When you suffer a spinal cord injury, the world can feel like it’s been turned upside down.
Suddenly, everyday tasks become monumental challenges, and the future you had planned seems to slip away.
Spinal cord injuries can lead to long-term consequences, from mobility issues to chronic pain, and the journey to recovery is often filled with challenges. Yet, with the right medical care and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, many can regain function and improve their quality of life.
The costs, however, can be staggering. Filing a spinal cord injury claim can help you seek the spinal cord injury compensation needed to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and ongoing care.
At Savage, Royall & Sheheen, LLP, our spinal cord injury lawyers understand the struggles you’re facing, and we’re here to help you navigate this complicated process.
Understanding the Impact of a Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury can change your life in ways that are hard to imagine. Depending on the severity, a spinal cord injury can lead to partial or full paralysis, chronic pain, and a host of other long-term complications.
The impact of a spinal cord injury goes beyond just medical treatment. It can affect your ability to work, enjoy time with your family, and experience the quality of life you previously knew. Furthermore, medical bills for spinal cord injury rehabilitation, ongoing therapy, assistive devices, and home modifications, can add up quickly and add financial strain to your every day.
Due to the impact a spinal cord injury has on your life, it’s important to pursue a spinal cord injury claim. You deserve compensation not only for the medical bills but also for the emotional toll and loss of independence that has come with such a traumatic injury.
Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation after a spinal cord injury is more than a series of treatments—it’s a journey toward regaining independence and quality of life. This path is personal and varies widely between people, reflecting the unique challenges each injury presents.
For many, spinal cord injury rehabilitation involves a team approach, incorporating physical therapists, occupational therapists, and counselors to address the physical and emotional aspects of recovery. Each session can be grueling and require immense determination. However, it’s also a time when many find their inner strength and resilience.
Beyond the exercises and medical appointments, rehabilitation is about re-learning and adapting—finding new ways to perform daily tasks, return to hobbies, and explore new interests.
It’s about healing the body and mind and redefining what’s possible after injury.
Determining the Value of a Spinal Cord Injury
Determining the value of a spinal cord injury is perhaps one of the most complex aspects of your claim. Here are some factors that determine the value of your claim:
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Medical Bills
The cost of immediate medical care is just the beginning. Surgeries, hospital stays, medication, and specialized treatments all add up quickly. Then, there are long-term medical expenses like ongoing therapy, assistive devices, or even home modifications.
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Rehabilitation Costs
Rebuilding your life after a spinal cord injury often requires extensive rehabilitation. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and sometimes mental health counseling can be crucial in your recovery.
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Pain and Suffering
The physical and emotional toll of a spinal cord injury is hard to measure. Chronic pain, frustration, depression, and anxiety are common after such a traumatic event. While no amount of money can erase this suffering, compensation for your pain and emotional distress acknowledges what you’ve been through.
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Loss of Income and Future Earning Potential
If your injury prevents you from returning to work or if you can only work in a limited capacity, this affects your financial stability. We calculate both your current loss of income and the impact on your future earning potential.
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Lifestyle Adjustments
You may need to make significant changes to your life after a spinal cord injury. For example, modifying your home for wheelchair access or relying on assistive devices. These adjustments come with their costs, which we make sure are part of your spinal cord injury compensation.
Common Challenges in Spinal Cord Injury Claims
Filing a spinal cord injury claim is rarely straightforward. Insurance companies don’t always make it easy for victims to get the compensation they need.
One common challenge is the tendency for insurers to downplay the seriousness of a spinal cord injury. They may try to minimize your long-term care needs or even argue that your injury isn’t as severe as claimed.
Another hurdle many face is proving fault in the accident that led to the injury. Whether the injury was caused by a car accident, a slip and fall, or a workplace incident, the opposing side may dispute liability, adding unnecessary stress to an already difficult situation.
Lastly, the financial toll of waiting for a settlement can be a burden. Spinal cord injuries often require long-term or even lifelong care, and medical bills don’t wait for your claim to be resolved. The uncertainty of when or if you’ll receive fair spinal cord injury compensation can add further stress to this exhausting time.
Contact an Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
At Savage, Royall & Sheheen, LLP, we understand that dealing with a spinal cord injury is a personal journey that affects your daily life and future. We’re not just about winning cases; we’re about supporting people through difficult times. Your recovery is our priority, and we’ll work hard to ensure you can get the best medical care and rehabilitation possible.
We’re a small-town firm with deep roots in the community, proud to have served individuals, local businesses, and local governments for over 97 years. Our attorneys have held key state government and judicial positions, and many are actively involved in community service as Rotarians.
We know the stakes are high. We prepare to meet the demands of each case, aiming to deliver results that support your recovery and restore your quality of life.
Contact us at 803-432-4391 today to request a consultation.