Spinal injuries can be devastating. Though they vary in degree based on the location and severity of the injury, no spinal cord injury is a small matter. All require extended care to help the injured patient return to good health. Sometimes, however, full recovery is not possible. Expenses can be devastating and can go on for years. Depending on how the injury occurred, you may be eligible for significant financial help.
Spinal injuries can be caused by vehicle accidents, slip and falls, sports collisions, and other impacts. If you sustain a spinal cord injury in a motor vehicle accident in the state of Florida, the first $10,000 of medical expenses should be covered by the PIP (personal injury protection) on your own auto insurance policy even if you were a pedestrian or a bicyclist. Healthcare costs over the first $10,000 can become part of your claim against the negligent party. You may need to hire an attorney who specializes in personal injury law to help you with your claim.
If you’ve recently been involved in a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, or other accident and you have any of the following symptoms, seek medical help immediately to determine if your spine or head have been injured:
- Pain in the neck, back, or head
- Weakness in extremities or difficulty walking
- Trouble breathing
- Numbness or tingling
- Difficulty with coordination or balance
- Loss of control of your bladder or bowel
Expenses associated with spinal injury
Victims of a spinal injury might be hospitalized and often undergo surgery – sometimes multiple surgeries. They may also use a neck brace or device to immobilize the area. Over time, the doctors will be able to evaluate the severity of the injury and create a plan of care on a case-by-case basis.
Depending on the severity of the injuries, the patient might be sent to a rehabilitation facility for either inpatient or outpatient care. The patient may need to engage in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other vocational therapies in order to improve mobility and return to a more normal life. Counseling or psychoanalysis may also be necessary, as many people experience emotional trauma after a spinal injury, with 20-30% experiencing clinical depression.
As time goes on, the patient may decrease the frequency of rehab sessions, but many people will need to continue to have regular doctor appointments and rehab sessions, and often even follow-up surgery as the years go by. Some patients will need a wheelchair or other device, modifications to their home or vehicle such as ramps and lifts, and/or an assisted living facility or regular support personnel. A spouse or other family member may have to stop working or reduce their hours in order to care for the injured loved one.
Secondary complications often accompany spinal injuries. They can include:
- Pressure ulcers (bed sores)
- Muscle spasms
- Urinary tract infections
- Respiratory infections
- Chronic pain
- Blood clots
- Sexual dysfunction
- Loss of muscle tone
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Ongoing mental health issues
- Obesity
Other losses that should be considered for compensation include loss of potential income, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering caused by the injury.
Get the compensation you deserve
As an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in the state of Florida, every case I take on becomes personal to me, as if one of my own friends or loved ones had been injured, and I work vigorously to uncover every possible expense or complication my clients endure to help them get the maximum settlement for their injuries. I’m not afraid to go to court if necessary, and I have a track record of winning significant awards.
Please contact me at (954)448-7288 so I can get started right away to help you get the financial compensation you deserve.