injury lawyer include:
- Familiarity with spinal cord injury cases
- Deep understanding of the law and its nuances
- Skilled negotiation capabilities
- Experience in assessing damages accurately
- Strong track record of success in similar cases
Here at Leeds Law Firm, our attorney embodies all these essential qualities, ensuring that your case is in the best hands. We are fully equipped to help you achieve the best outcome and obtain the compensation you truly deserve.
We invite you to consider reaching out to us. Get in touch now by making a call, submitting a form, using our chat box located on the lower right of our website to schedule a consultation. We are ready and eager to fight for you.
Call Our Houston Spine Injury Lawyer Now!
If you’re dealing with a spinal cord injury, you need someone who understands the complexities of such cases. At Leeds Law Firm, we bring a wealth of knowledge and a strong understanding of the law to each case we handle. Our skills and experience give us a unique advantage in representing clients with spine injuries.
Not only do we specialize in spinal cord injuries, but we also offer services related to:
Our objective is to help you navigate these challenging times. Recognized for our dedicated and professional approach, we work tirelessly to ensure that our clients get the justice they deserve.
Don’t go through this difficult journey alone. Reach out to our Houston Spine Injury Lawyer today. Let us help you build a strong case and secure the compensation you rightly deserve. Your road to recovery begins here. Call now, submit a form on our website, or use the chat box for quick assistance.
