Why It Is Important to Hire an Experienced Lawyer In Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Accidents that result in spinal cord injury can impact the victim for the rest of their life. It is for this reason that it is important to seek the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer to help recover damages that will properly cover the many expenses that such injuries will incur.

It is also important to remember that such serious injuries to the spine will likely reduce, if not entirely eliminate, a victim’s ability to earn an income. Potential damages in spinal cord injury cases often exceed $1 million, an amount that reflects the long-term expenses and lost income.

The actual amount of damages recovered will depend on the severity of the injuries, but it also depends on the experience of the personal injury lawyer handling the case and how familiar they are with such cases. In most of these personal injury claims, the insurance company of the individual responsible for the accident that led to the injury is the party that is sued. In those cases, there is a greater likelihood that any damages awarded in the case are actually paid.

An experienced and reputable personal injury lawyer who handles such cases does not typically charge the client upfront. Instead, they will work on a contingency basis, essentially agreeing to take a portion of the settlement to cover their expenses and fees. The amount of damages awarded in such cases that typically goes to lawyers pursuing them can range from 30% to 40% of the total amount. In these cases, the lawyer advances all of the expenses to pay for experts and other costs of investigating and building the case. But in these cases, which can cost more than $100,000 to pursue, the lawyer will probably only take this case on if they believe there is an excellent chance to win.

Hire a personal injury lawyer with experience in spinal cord injury cases

Because the cost of pursuing such cases can be expensive and the cost of long-term care after an injury is so high, it is important that you hire a lawyer who has experience in these cases. Your lawyer should understand all of the difficulties that a victim of a spinal cord injury accident faces.

An experienced personal injury lawyer who has a proven track record in such cases will be more capable when it comes to estimating damages needed to cover such expenses and losses. They also should have trial experience in such cases and know how to explain to a jury the uniquely expensive consequences of living with such injuries.

What types of damages are considered in spinal cord injury cases?

An experienced personal injury lawyer who specializes in spinal cord injury cases knows how important a large settlement is in such claims. The damages awarded must be able to cover past medical expenses from the accident, rehabilitation services, long-term caregivers, various medical treatments required in the future, and other expenses. Other damages include:

  • Loss of Earning Capacity:This loss is determined by a vocational expert, who must testify to the amount of your expected lifetime earnings that you will lose because of your injury.
  • Life Care Costs:These expenses cover various degrees of care that victims may require throughout their life as a result of the injury, such as a part-time housekeeper or a full-time attendant.
  • Pain and Suffering/Loss of Enjoyment of Life: These damages offer compensation for any pain and suffering, and the loss of enjoyment of life due to the accident.