Spinal Cord Injuries: Fighting For Your Future After A Life-Altering Event
A spinal cord injury can have a devastating and permanent impact on every aspect of a person’s life. These injuries often require extensive medical care, rehabilitation and lifestyle adjustments, leaving victims with significant physical, emotional and financial burdens.
At Meagher & Meagher, P.C., our legal team has been dedicated to representing individuals with spinal cord injuries in White Plains and New York City since 1993. Our experienced personal injury attorneys understand the challenges faced by spinal cord injury victims and their families. We provide compassionate and aggressive legal representation to help our clients secure the compensation and support they need to rebuild their lives.
Understanding The Impact Of Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is a vital part of the central nervous system, responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Damage to the spinal cord can disrupt these signals, leading to a range of impairments, including:
- Paralysis: Loss of motor function, ranging from partial paralysis (paresis) to complete paralysis, affecting different parts of the body depending on the location and severity of the injury.
- Sensory loss: Reduced or complete loss of sensation, including touch, temperature and pain perception.
- Chronic pain: Persistent pain can result from nerve damage, muscle spasms or other complications.
- Loss of bladder and bowel control: Spinal cord injuries often affect the nerves that control bladder and bowel function, leading to incontinence or difficulty with elimination.
- Respiratory problems: Injuries to the upper cervical spine can affect the muscles involved in breathing, requiring ventilator support.
- Secondary complications: Spinal cord injury victims are also at increased risk for pressure sores, infections and other health problems.
The impact of a spinal cord injury extends beyond physical limitations. Victims may face emotional challenges, including depression, anxiety and social isolation. They may also require significant modifications to their homes and vehicles to accommodate their disabilities.
Causes Of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can result from a variety of traumatic events, including:
- Car accidents: High-impact collisions can cause spinal fractures or dislocations, leading to spinal cord damage.
- Truck accidents: The size and weight of commercial trucks increase the risk of severe injuries in accidents.
- Slip-and-fall accidents: Falls from heights or onto hard surfaces can cause spinal cord injuries.
- Workplace accidents: Construction workers, health care professionals and others in physically demanding jobs are at increased risk for spinal cord injuries.
- Sports injuries: High-impact sports like football, hockey and gymnastics can lead to spinal cord injuries.
- Acts of violence: Gunshot wounds or stabbings can cause direct damage to the spinal cord.
In some cases, medical malpractice, such as surgical errors or delayed diagnosis, can also contribute to spinal cord injuries.
Seeking Compensation For Spinal Cord Injuries
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. We can help you pursue damages for:
- Medical expenses: This includes past and future medical costs, such as hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation and medication.
- Lost income: If your injury prevents you from working, you can seek compensation for lost wages and future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: This compensates for the physical pain, emotional distress and diminished quality of life associated with the injury.
- Home and vehicle modifications: You can seek compensation for the costs of adapting your home and vehicle to accommodate your needs.
- Other damages: Depending on the circumstances, you may also be able to recover damages for loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and other losses.
Our attorneys work diligently to build strong cases and negotiate with insurance companies to secure the maximum compensation possible for our clients.
Answers To Common Questions
We understand that navigating the legal system after a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming. Here are answers to some common questions we receive:
What are the leading causes of spinal cord injuries?
Spinal cord injuries are often caused by traumatic events such as car accidents, falls, sports injuries and workplace accidents.
How can a spinal cord injury impact my daily life?
A spinal cord injury can lead to a range of physical limitations, including paralysis, sensory loss and chronic pain. It may also require significant lifestyle adjustments and accommodations.
Are there time limits for filing a spinal cord injury claim in New York?
Yes, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York is generally three years from the date of the injury. However, there may be exceptions, so it’s crucial to consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
Protecting Your Rights After A Spinal Cord Injury
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, we encourage you to contact us. Our spinal cord injury attorneys at Meagher & Meagher, P.C., are dedicated to helping injured individuals and their families obtain the justice and compensation they deserve. Call us at 914-246-2958 or complete our online form to schedule an appointment. We are located in White Plains and serve clients throughout New York.