Spinal Cord Injuries Attorney Serving the Houston Area
When an injury impacts your spinal cord, you may face lifelong mobility issues as a result. You may also require lifelong medical care. Unfortunately, getting the support you need to manage the personal and financial cost of these injuries can be challenging without legal guidance.
Holladay Law offers legal guidance and support based on over two decades of experience to injured people in the greater Houston area. Founding attorney R. J. Holladay understands how insurance companies will approach your claim, and he is prepared to fight to get you the compensation you need after a spinal cord injury.
Spinal Cord Injuries Can Take Many Forms
Spinal cord injuries can vary in type and severity. A complete spinal cord injury is severe, resulting in a total loss of feeling and voluntary movement below the injury. With incomplete injuries, on the other hand, injured people may still have some sensation or movement below the injury. However, both may be limited.
The location of the injury also has a significant impact on the impact of an injury. Injuries to the neck (also called the cervical region) are the most severe and can affect the arms, legs and trunk, potentially leading to quadriplegia or tetraplegia. Injuries that occur in the upper and middle back, or the thoracic region, may spare the arms and hands but impact the trunk and legs. Injuries to the lower back, known as the lumbar region, can lead to decreased function in the hips and legs. Sacral injuries, which occur in the lowest part of the spine, may avoid limiting feeling and movement in much of the body but can still impact the hips, thighs, lower legs and pelvic organs, often impacting bowel and bladder control as well as sexual function.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur for a variety of reasons. Some prevalent causes include:
- Car accidents: Car accidents often lead to spinal cord injuries because of the strong impact forces involved. The sudden jolt in a crash can crush, break or shift the spinal bones, causing serious and sometimes lasting harm.
- Truck accidents: Truck accidents can cause severe damage due to the large size and heavy weight of commercial trucks. These crashes can easily smash smaller vehicles, raising the risk of serious spinal cord injuries for people involved.
- Motorcycle accidents: Motorcyclists face high risks of spinal cord injuries because they have less protection than people in cars. Without a car’s structure to shield them, motorcyclists are more likely to get hurt from direct hits or being thrown off their bikes.
- Pedestrian accidents: When vehicles hit pedestrians, the impact can cause serious injuries, including to the spinal cord. Without protection, pedestrians can fall and hurt their spines when they hit the ground or vehicle.
- Unsafe property conditions: Slipping or tripping on unsafe surfaces, like wet floors or uneven ground, can cause falls that injure the spine. Property owners must keep their places safe to prevent accidents that could seriously harm people.
- Defective products: Malfunctioning products, especially safety gear or vehicles, can be very dangerous. If safety equipment fails, people face serious risks, like spinal cord injuries from impacts that the product should have prevented.
- Physical attacks: Acts of violence, such as gunshots or assaults, can injure the spinal cord by damaging the spinal column or cutting the cord. Violence can lead to life-changing injuries, needing lots of medical care and recovery.
After any of these incidents, it is essential to seek prompt medical attention. This can minimize the damage you suffer and improve the outcome of treatment.
What Damages Can You Claim for a Spinal Cord Injury?
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in Texas, understanding the types of damages you can claim is crucial for securing the compensation necessary for recovery and support. Some types of damages you can claim in a personal injury lawsuit include:
- Medical expenses: You can ask for compensation for all medical costs related to your injury, like hospital bills, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation and ongoing care. These expenses can add up quickly, and getting reimbursed helps ease the financial burden on you and your family as you focus on recovery.
- Lost wages: Spinal cord injuries often prevent people from working, leading to lost income. You can claim compensation for wages lost during your recovery and any future lost earning capacity if the injury affects your ability to work long-term, helping to keep your finances stable.
- Pain and suffering: Injuries to your spine can cause serious emotional and physical pain. Compensation for pain and suffering aims to address these challenges, recognizing how the injury affects your quality of life and providing financial relief for your suffering.
- Loss of consortium: Spinal cord injuries can impact your relationships, especially with your spouse. You may qualify for damages related to loss of companionship and affection, acknowledging the strain the injury puts on your personal relationships and offering support for this emotional hardship.
- Property damage: If an accident like a car crash caused the injury, you can claim damages for any property that was damaged in the incident. Compensation for property damage helps cover repair or replacement costs, reducing the financial impact of the accident on your belongings.
- Disability and disfigurement: You can claim damages for any permanent disability or disfigurement resulting from the injury. These damages recognize the long-term effects on your physical appearance and abilities, providing financial support for adapting to new challenges.
- Emotional distress: You may get compensation for the psychological impact of an injury, including anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These damages aim to support your mental health as part of your overall recovery, recognizing the mental and emotional toll of a spinal cord injury.
Being aware of these potential damages can empower you to seek the compensation necessary to support your recovery and adapt to life after a spinal cord injury.
Contact an Experienced Attorney in the Greater Houston Area Today
If you or a loved one suffer a spinal cord injury, it is important to act promptly so you can get the financial support you need. The path to compensation often begins with a call to an attorney who can help you explore your options, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and fight for you in court.
To learn more, reach out to Holladay Law by calling 281-984-3948 or using the online contact form. The firm offers free consultations either in person or virtually where you can discuss your case directly with a lawyer.