Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur when trauma to the spinal cord or the sensitive surrounding tissue disrupts the signals between your brain and the rest of your body. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may lose some mobility or sensation, or you may experience complete paralysis.
Such injuries can have life-changing effects. If someone else’s negligence caused your SCI, you can file a claim with the help of a catastrophic injury attorney and hold that person financially accountable. Call an experienced Jacksonville spinal cord injury lawyer today and schedule an appointment to learn more.
Examples of Negligence Leading to Accidents
If negligence caused your SCI, this means that someone else’s careless or reckless actions failed to meet the legal standard of care and resulted in your injury. In that case, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Some examples of negligence include:
- Distracted driving, speeding, or driving a car while impaired
- Failing to address hazards in walking areas, such as wet floors or sidewalks
- Medical errors by negligent doctors, surgeons, or other medical care providers
- Violent assaults, such as strangulations or gunshot wounds
- Manufacturing defective products, such as faulty vehicle parts, that could contribute to collisions
- Failing to address dangerous conditions in nursing homes, such as cluttered or unsafe walkways
Car crashes are the leading cause of SCIs. One of our Jacksonville attorneys could investigate the cause of your SCI to identify the liable party and collect the evidence needed to prove fault.
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Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves and nerve fibers that carry signals between your brain and the rest of your body. An injury can disrupt this communication, causing loss of function at the injury site. It can also cause temporary or permanent loss of movement or sensation.
Severe SCIs can affect almost every part of your life. Although there is no cure, advances in medicine and technology mean that many people who have suffered SCIs live full and active lives with the help of adaptive devices and technologies. Our Jacksonville attorneys could help evaluate your losses related to your SCI.
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What Is the Deadline for Seeking Compensation?
State legislation enforces strict deadlines for filing a personal injury claim with the civil court to pursue compensation from the responsible party. Under Florida Statute § 95.11, you must file your case within two years of the incident that caused your injury.
There are limited exceptions to this deadline, such as cases involving children or if you sustained a brain injury. However, it is best to prepare and file your claim as soon as possible to obtain a favorable settlement from the responsible party. Our spinal trauma attorneys in Jacksonville could explain the relevant laws and make sure your case complies with all legal requirements.
Compensation
The amount of compensation you receive depends on the severity of your injuries and how they may affect you in the future. The court also considers the behavior of the person responsible. After establishing fault, the court may award a settlement to cover:
- Medical care and ongoing services
- Assistive devices and equipment
- Medication
- Lost salary, benefits, and earning potential
The civil court also typically awards compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and permanent disability.
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Contact a Jacksonville Attorney To Discuss Your Spinal Trauma Claim
If another person’s negligent actions caused you injury, you have the right to initiate legal action and pursue compensation from that person. Damages can cover both monetary losses—such as lost wages and medical expenses—and non-monetary losses, including pain and suffering.
To protect your rights, it is important to understand the legal process. Contact a compassionate Jacksonville spinal cord injury lawyer at Fasig | Brooks today for help with your claim.
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