South Carolina law protects victims of personal injuries from the financial woes that can follow a severe accident.
Spinal cord injuries are among the most dangerous and debilitating injuries victims can suffer. At Savage, Royall & Sheheen, LLP, our spinal cord injury lawyers in Camden, SC, understand the physical, emotional and financial devastation that can follow a severe injury and will guide you through the legal steps to compensation.
Should You Hire Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers in Camden, SC?
Spinal cord injury lawyers are a necessary resource when filing a personal injury claim. They have specialized personal injury law knowledge, focusing on the unique challenges and intricacies of spinal cord injuries. This insight is essential for building a claim requesting all the available damages in your case. Ongoing care and rehabilitation are often necessary for spinal cord injuries, and hiring a legal representative ensures you demand adequate compensation to recover all losses.
When you hire our firm to represent you, we handle everything from administrative duties, such as filing your claim or lawsuit, to building and arguing a case in trial. Our goal is to reach a fast and fair settlement outside the courtroom. To do that, we investigate your case, gather evidence to support your claims and damages, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. You can focus on healing and health while we protect your rights and best interests.
We are also dedicated advocates for our clients. We provide personalized attention, understanding your unique circumstances and needs. You gain an ally when you hire our firm’s spinal cord injury lawyers in Camden, SC.
What Are the Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal cord injuries can occur in many situations. Under the circumstances of a personal injury claim, the common causes typically result from someone else’s negligence. Examples of incidents that can lead to spinal cord injuries and compensation claims include:
- Motor vehicle accidents: The leading cause of spinal cord injuries is auto accidents. Car, motorcycle and truck collisions frequently result in severe impacts that can damage the spine, even with safety measures like seat belts and airbags, and the law holds the at-fault driver liable.
- Falls: Falls, particularly in older adults or from significantly high heights, can cause spinal cord injuries. However, even falling from a standing position can result in an SCI, especially in individuals with weaker bone structures or pre-existing conditions.
- Workplace accidents: Spinal cord injuries are prevalent in industries like construction, manufacturing or warehousing, where workers may fall from higher heights, be struck by heavy machinery or suffer injuries due to unsafe working conditions. In these cases, a workers’ comp claim can be filed with your employer, or a third party could be found liable in a lawsuit.
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents: Pedestrians or cyclists struck by vehicles can suffer severe spinal injuries due to the force behind the impact. Distracted driving is a common cause.
- Medical malpractice: Surgical errors, incorrect spinal injections or mismanagement during childbirth can cause spinal cord damage. In these cases, the healthcare providers or facility could be liable.
Our spinal cord injury lawyers in Camden, SC, look for a cause to determine who is at fault for your injuries and hold them financially accountable. The type of spinal cord injury will directly impact the medical care needed and the extent of damages.
What Are the Types of Injuries to the Spinal Cord?
The types of spinal cord injuries vary significantly, depending on the location and severity of the injury. Four categories encompass different levels of severity:
- Cervical spinal cord injuries: This type occurs in the neck region and involves the first seven vertebrae. This region controls breathing, speech and movement in the arms and hands. These injuries are often the most severe due to the location and can result in quadriplegia, as well as loss of function in the torso and respiratory muscles.
- Thoracic spinal cord injuries: These injuries affect the upper and mid-back region, comprising the next 12 vertebrae. Thoracic injuries primarily affect the chest and abdominal muscles, sometimes leading to paraplegia and impacting mobility and balance.
- Lumbar spinal cord injuries: Located in the lower back, this region includes five vertebrae. Injuries here can also result in paraplegia, affecting the hips and legs. However, it does not typically impact the upper body.
- Sacral spinal cord injuries: These occur in the pelvis region, involving five bones fused. Injuries here are often less severe, but patients can still experience bladder and bowel control dysfunction.
Complete spinal injuries result in full damage and total loss of function below the injury location. Incomplete injuries retain some function below the injury point. Our skilled injury lawyers in Camden can help you understand how these injuries impact damages and ensure you receive adequate compensation to cover them.
Health problems associated with spinal cord injuries
SCIs lead to various health complications, such as mobility issues, which are common with high spinal injuries.
Respiratory complications can necessitate ventilatory support, especially in cervical SCIs. Reduced mobility heightens the risk of pressure sores, and cardiovascular issues, including low blood pressure and autonomic dysreflexia, become more prevalent.
SCIs can also cause muscle spasms, chronic neuropathic pain and mental health challenges. Depression and anxiety are common after spinal cord injuries, and when those injuries result from a tragic accident, post-traumatic stress can occur as well. Furthermore, affected individuals may experience decreased bone density, muscle atrophy, altered sensory functions and difficulty regulating body temperature.
Compensating Injuries to the Spine
SCIs incur substantial expenses, both immediate and long-term. Initially, medical costs include emergency care, surgery, hospitalization and rehabilitation. Long-term expenses involve ongoing medical treatments, physical therapy and specialized equipment like wheelchairs and home modifications for accessibility.
SCI patients often require assistive technologies and personal care assistance, adding to the financial burden. Loss of income, both from the injured individual and potentially family caregivers, further compounds the economic impact.
Additionally, there are often unseen costs associated with lifestyle changes and long-term health management, including treatment for secondary conditions like pressure sores or respiratory infections.
These expenses can be overwhelming. However, our legal team knows where to look for recoverable damages and will ensure your demands include every current and future expense related to your accident and injuries.
Reach Out to Our Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers in Camden, SC
If you suffered a spinal cord injury in an incident caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongful act, the legal team at Savage, Royall & Sheheen, LLP, is here to help. With generations of experience helping victims of personal injury and their families, we can build a solid case for compensation and ensure you have everything you need to rebuild and adapt after a devastating injury. Contact us today to schedule your case evaluation with our spinal cord injury lawyers.