Ventura spine injury attorneys

Fighting for Your Rights After a Spine Injury

When you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury, in addition to physical pain, emotional trauma, and potential long-term lifestyle adjustments, the financial burden can become overwhelming.

A spinal cord injury claim can be a crucial step in helping you move on with life post-injury—but it is a challenging legal process involving sophisticated medical terminology and many other complicated details. You may also face significant hurdles in establishing liability, plus fierce opposition throughout the claims process. To alleviate some of the burden during this critical time, Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP and our experienced team of Ventura spinal cord injury lawyers can help you navigate your claim so you can focus on recovery.

Recently, our legal team secured a $9 million case result for a man who suffered a spinal cord injury due to an unsafe highway design. While we can’t promise future case results based on what we have achieved in the past, our history of success demonstrates our deep understanding of complex spinal cord injury cases. For a trusted legal team with a proven record in spine injury cases, choose Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP.

To request a free consultation with one of our Ventura spine injury lawyers, call (866) 634-4525 now.

Accidents Leading to Spinal Cord Injuries

A serious spinal cord injury can result from many different types of accidents—even those that seem minor at first. The spinal cord, an essential tube of nerve tissues in the back, sends signals from the brain to the rest of the body. This delicate structure’s vulnerability can lead to significant, sometimes life-altering, consequences when injured.

Common causes of spine, back, and neck injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents: Crashes involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles are among the leading causes of spinal cord injuries. High-speed collisions, rollovers, and even low-impact crashes can generate enough force to damage the spinal cord, which may result in partial or complete paralysis and other mobility issues.
• Slip and fall accidents: Falls, especially for older adults, can cause serious harm to the spine. A hard fall can fracture vertebrae, dislocate parts of the spine, or cause other types of spinal cord injuries.
• Construction accidents: The construction industry has inherent risks, and construction accidents can lead to severe spinal injuries. Falling from a height such as a ladder or scaffolding, being struck by a heavy object, or an accident involving machinery can result in spinal cord damage.

Complications Caused by Spine Damage

Due to the structure and critical function of the spinal cord, any damage to the spinal column can lead to long-term or permanent complications. Unlike many other parts of the body, the spinal cord lacks the natural ability to heal or regenerate appreciably. The location and severity of the injury can directly influence the type and extent of problems it causes.

Long-term complications caused by spinal cord damage may include:

• Paralysis: One of the most severe outcomes of a spinal cord injury, paralysis refers to the loss of function in one or more body parts. Paraplegia is the paralysis of the lower limbs and possibly the abdominal region; quadriplegia is the paralysis of all four limbs.
• Loss of organ function: A spinal cord injury can impair the functioning of various organs, depending on the injury’s location. Organ paralysis can impact the respiratory system, bladder, bowel control, sexual functions, and other bodily systems.
• Increased risk of blood clots: Immobility following a spinal cord injury can increase the risk of developing blood clots. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism are particular concerns.
• Emotional harm: The loss of independence following a spinal cord injury can lead to emotional distress, which may manifest as anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. Coping with such a significant life change can be emotionally challenging and require ongoing psychological support.

Lifelong Care for Spine Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can be devastating—survivors often require lifelong care and support. Initial medical treatment may involve surgery and a lengthy hospital stay, followed by ongoing care to manage pain, prevent complications, and improve quality of life. The costs associated with recovery from a spine injury can be staggering, making it important to consider filing a claim to seek compensation for these expenses and related losses.

Long-term care needs will vary based on individual circumstances, but some common types are:

• Physical therapy: The goal of physical therapy is to help restore physical function and mobility. It may include exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and balance, as well as pain management techniques.
• Rehabilitative therapy: This form of therapy aims to help people adapt to changes and limitations in their physical abilities after a serious injury such as spinal cord damage. It may involve learning new skills or re-learning old ones, as well as strategies to compensate for lost functions.
• Occupational therapy: This treatment focuses on improving your ability to perform daily activities, including those related to your career. Occupational therapists work with patients to adapt tasks or the environment to their abilities, promoting independence, and improving quality of life.
• Living space adjustments: Spinal cord injury survivors often need home modifications to accommodate their new physical limitations. Such accommodations could include installing ramps, widening doorways, modifying bathrooms, and adding assistive technology.
• In-home care services: Depending on the severity of your spine injury, you may need assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, cooking, and cleaning. In-home caregivers can provide these services, helping you maintain your dignity and independence.

How Expensive Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

Depending on the location and severity of your injury, and the age at which the injury occurred, the lifetime medical care costs associated with a spinal cord injury can be stunning—expenses exceed $1 million on average, and can soar into multi-millions for an individual severely injured as a young person. It is also important to remember that beyond the immediate medical costs, the lifetime financial burden of spinal cord injury will likely include rehabilitation, ongoing care, and reduced income, and other losses.

Damages related to spinal cord injuries include:

• Medical costs: Medical costs for spinal cord care can include the immediate medical expenses following the accident such as emergency room visits, surgery, hospital stays, medication, and medical equipment.
• Future treatment costs: Spinal cord injuries often require ongoing medical treatment and care, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, regular check-ups, and potential future surgeries.
• Lost wages: If you missed weeks or months of work due to a spinal cord injury, you can include your lost income in your injury claim.
• Reduced income earning capacity: If the spine injury affects your ability to work or reduces your earning capacity in the future due to new limitations, you may be able to claim for this specific type of financial loss.
•  Pain and suffering: This non-economic damage is intended to compensate for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury, which can be just as important and possibly greater than economic damage.

Our Ventura spine injury attorneys are skilled in researching and evaluating spinal cord injury cases to accurately calculate the damages owed to our clients. We understand the true cost associated with such injuries, and we fight tirelessly for comprehensive recoveries. While  attempting to negotiate a fair settlement, we prepare every case for trial, fighting tirelessly to help our clients receive the compensation they need and deserve.

Speak with a Ventura Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

When you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence or reckless act, you need legal representation with the experience, insight, and resources to handle your unique case. The Ventura spine injury lawyers at Greene Broillet & Wheeler understand the gravity of your situation. We have a proven track record of successfully handling spinal injury claims, and bring a level of dedication that matches the seriousness of your case. We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible to discuss your case and explore the legal options available to you. Our skilled and compassionate team will guide and support you through the challenging legal process of pursuing compensation and justice after a life-changing accident.

We’re available 24/7. Please dial (866) 634-4525 to arrange a free consultation.