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Spinal cord injuries can have devastating consequences, including chronic pain, permanent disability, emotional trauma, and financial distress. Whether your spinal cord injury occurred in a car accident on Route 6, in a slip and fall on public property, or a tripping accident at a private residence, you need to understand your legal rights.
Talk to a Bristol spinal cord injury lawyer who can review the circumstances of your injury and fight for fair compensation.
The legal team at Jainchill & Beckert, LLC, has over 55 years of combined experience representing injury victims in Bristol, Plainville, Southington, Hartford County, and communities throughout Connecticut. Our attorneys use their knowledge and experience to help spinal cord injury clients pursue financial compensation and accountability.
We offer compassionate legal guidance, tenacious advocacy, and a support system to those facing life-altering spinal cord injuries. Please contact us today for a no-obligation consultation with an expert Bristol spinal cord injury attorney.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord is the network of nerves that transmit signals from the brain to the rest of the body. These nerves run from the brainstem down through the spine. The vertebrae protect them.
When the spinal cord is damaged, critical functions such as movement, autonomic controls, and sensation can be lost or altered. A catastrophic injury to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis.
What Are the Different Levels of Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal cord injuries generally fall into four categories based on the area of injury. The categories include:
- Cervical spine injuries – Injuries to the cervical spine, which include the seven vertebrae in the neck, are often the most severe. These injuries can result in full or partial paralysis. Victims may require lifelong medical treatment, full-time assistance, and/or ventilator support.
- Thoracic spine injuries – These injuries affect the upper and mid-back, typically impairing chest and abdominal muscles, and sometimes resulting in paralysis. Arm and hand function are normally preserved, but lower body function is frequently affected.
- Lumbar spine injuries – The lumbar region is located in the lower back. Injuries to this area can lead to loss of function in the legs and hips. Depending on the severity of the injury, victims may require leg braces, mobility aids, or wheelchairs.
- Sacral and coccyx injuries – Sacral spine or tailbone injuries can impact bladder and bowel control, sexual function, and lower body mobility.
What Are the Symptoms of a Possible Spinal Cord Injury?
If you’ve been involved in an accident in Bristol, whether it was a car crash on Route 72 or a slip-and-fall while shopping downtown, you may experience the following symptoms if you have a spinal cord injury:
- Loss of sensation or feeling
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Partial or total paralysis of limbs
- Changes in bowel or bladder control
- Intense neck, head, back, or spine pain or pressure.
It’s crucial to seek medical attention after all accidents. Back injuries can worsen over time. A doctor’s examination can diagnose your injuries and establish a medical record that will be important if you need to pursue a spinal cord injury lawsuit.
What Types of Accidents Lead to a Spinal Cord Injury?
All kinds of accidents can cause spinal cord injuries. Some of the most common include the following:
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Workplace injuries
- Sports injuries
- Acts of violence
- Surgical complications.
Spinal cord injuries can be the basis of complex personal injury cases. Our personal injury lawyers will investigate your accident to determine who may be responsible, gather evidence, and consult medical experts to build the strongest case possible.
Can Spinal Cord Injuries Be Treated?
Most spinal cord damage is irreversible, but prompt treatment can prevent further harm. That usually begins with emergency stabilization at the accident scene, followed by surgical intervention to remove debris, stabilize the vertebrae, and prevent nerve compression.
A patient will undergo intensive rehabilitation, including physical therapy to regain strength and adapt to new circumstances, occupational therapy for relearning daily tasks, and vocational training to help them return to the workforce.
How Do You Prove Liability for a Spinal Cord Injury?
Proving liability in any personal injury lawsuit requires a substantial body of evidence. To show the extent and impact of your catastrophic injury, your attorney will seek to gather the following types of evidence after a serious accident:
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- CCTV footage
- Police incident reports
- Medical records
- MRIs, X-rays, and CT scans
- Witness testimony
- Financial documents.
Your Bristol spinal cord injury attorney will need to prove that the at-fault party’s negligence or misconduct caused your injuries and present evidence of the physical, emotional, and financial impacts of those injuries. Documenting everything you can, keeping all relevant paperwork, and contacting an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible is essential.
What Types of Compensation Could I Receive in a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?
Compensation in a personal injury lawsuit is intended to account for both the financial losses and the physical and emotional harm caused by the injury. The types of compensation sought in most personal injury claims include the following:
- Medical expenses – The at-fault party may be held financially responsible for medical costs such as ambulance rides, ER visits, doctor’s appointments, surgeries, prescription medications, medical devices, rehabilitation, and future medical costs related to your injuries.
- Lost wages – If your injuries temporarily prevent you from earning a living or permanently diminish your earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for your income losses. That includes hourly wages or salary, commissions and tips, missed raises or promotions, benefits, and future lost wages.
- Pain and suffering – You also may seek compensation for physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional pain you’ve endured as a result of your injuries. These are known as non-economic damages.
Is There a Statute of Limitations for Filing a Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
In Connecticut, the law provides a three-year window from the accident causing an injury to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If an accident victim files an injury lawsuit after the filing deadline has passed, the court will likely dismiss the case.
Our attorneys are experienced in dealing with insurance companies and have a proven track record of securing favorable settlements and court awards. We can resolve most personal injury cases without the need for a trial.
Contact a Bristol, CT, Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury to your spine due to someone else’s negligence, the experienced Bristol, CT, spinal cord injury lawyers at Jainchill & Beckert, LLC can help. We’ll advocate aggressively for a fair settlement while you focus on your recovery. Our law firm handles spinal cord injury cases on a contingency fee basis. We do not charge a legal fee unless we recover compensation for you. Contact our personal injury law firm today for your free consultation.
