Spinal cord injuries are one of the most severe injuries someone can suffer. It is estimated that approximately 17,000 people will suffer a spinal cord injury each year. As it stands, statistics show that there are approximately 300,000 people in the United States living with a spinal cord injury. While that may seem like a relatively low number when compared to how many people are living in the United States, these injuries should be far from taken lightly. Learn more about how spinal cord injuries are sustained, who can be held responsible and how long you have to file a claim below.
What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord is an integral part of a person’s central nervous system. Your spinal cord sends messages between your brain and the rest of your body. The spinal cord is also largely responsible for carrying out your body’s reflexes. Because your spinal cord plays such an important role in your body’s ability to carry out tasks, an injury to it is often life-changing.
Most commonly, a spinal cord injury can result in the following:
- Paralysis on the lower part of your body (paraplegic)
- Paralysis in all four limbs (quadriplegic)
- Limited function or no control in using one’s hands, arms or wrists
- Difficulty controlling their bowels or bladder
In severe cases of quadriplegia, individuals might have to spend the rest of their life on a ventilator due to not being able to breathe on their own.
While spinal cord injuries can be sustained through a variety of ways not limited to slips and falls, motor vehicle accidents, recreational activities, defective products, surgical errors and through acts of violence, moving forward with a personal injury claim to recover compensation has to be based upon several factors such as how your injury was sustained.
Assumption of Risk and Other Factors
In many cases, the defendant will try to argue that the plaintiff was engaged in a dangerous act, which resulted in their spinal cord injury. This is known as “assumption of the risk” and is often used to try and undermine the plaintiff’s request for compensation. Other times, defendants may try to argue that the plaintiff’s spinal cord injury was the result of their own negligence and carelessness. This is known as contributory negligence.
Typically speaking, the more severe of an impact the spinal cord injury has had on a person’s life, the more that will be taken into consideration with a jury. When you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, it’s important to have an experienced personal injury attorney by your side who will advocate for your rights.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Spinal Cord Injury Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain a spinal cord injury in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive Pembroke Pines FL Accident Attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphey represent clients who have suffered a spinal cord injury in Broward, Dade, Palm Beach Counties, and throughout Florida. Call 954-525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 as well as offices in Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Pompano Beach and Plantation.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.