The spinal cord comprises a column of nerve tissue running from the skull down the center of the back. It is among the most vital organs in the human body and sends messages between the brain and other body parts, including the limbs, and back to the brain for movement and functions. When the organ sustains trauma, such as a sudden blow or cut, it can cause permanent loss of function, strength, and sensations to the body below the site the injury occurred.
When a person’s carelessness caused you to suffer this type of catastrophic injury, you could be eligible for an award for damages. Schedule a meeting with a Tavares spinal cord injury lawyer to learn more.
Common Spinal Cord Injury Causes
Spinal cord injuries can happen in any accident that causes a sudden jolt or blow to the back or lower neck. Some of the most typical spinal cord injury causes include the following:
While there is no cure for spinal cord injuries, medicine continues to advance. Timely and quality medical care and ongoing treatment can significantly improve the damage. A lawyer in Tavares could fight for compensation after an accident causes a spinal cord injury.
Compensation for Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuits
After proving the defendant’s negligent actions caused the accident, the court may award compensation to cover the following damages:
- Past, current, and future healthcare expenses
- Lost salary, benefits, and future earning potential
- Pain and suffering and emotional anguish
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
The plaintiff will receive no specific settlement amount in spinal cord damage cases. However, care costs and other expenses are usually high, and the compensation can be significant. A spinal cord injury attorney in Tavares could help collect evidence to prove fault and the total cost of damages and losses.
State Comparative Fault Statute
It is common for the court to find the defendant is not the only at-fault party. They may determine a third party is partly liable or the plaintiff shares a portion of the responsibility. According to Florida Statutes § 768.81, the state follows the pure comparative negligence rule, and when the petitioner is partly at-fault, they will diminish the total award amount by that percentage.
That means that if the court finds the plaintiff is 10 percent liable and the total award is $150,000, they will subtract $15,000 from the total settlement amount. That would entitle them to collect $135,000 in damages. A spinal cord injury lawyer in Tavares could answer questions about the statutes and ensure a plaintiff receives the compensation they deserve.
Schedule to Meet a Skilled Tavares Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Many spinal cord injuries are preventable and have long-lasting or permanent consequences on the injured party’s life and future. There is no cure, but medicine and treatments are constantly advancing. Receiving immediate and ongoing high-quality healthcare can improve your quality of life substantially.
The treatment is costly, and a debilitating injury can keep you from working. A civil action could allow you to get the care you need and hold the negligent party accountable. Call a hard-working Tavares spinal cord injury lawyer to schedule a consultation and begin preparing your claim.
