There are many causes for spinal cord injury that range from sports to motor vehicle accidents and slip-and-falls at work. Even medical malpractice can leave a patient paralyzed.

It is one thing to injure yourself playing sports, but another altogether if it happens due to the negligence of another person. You do not deserve to face a lifetime punishment due to someone else’s mistake.

Call Judd Shaw Injury Law immediately to see whether you are eligible to receive compensation for your spinal injury. We will fight for your legal rights, the Judd Shaw Way. Be sure to check out our No Fee Guarantee®, which ensures you will not have to pay a dime unless you win!

We are ready to take your call. You can contact us right away by dialing [phone] for a free consultation.

Spinal Injury Statistics

According to data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCSC), there are over 17,000 new spinal injuries each year in the US. It is estimated that around 294,000 Americans currently have a spinal injury, 78 percent being male.

Statistical data reveals only 18 percent of spinal injury patients can work 1 year after their injury. That number only goes up to 32 percent after 40 years. This reveals just how debilitating a spinal injury can be.

The main causes of spinal injuries are demonstrated as follows:

• 38.6 percent caused by vehicle accidents
• 32.2 percent caused by slips and falls
• 14 percent caused by acts of violence
• 7.8 percent caused by sports accidents
• 4.2 percent caused by medical injuries
• 3.2 percent have other unspecified causes

How Do Spinal Injuries Happen?

Spinal injuries happen when there is a major blow to a person’s spine. This impact, whether from a fall or other cause, can fracture, break, or dislocate vertebrae. This sudden jarring to the spine can then break loose disc material or cause bone fragments, tear ligaments, and even harm spinal cord tissue. These types of injuries can cause extreme pain and even lifelong paralysis.

Spinal axons are part of the nerve system that carries signals across the spine, into the brain, and down the arms and legs. When one of these nerves is compressed due to injury, the pain can be terrible. In some cases, the severing of these nerves can lead to total paralysis.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

There are two main ways to classify the type of spinal cord damage a person has: complete or incomplete. The two main classifications for spinal injuries are:

1. Complete injury: This is when the symptoms are revealed by a complete lack of motor function and sensory reception. If a patient survives a complete spinal injury, he or she will likely suffer from chronic pain and several other major health issues. The ability of the spinal cord to send and receive signals has been lost permanently.

1. Incomplete injury: While there was a major blow to the spinal column, this is a best-case scenario. The spinal cord’s ability to send and receive signals has not been fully destroyed. This means there is some retention of the sensory and motor functions.

Negligent Causes of Spinal Injuries

While it is possible that some spinal injuries can be caused by your own mistake, many are caused by the negligent actions of others. Since many spinal injuries can lead to permanent disability and even paralysis, the cost of treatment can be astronomical. If you were injured due to someone’s negligence, you do not have to bear the financial burden yourself. You can file a claim for compensation to get back what you lost.

Common negligent causes of spinal injuries can include:

• Motor vehicle accidents where the other driver was at fault
• Pedestrian crashes
• Falls due to icy sidewalks and other hazards, like roofs, ladders, and spills
• Falling debris and merchandise
• Assault and battery when attacked
• Spinal injuries that occur while on the job
• Medical malpractice, like surgical errors, infections, and trauma
• Construction accidents
• Recreational accidents that occurred after using faulty machinery, like boats

If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, call Judd Shaw Injury Law right away. You have a right to pursue compensation, and we are here to help fight for you.

Proving Negligence in a Spinal Injury Case

While negligence is a common reason why spinal injuries occur, you must prove this is the case to win any type of compensation. This is why hiring a spine injury attorney is essential to firmly establish negligence as the cause of your injuries.

Here are four essential ways your attorney will have to prove negligence happened:

1. The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care
2. The defendant breached his or her duty of care by failing to act
3. The defendant’s breach of duty directly resulted in the plaintiff’s injuries
4. The injuries sustained by the plaintiff resulted in some type of losses

For example, you went grocery shopping and slipped on a patch of ice. You fell and injured your spine, requiring time missed from work and medical bills. To be compensated for your losses, you would have to prove the store owner was negligent by failing to properly clear ice off his sidewalk. As a customer, you were owed a duty of care. The store owner failed to act, which led to your injury, so he should have to pay for your losses.

What Compensation Can You Receive After a Spinal Injury?

Spinal cord injuries can significantly impact you financially. These types of injuries require extensive treatment and may prevent you from being able to work ever again. How will you be able to afford your medical bills and other expenses when you cannot even go to work? The only option is to sue for compensation to recoup your losses and any future treatment costs.

The compensation you can receive includes the following:

• Current and future medical bills
• Rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Cost of medical equipment
• Transportation
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Permanent disability
• Loss of consortium

Judd Shaw Injury Law Stands Ready to Be Your Spinal Injury Attorney

Winning compensation after a spinal injury is not going to be easy. That is why you should call Judd Shaw Injury Law right away to hire a reliable spinal injury attorney. Facing a potentially life-altering condition due to a spinal injury can be scary, and pursuing a claim on your own can feel impossible. You can make things easier for yourself by choosing a tough, experienced lawyer who can fight for you to get every dollar you deserve.

When we say we will do things “the Judd Shaw Way,” it actually means something. Our attorneys will go to work right away, serving your legal needs. The only thing you should be focused on is recovering while we go to war on your behalf. That means our clients can sit back, relax, and worry less about their financial future. With us, you are in good hands.

Contact us today at [phone] to learn more about how we can assist you. Our No Fee Guarantee® is our contingency payment promise that you will not have to pay a cent unless you win.