Spinal cord injuries vary in severity but are always life-changing events. These injuries most often occur as the result of accidents, and when someone else’s carelessness or recklessness contributes to an accident, an injured person could seek compensation for their losses.
Establishing liability for a spinal cord injury requires the help of a seasoned catastrophic injury attorney. Our Tempe spinal cord injury lawyers have many years of experience representing local people who have experienced serious harm. You can rely on us to negotiate an acceptable settlement that provides you the resources to move forward or present a compelling case in court if the responsible party is not cooperative. Reach out to the Phillips Law Group today to begin reviewing the details of your situation with a dedicated advocate.
Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is the sheath of nerves located within the vertebrae that manages communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Damage to the spinal cord disrupts the body’s ability to effectively carry signals, and the injured person loses sensation and muscle control below the injury site.
A spinal cord injury could be complete or incomplete. An incomplete injury means some nerves remain undamaged, some sensation and control remain, and the prospects for regaining at least limited function are often good with modern treatments. A complete spinal cord injury means all the nerves have been damaged, and the person will likely suffer permanent paralysis.
Paralysis often leads to other health complications. People with spinal cord injuries are susceptible to:
- Spasticity
- Chronic pain
- Pressure sores
- Sexual dysfunction
- Respiratory ailments
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Difficulty controlling blood pressure
People living with spinal cord injuries are also more likely than others to suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. A Tempe attorney could get to know an injured person and their family to understand the specific impacts the injury has on them and ensure compensation is adequate to address their losses.
Identifying the Parties Responsible for a Spinal Cord Injury
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke lists the leading causes of spinal cord injuries as falls, motor vehicle accidents, violence, and sports injuries. Negligent, reckless, or intentional misconduct underlies each of these causes, and an injured person could hold the responsible party accountable by filing a lawsuit. When an injury is severe, asserting a claim against multiple potentially responsible parties is often appropriate.
Our Tempe attorneys could investigate the circumstances surrounding a spinal cord injury and identify indicators of negligence. If the injury resulted from a car crash, liability could fall on other involved drivers, the vehicle manufacturer, and the town where the accident occurred. If the injury resulted from a fall, a property owner could be liable for failing to keep the premises safe for visitors.
A legal professional could also scrutinize the medical care the injured person received. If the healthcare providers who administered the initial treatment did not meet the appropriate standard of care, they might be liable under medical malpractice law.
Seek Legal Representation for a Spinal Injury Promptly
When someone suffers a spinal cord injury, and another person or business may be responsible, the insurance company for the potentially liable party often takes proactive measures. Insurers might offer an injured person or their family a cash settlement within days of the incident. It is critical that a family in this situation ignore the offer and engage a Tempe spinal cord injury attorney to provide legal counsel immediately.
Insurers could use any statements the injured person or family makes to reduce the value of their claim, so allowing an attorney to handle communication is critical. Doing so preserves the injured person’s rights and allows them time and space to heal without external pressures.
Additionally, a legal professional could arrange a medical lien with the hospital and other healthcare providers, alleviating a family’s worry about medical expenses. Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-937 allows healthcare providers, patients, and their attorneys to compromise the amount the patient must pay for treatment based in part on the amount they receive in settlement of their injury claim.
Contact a Tempe Attorney After a Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury could cause devastating consequences and substantially alter your lifestyle. The parties whose conduct led to the injury must be accountable for their actions.
A Tempe spinal cord injury lawyer from our firm could use the skills acquired over years of representing people like you to ensure you receive an adequate settlement. If the responsible parties do not make a reasonable offer, we are always willing to press your case in court. Call today.
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