After sustaining a spinal cord injury, you may feel powerless—physically limited, emotionally overwhelmed, and financially vulnerable. Despite these challenges, you possess important legal rights that can help rebuild your life and secure your future. If someone else caused your spinal cord injury, you can pursue a lawsuit or insurance claim against them and recover compensation for your medical care, wage loss, and more.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries and Their Lifetime Impact
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves running from your brain down through your spinal column, controlling movement and sensation throughout your body. A spinal cord injury occurs when trauma damages these nerves, potentially resulting in partial or complete loss of function below the injury site. These injuries can be devastating, with effects ranging from pain and weakness to permanent paralysis.
Common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Slip and falls from heights
- Sports injuries
- Acts of violence
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products or equipment
A spinal cord injury transforms every aspect of your life. Daily activities become challenging or impossible to complete alone. Medical expenses accumulate rapidly with hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitation, and special equipment. Your career may be derailed, resulting in lost income and diminished earning capacity. You may struggle with mental health difficulties as you adapt to your new normal, straining your relationships.
You Have the Right to Damages After an Accident Caused by Negligence
When someone else causes your spinal cord injury, you have the right to take legal action. Negligence occurs when someone fails to exercise reasonable care, creating a risk of harm to others. This might be a distracted driver, a property owner who neglected safety hazards, or a manufacturer who produced defective equipment.
By filing a spinal cord injury lawsuit against the at-fault party, you can recover compensation for every way that the accident has affected your life. Your settlement can cover economic damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and costs for home modifications or assistive devices. You can also recover pain and suffering damages for the physical and emotional impact, such as permanent disability, loss of enjoyment of life, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
How to File a Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Kansas City
When you pursue a spinal cord injury lawsuit, you will enter a structured process:
- First, you will consult with a Kansas City spinal cord injury lawyer who can evaluate your case and explain your legal options.
- Next, your attorney will want to wait until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). This is the point where your condition has stabilized, allowing for accurate assessment of your long-term needs.
- Once you have reached MMI and your attorney has gathered enough evidence, they will submit a demand letter to the responsible party.
- You may enter negotiations with the at-fault party to seek a fair settlement. If negotiations fail, your lawyer will file your lawsuit.
- During the discovery phase, both sides will exchange information and evidence while continuing settlement negotiations.
- If a settlement cannot be reached, your case will proceed to trial where a judge or jury will determine whether you qualify for compensation.
Filing a spinal cord injury lawsuit can be complex, but with a specialized personal injury lawyer in Kansas City on your side, you can navigate the process with confidence. After seeking medical care, contact a Kansas City spinal cord injury attorney today and take the first step toward justice.