How Does a Spinal Cord Injury Affect Your Quality of Life?

dA spinal cord injury is potentially one of the most catastrophic injuries imaginable, leading to a lifetime of disability – or even worse. The expenses that can result from this type of injury can be incredibly high, and easily result in financial ruin.

There are many instances where an accident, such as a car wreck or a slip-and-fall incident, can result in spinal cord damage. Oftentimes, that accident is the fault of someone other than the person who suffered the injury. If this applies to you or someone close to you, please get in touch with Jones Law Group as soon as you can.

We have a team of attorneys who will fight to hold accountable those whose negligence led to your suffering. You can give us a call at 727-571-1333 for a free consultation, or you can contact us online.

Spinal Cord Injury Statistics

The number of people who suffer from spinal cord injuries is staggering. It’s estimated that nearly 300,000 people in the United States alone have to live with some degree of spinal cord damage. About 18,000 suffer a spinal cord injury each year. These numbers don’t even take into account the number of people who die due to an injury that causes fatal spinal cord damage.

While vehicle crashes are the leading cause of spinal cord injury, slip-and-fall accidents are also common causes.

The Lifetime Costs of Having a Spinal Cord Injury

As you might imagine, the costs of suffering an injury to the spinal cord can be incredibly high – not only for physical treatment, but the emotional toll as well. There are also other costs to consider, such as accommodations that may need to be made around the home to increase quality of life as much as possible.

Here’s a look at just some of the devastating expenses that spinal cord injury victims often face.

Medical Costs

Many people who incur spinal cord damage have to undergo comprehensive treatment that can last for years – or even decades. Some of them will need treatment for the rest of their lives. It could mean the difference between life and death. These are just a few examples of the medical costs that often arise from a spinal cord injury.

• Medical bills – Treatment for a spinal cord injury can run anywhere from $300,000 to $1 million – in the first year alone. Ongoing treatment can range from about $42,000-$200,000 per year, depending on the severity of the injury.
•  Physical therapy – Physical therapy is often used to help the body cope with the trauma it has suffered. For some people, it can actually help their spinal cord regain some level of function. Therapy also helps reduce the risks of complications, such as blood clots, chronic pain and others. Unfortunately, the cost of physical therapy can often run into the tens of thousands of dollars per month.
• Medical equipment – People with spinal cord damage will often need special equipment to help them get around. If they’re lucky, they may only need crutches. Most of the time, though, they’ll need a wheelchair. In more severe circumstances, spinal cord injury victims may need devices such as a respirator, a colostomy bag, and other types of equipment to keep them as comfortable as possible.

Emotional Costs

Suffering a spinal cord injury isn’t just a physical problem – it can lead to devastating emotional problems as well. Treating these issues comes with a hefty price. Here are just two examples.

• Therapy – Psychotherapy is often needed in order to help people cope with the trauma they’ve experienced. It can help not only victims, but their families as well. Victims can learn how to better manage the symptoms they’re going through, and families can learn how to provide the support their loved ones need. Depending on the number of sessions, the cost for psychotherapy can easily reach into the thousands of dollars each year.
• General emotional change – A spinal cord injury can change a person’s life in an instant, making it almost impossible to adjust mentally without professional help. These are incredibly difficult circumstances, and they can often lead to issues such as depression and anxiety. Like psychotherapy, treatment for these issues can cost thousands and thousands of dollars annually.

Other Associated Costs

The costs associated with a spinal cord injury don’t stop there. Victims will often incur substantial lost wages because they can no longer perform their jobs. They may need extensive home renovations in order to accommodate their condition. Door frames, for instance, may need to be widened to provide wheelchair access. Ramps and lifts may need to be installed in different areas of the home. These accommodations, as you can well imagine, are extremely expensive.

How Much Can You Recover in Damages as a Spinal Cord Injury Victim?

There are a lot of different factors that go into determining the “value” of a claim stemming from an accident that results in a spinal cord injury. These include the severity of the injury, the circumstances surrounding the accident, the amount insurance the responsible party has, and others.

It’s important to realize that no two personal injury cases are exactly alike. When severe injuries are involved, the victims will usually obtain more compensation than those whose injuries aren’t as serious. No reputable attorney will immediately promise that a spinal cord injury victim can expect to receive a certain amount of money. There are too many variables to take into account.

Why You Should Hire an Experienced Catastrophic Injury Attorney

The most important reason to hire an attorney with experience in this area of the law is to obtain the largest amount of compensation possible. In order to do that, you’ll need an attorney who knows how the process works, and knows whether you’ll be able to obtain a fair settlement – or you’ll need to go to court.

Another reason experience is important is that a seasoned attorney will have a vast amount of resources to tap into – resources that a victim simply doesn’t have. This includes a team of investigators who can provide compelling evidence, as well as expert witnesses whose testimony can bolster a case.

Jones Law Group has the experience and resources you need to have the best possible chances of obtaining the compensation you need to cover all the costs associated with a spinal cord injury. Please use our online form or call 727-571-1333 as soon as you can for a free case evaluation.