A spinal cord injury can be devastating with life-long consequences. Trauma to the neck, back, or spine can cause damage to the nerves and bones that run through the back, causing immense pain or numbness from the chest down, the waist down, or even paralysis. A spinal cord injury can turn your life upside down and leave you severely disabled, and in extreme cases, without the ability to care for yourself independently.
Even a relatively minor spinal cord injury can derail your life. In addition to the pain and disability, victims are left to deal with temporary or permanent loss of work and piles of medical bills. Medical bills for a spine injury tend to add up very quickly, and many victims are left feeling lost and wondering where to turn for help.
Our Boise spinal cord injury lawyers have spent their careers fighting for injury victims in Idaho. We understand that fighting for compensation while recovering from debilitating injuries can be overwhelming – and that’s precisely why you need an experienced legal team you can count on. If you suffered a spinal cord injury due to another person’s negligence or reckless actions, we are ready to help you recover the compensation you need to move forward.
Contact our Boise personal injury lawyers to learn more about fighting for justice and recovering compensation after a spinal cord injury. Call Boise Personal Injury Lawyers Group at (208) 968-9060 for your free initial legal consultation.
How Much Are Spinal Cord Injuries Worth?
Spinal cord injuries are not only painful but also life-changing. A spinal cord injury can change your outlook, lifestyle, and quality of life. Treatment for spinal cord injuries is complicated – requiring medication, surgery, and intense rehabilitation – and costly. It is estimated that the treatment cost for the first year for paraplegia is $518,904 and $68,739 each subsequent year. For high tetraplegia, the estimated cost of treatment for the first year is $1,064,716 and $184,891 each subsequent year.
These numbers demonstrate just how distressing spinal cord injuries are and how they can have severe consequences on an individual’s checkbook. When faced with such expenses, spinal cord victims and their loved ones wonder how much a spinal cord injury claim is worth.
There is no standard value for spinal cord injuries. However, since the resulting implications of the injury are often severe and far-reaching, it is not uncommon for settlements to be high, usually over $1 million – especially when you have an experienced lawyer in your corner.
Your odds of recovering a sizeable settlement in a spinal cord injury case is high; however, the actual recoverable amount will depend on several factors, including the at-fault party’s percentage of negligence, the severity of the injury, and much more.
The experienced Boise spinal cord injury lawyers at Boise Personal Injury Lawyers Group have a deep understanding of spinal cord injuries. We also have the resources and dedication to increase both your chances and the size of compensation for your injuries. Contact us to schedule your free case review.
What Are the Most Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?
The National SCI Statistical Center estimates that approximately over 17,000 new spinal cord injuries occur each year in the U.S., leaving the victims, their families, and their friends to cope with the aftermath of the tragedy.
A spinal cord injury can cause damage to the spine itself or nearby tissues and bones. Depending on the severity, when you or a loved one experiences a spinal cord injury, you may lose mobility or function in different parts of the body.
Doctors classify spinal cord injuries into two primary categories based on the injury’s severity or “completeness.” The two main categories of spinal cord injuries are:
- Complete SCI: These are injuries that cause total loss of function (paralysis) below the location of the injury. Complete SCIs affect both sides of the body.
- Incomplete SCI: A incomplete SCI causes partial damage to the spinal cord, and some function remains on one or both sides of the body.
Additionally, paralysis caused by a spinal cord injury can be categorized into three types. These include:
- Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia: These injuries are the most severe, producing a varying degree of paralysis of the arms, hands, legs, trunk, and pelvic organs.
- Triplegia: Causes a loss of movement or sensation in one arm and both legs.
- Paraplegia: Cause full or partial paralysis to the lower half of the body, including the legs, trunk, and pelvic organs.
Why Is It Recommended to See a Doctor Right Away After a Back Injury?
A spinal cord injury is not the sort of thing you want to ignore. If you’ve sustained an SCI, your life is in danger! Seek immediate medical attention after a back or neck injury. If you experience any trauma to the back or neck, always assume that you suffered a spinal cord injury until proven otherwise.
It’s highly recommended to see a doctor right away after a back injury because:
- Numbness or paralysis can be gradual.
- An injury to the spinal cord is not always immediately apparent. And if it isn’t diagnosed, a more severe and life-altering injury may occur.
- The time between injury and treatment can make a world of difference in determining the extent and severity of complications and the odds of recovery.
Some immediate symptoms of a spinal cord injury to watch out for after an accident include:
- Pressure in the back or extreme pain in your back, neck, or head
- Difficulty with balance and walking
- Weakness, incoordination, or numbness in any part of the body
- Tingling sensation or paralysis in your fingers, hands, toes, or feet
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Impaired or difficulty breathing after an injury
- A twisted or oddly positioned back or neck
What Are Some of the Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?
There are several ways that people can sustain spinal cord injuries. Nearly any type of accident can cause a spinal cord injury, but motor vehicle accidents are by far the leading cause – accounting for 38.6% of all spinal cord injuries since 2015.
At Boise Personal Injury Lawyers Group, we handle all types of spinal cord injury claims and lawsuits, including those involving:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Acts of violence
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Sporting or recreation accidents
- Medical malpractice
Whether your spinal cord injury stems from a motor vehicle accident, a work-related accident, a bad fall, or a criminal attack, our experienced Boise spinal cord injury attorneys are prepared to help.
What Can I Expect to Recover If I Sustained a Spinal Cord Injury in an Accident in Idaho?
Idaho law allows compensatory (economic & non-economic) and punitive damages for spinal cord injury cases. Our Boise personal injury attorneys will fight for the maximum compensation you’re owed, including:
Economic Damages
These are for calculable monetary losses such as:
- Lost wages
- The cost of medical expenses (doctors, pain specialists, physical therapy, transport costs related to treatment, medical devices)
- Reduced earning capacity
- Continuing care
- Home modifications
Non-Economic Damages
These are for losses that have no specific dollar value but negatively impact your life. They include:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Emotional distress such as anxiety, depression, and grief
Punitive Damages
In cases where the spinal cord injury was caused by a defendant who showed willful, malicious, and extreme disregard for others’ safety, the court may award punitive damages.
How Do Spinal Cord Injury Cases Differ From Other Personal Injury Cases?
In other types of accidents, those who sustain injuries can recover and move on with their lives. Spinal cord injuries are different because the sufferer is left dealing with devastating losses even in the best of circumstances. Often, the best they can hope for is re-learning to walk, move, and breathe on their own. Unfortunately, in many cases, not only is the survival rate low but survivors are left dealing with ongoing challenges, including poor muscle tone and respiratory infections.
If a spinal cord injury is involved, the victim’s life must change. Fortunately, spinal cord injury victims can heal and lead extraordinary lives thanks to advancements in regenerative therapy and other spinal cord treatment options. But treating and coping with SCI can be expensive, totaling thousands and even millions of dollars. When these bills hit, turn to our lawyers to fight for the compensation you deserve. Let us set you up or your loved one for a chance at a productive life.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Idaho?
Idaho has adopted a statute of limitations for spinal cord injury cases. According to Idaho State Legislature Section 5-219, spinal cord injury victims have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Don’t wait too long; you could have even less time depending on the specifics of your case.
What If a Spinal Cord Injury Happened at Work?
Spinal cord injury victims face various complex legal issues, especially in cases where the accident happened at work. So, what are your legal options when a spinal cord injury occurs in the workplace? What are the steps to take in a work-related spinal cord injury case? And in such a case, how much can you expect to recover as compensation?
Under Idaho Statute Title 74 – Workers Compensation and Related Laws, employees who sustain spinal cord injuries at work are entitled to receive benefits and financial compensation through their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.
Contact Our Experienced Boise Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers For Help
If you or a loved one is facing a life of living with a spinal cord injury – whether it’s triplegia, paraplegia, or quadriplegia – we understand that this time can be full of worry and uncertainty. Spinal cord injuries cause a devastating blow to sufferers and their loved ones. We know that along with the pain and physical problems, a spinal cord injury brings emotional harm and significant fears.
At Boise Personal Injury Lawyers Group, we know the ins and out of Idaho’s legal system and have experience winning spinal cord injury cases. We are here to put our knowledge and skills to work for you to ensure all the bases of your case are covered and all avenues of recovery are explored. Let us help you rebuild your life! Please call our Boise spinal cord injury lawyers at (208) 968-9060 to schedule a free consultation.
