Florida Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys
The spinal cord contains nerves that control movement and sensation throughout the body. Injuries to the spinal cord can leave victims with reduced sensation in the limbs, breathing difficulties, inability to walk, or difficulty controlling their limbs. Very severe spinal cord injuries are often fatal.
Getting the right legal help after a spinal cord injury can make all the difference in the compensation you receive for your injuries. Meldon Law has fought for hundreds of victims of catastrophic accidents. Our Florida spinal cord attorneys understand the great responsibility our clients place in our hands when they choose us to represent them in a personal injury lawsuit. We know what you deserve for your claim, and we will go to battle with defendants and insurers to help you get it.
Spinal cord injuries explained
The physical consequences and severity of spinal cord injuries are often dictated by where on the spine the injury occurred. The higher up on the spine the injury occurs, the more severe the injury tends to be. Any paralysis that results from spinal cord damage will generally occur only beneath the level of injury. For example, if an accident victim suffers damage to their L1 vertebrae, which is in the lower back, they are unlikely to have as extensive physical limitations as someone whose C4 vertebra is damaged. The C4 is located in the cervical spine, which is near the top of the spine.
Not all spinal cord injuries cause paralysis. The spine may incur bruises, compressed or herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or lacerations. Even a relatively minor rear-end crash can cause spinal damage that can become a nagging lifelong injury for victims.
Spinal cord injuries can be complete or incomplete.
- A complete spinal cord injury describes an injury that has eliminated all sensation and motor control for the body below the site of the injury. This is the most serious form of spinal cord injury, and the one most likely to result in paralysis, quadriplegia, or other serious health issues such as respiratory issues, problems with the digestive system or bladder, and a greater likelihood of infection.
- Incomplete spinal cord injuries allow the accident victim some sensation and motor movement below the injury site. Victims of incomplete spinal cord injuries have a much greater likelihood of recovery from their injury since there is still some connection between the sections of the spine above and below the injury. This sort of rehabilitation can be costly, however, making it urgent that spinal cord injury victims receive as much as possible through a personal injury claim after their accident.
What are the symptoms of a spinal cord injury?
Victims of a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury can experience a variety of symptoms and physical consequences from spinal cord damage. These can include:
- Paralysis, or a loss of movement of a limb
- Paraplegia, or a loss of movement in the lower body
- Quadriplegia, or a loss of sensation and motor control in all four limbs
- Hemiplegia, or a loss of movement on one side of the body
- Numbness or weakness in the limbs
- Tingling sensations in the limbs
- A loss of sensation, strength or mobility
- Pain due to a herniated disc pressing against the nerves of the spinal cord
- Periodic spasmodic movement of a limb that the victim cannot control
- Inability to control the bladder or bowels
- Bedsores
- Proneness to infection
- Sexual dysfunction
- Muscle spasms
How do spinal cord injuries happen?
The leading causes of spinal cord injuries include:
- Traffic accidents: Accidents involving vehicles such as large cars or trucks are the cause of almost 40% of all spinal cord injuries. These include injuries suffered by pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and bus passengers.
- Medical malpractice: Errors committed by medical professionals, such as surgical mistakes or misdiagnosis, account for roughly 5% of all spinal cord injuries.
- Slip-and-fall accidents: Falls cause roughly one-third of all spinal cord injuries. Falls that are the result of dangerous premises, such as broken stairs or slippery floors, may result in liability for the owner of the dangerous property.
- Recreational sports and activities: Injuries suffered during sports or while participating in other forms of recreation, including ATV accidents, boating accidents, or jet ski accidents, account for just under 10% of all spinal cord injuries.
What forms of damages can I seek for a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Florida courts?
A personal injury lawsuit can provide a crucial source of funds after a serious accident that causes a spinal cord injury. Many accident victims rely on these funds to afford a lifetime of care and treatment that can result from spinal cord injuries. Victims of spinal cord injuries may be eligible for:
- Lost past and future wages
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- In-home care expenses
- Medical device costs
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- In rare cases, punitive damages
Get Dedicated Legal Help From A Florida Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Talk to the compassionate and committed personal injury attorneys at Meldon Law to learn more about how a personal injury claim can help you and your family meet your needs after a spinal cord injury accident in Florida.
