Spinal cord injuries can be life-changing, presenting new challenges to your once-normal lifestyle. They are rarely expected but are unfortunately common. These injuries can happen in car accidents, medical errors, violent criminal acts, workplace injuries, or even slip and falls. Such injuries can cause paralysis, numbness, loss of bladder control, or throbbing pain.
While dealing with the serious emotions of a spinal cord injury, the last thing you want to deal with is an unsympathetic insurance company. A compassionate team of legal professionals can support you during this difficult time. Importantly, an Inverness spinal cord injury lawyer can help you get the financial compensation you deserve because they will know the ins and outs of the local legal system.
How to Prove Someone Else Caused a Spinal Cord Injury
To be successful in a spinal cord injury claim, the plaintiff must prove certain criteria. One of the first steps is to figure out who is negligent. In many spinal injury claims, more than one person is responsible for the plaintiff’s damages—for example, a negligent driver and parts manufacturer in the case of a car wreck. The number of parties can make a claim more complicated but also mean more compensation overall.
The plaintiff must prove the following four elements in a spinal cord injury claim:
- First, the plaintiff must show that the defendant had a duty not to cause harm to others
- Second, the plaintiff must show that the defendant violated the duty of care
- Third, the plaintiff must prove a connection between the negligent action or inaction and their injury
- Fourth, the plaintiff must show the damages that occurred as a result of the negligence
With the help of a diligent spinal injury attorney in Inverness, the plaintiff can collect the evidence needed to prove these elements in a lawsuit.
Recoverable Damages
Another important step is to show the value of the claim. Spinal cord injuries are life-altering events, often requiring significant medical care. These costs can quickly add up, especially in cases where a spine injury leads to paralysis. Tangible financial losses, like lost wages or medical bills, are typically easy to prove; however, determining the amount of compensation for less tangible damages, like emotional pain and suffering, are more difficult to prove and require a thorough investigation by a legal representative.
Hiring an Attorney After a Serious Spinal Cord Injury
Many people assume that they can handle their own legal cases. Hiring a skilled legal professional provides many advantages and protections that handling a claim alone could not. A hardworking lawyer in Inverness could conduct a full investigation into a spinal cord damage case and collect evidence on the plaintiff’s behalf, such as interviewing witnesses who saw the incident occur, gathering police reports, or reviewing legal precedents to establish liability.
Many difficult emotions like depression or hopelessness can arise after experiencing a spinal cord injury. While the victim focuses on healing, a lawyer can assess the full extent of the damages they deserve. Spinal cord injuries affect not only the injured person’s mental and physical health but also their finances. A good attorney will ensure that insurance companies do not lowball the injured person and obtain a fair settlement.
Get in Touch With a Capable Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in the Inverness Area
Spinal cord injuries are scary and overwhelming to deal with. A skilled attorney can help you recover substantial damages after you have experienced spinal cord damage. When you have questions about your case, call an Inverness spinal cord injury lawyer to schedule a consultation.
