Spine and back injuries can have lasting effects for a lifetime. Chronic pain associated with a back injury can make everyday tasks difficult, and the medical bills associated with ongoing treatment can put a financial burden on your life. If you have suffered a spine or back injury through the negligence or fault of another person, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Although money cannot undo the physical harm you have suffered, it can relieve some of the stress of lost wages, medical bills, and other financial obligations. The law office of Aronberg, Kouser, Snyder & Lindemann, P.A. represents clients who have suffered these types of injuries, and we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Our Firm?
- The Cherry Hill personal injury lawyers at Aronberg, Kouser, Snyder & Lindemann, P.A. have helped thousands of injury victims throughout our more than 40 years in practice.
- We take the time to get to know each and every client so that we can tailor our services to give you the best representation possible.
- While we are able to negotiate settlements on many cases, we prepare each case in anticipation of trial, we are never afraid to go to court and fight for you, and the insurance companies know this. This strategy allows us to get you the most compensation for your claim.
Contact our office today at (856) 429-1700 to put our experience to work for you.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries often occur after a traumatic force to the spine. Common causes of these injuries may include:
- Car accidents: Every day, people are injured in car accidents due to the negligence of other drivers. Since their back bears the brunt of the force, spinal cord injuries commonly manifest.
- Motorcycle accidents: Motorcyclists can be ejected from their bike or be hit directly with the force of another vehicle weighing thousands of pounds. These forces can lead to severe spinal cord injuries.
- Slips and falls: People may slip and fall while visiting others’ property due to dangerous conditions, such as broken pavement, snow and icy conditions, slippery surfaces, broken steps, or missing handrails.
- Workplace accidents: Workplace accidents are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries. These accidents may include slips and falls, falls from heights, being struck by an object, motor vehicle accidents, or overexertion.
- Sports injuries: Sports participants may be injured while playing football, boxing, soccer, or other contact sports.
- Medical malpractice: Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider deviates from the standard of care and injures their patient as a result. Various medical mistakes can lead to spinal cord injuries, including failure to diagnose a medical condition, surgical errors, delaying a medical diagnosis, or anesthesia errors.
- Assault: Some spinal cord injuries are due to the intentional and criminal actions of other parties.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are divided into two general groups: complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries. Complete spinal cord injuries are those that involve permanent damage to the affected area. Generally, the victim does not have function or feeling below the site of the injury. Incomplete spinal cord injuries mean that there is partial damage to the spinal cord. The victim may have some function or feeling below the injury site.
Spinal cord injuries are further categorized based on the specific location of the injury, as follows:
- Cervical region (C1-C8): This is the uppermost area of the spine, which helps transmit messages between the brain and spinal cord.
- Thoracic region (T1-T12): Thoracic spinal cord injuries occur in the chest.
- Lumbar region (L1-L5): Lumbar spinal cord injuries occur in the lower back and can result in paralysis in the legs and feet.
- Sacral region (S1-S5): Sacral spinal cord injuries occur in the pelvis and can result in paralysis to the legs, feet, and bladder and bowel function.
- Coccygeal region: This is the tailbone.
Generally, the higher the injury site, the more severe it is.
Types Of Damages In Spinal Cord Injury Cases
You might be wondering what types of damages you can recover in your spine or back injury case. These “damages” are usually in the form of monetary compensation to cover expenses and other things you suffered as a result of your injury. Some of the more obvious damages include the following:
- Medical bills
- Hospital treatment costs
- Physical therapy bills
- Lost wages
- Future lost wages if you are unable to work
In addition to the monetary items above, you might also be compensated for non-monetary damages. These types of damages can include pain and suffering, anxiety after the accident, depression, and any other things that negatively affect your lifestyle and were directly caused by the accident. Since spine cord injuries can often be devastating, the damages associated with them can add up quickly.
How to Prove Fault in a Cherry Hill Spinal Cord Injury Case
Most personal injury cases are based on the legal theory of negligence. This requires showing the following by proof by the preponderance of the evidence:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care not to injure you.
- The defendant breached their duty of care through their actions or inaction.
- The defendant’s breach of duty caused the accident.
- You suffered damages as a result of the accident.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help build your claim by:
- Investigating the circumstances surrounding your accident
- Interviewing witnesses, obtaining video footage, and gathering accident reports to help develop strong evidence in your case
- Working with your medical providers to determine the full extent of your injuries
- Gathering medical records, check stubs, and other evidence of your damages
- Hiring expert witnesses, as necessary, to strengthen your case
How Long Does A Spinal Cord Injury Case Take?
The length of time it takes to recover in these cases can vary widely. One big factor is the length of time required for your medical treatment or final prognosis. Less complex cases with only minor injuries can sometimes be settled in just a few weeks or months. However, more complex cases with long-lasting injuries can take up to a year to settle. If your case ends up going to trial, it is not uncommon for a spine and back injury case to take more than a year to complete. This is why it is important to have an experienced attorney working for you.
Talk To A Spinal Cord Injury Attorney In Cherry Hill Today
Don’t wait another day to get the money you deserve. Our caring and compassionate attorneys will guide you every step of the way, and we will fight aggressively to help you recover the maximum amount to which you are entitled. With our team on your side, you will have the help you need. Contact our office online or call (856) 406-5503 today to see what we can do for you.
