Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Raleigh, NC
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury caused by someone else in the Raleigh area, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn for help. Fortunately, you don’t have to face this difficult situation alone. The Raleigh spinal cord injury lawyers at Hardison & Cochran stand ready to provide legal advice and represent you while pursuing the compensation you deserve.
At Hardison & Cochran, we understand the hardships that come with a spinal cord injury. Our experienced team of lawyers will work with you every step of the way to fight for maximum compensation for your injuries and related losses. With years of experience helping victims of spinal cord injuries, our lawyers are committed to helping you seek the justice you deserve.
Contact us today for a free legal case review to learn how our Raleigh spinal cord injury attorneys can help you.
What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury
The days, weeks, and months following a spinal cord injury can be incredibly daunting. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may require significant medical treatment, physical therapy, and even emotional counseling. It’s important to take the necessary steps to protect your physical health and legal rights.
Getting the right medical attention is essential for improving your condition and preventing further injury. Stick to the treatment plan your doctor recommends, and attend every appointment. Keep any medical bills you receive to include when you file your insurance claim.
It’s wise to speak to our experienced Raleigh personal injury attorneys as soon as you can. Our lawyers can help you file a claim to seek compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, pain, suffering, and other related losses. A successful claim can help ease some of the financial burden of a spinal cord injury.
Refrain from posting about your accident and your injuries on social media. The insurance company could find your posts and take them out of context to use against you to devalue or deny your claim.
Keep a journal about your injury. Record all your medical appointments, the medications you take, your daily pain levels, and how the injury affects your ability to perform your usual daily activities. This record can be persuasive evidence about the severity of your condition.
Why Choose Hardison & Cochran to Deal with a Spinal Cord Injury?
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in Raleigh, you need an experienced and knowledgeable catastrophic injury lawyer to pursue the best outcome for you. Hardison & Cochran is a trusted and respected law firm in Raleigh. Our attorneys have a proven track record of success in spinal cord injury cases. We have achieved impressive results on behalf of our clients, including a $6.75 million settlement for a paralyzed delivery driver, a $3.5 million verdict for a workplace injury that resulted in paralysis, and many more.
When you hire the Raleigh spinal cord injury attorneys at Hardison & Cochran, you gain an experienced team of legal professionals who will fight for your rights and strive to get you the maximum financial recovery for your injuries. Our team is dedicated to seeking fair and just compensation for people with spinal cord injuries, no matter how complex the case may be. With over 30 years in legal practice, we have extensive knowledge and skill in this area of the law, and we can provide the guidance you need throughout the process of pursuing compensation.
How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
When it comes to getting money from the at-fault party for a spinal cord injury, no single formula can be applied, as the claim’s value depends on multiple factors. The severity of the injury and its impacts on the victim’s life are two of the most critical factors used to determine how much compensation is appropriate. In addition, medical records, expert testimony, and other evidence may demonstrate how much the injury affected the victim. Finally, in cases where the injury is expected to have long-term or permanent effects, potential future costs are also considered.
Spinal cord injury victims can typically pursue compensation for various losses associated with their injuries, including medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, pain, suffering, and emotional distress. You might also be able to recover reimbursement for any necessary home and vehicle modifications due to the injury.
It’s important to remember that the compensation available for a spinal cord injury victim depends on the specifics of the situation. If you suffered a spine injury due to someone else’s wrongdoing, you should work with our experienced personal injury lawyers, who can fight for full and fair compensation for all losses associated with your injury.
Statute of Limitations or Time Limit for a Spinal Cord Injury Claim
It is important to remember that there is a deadline for filing a spinal cord injury lawsuit in North Carolina. In most cases, you must file your lawsuit within three years of the accident that caused the injury. However, certain circumstances may extend the statute of limitations. Contact our experienced Raleigh spinal cord injury lawyers to better understand how long you have to file a lawsuit in your specific situation. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get started building your case.
Most Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Common causes of spinal cord injuries in Raleigh include:
- Motor vehicle accidents – Car, motorcycle, and truck accidents are some of the most frequent causes of spinal cord injuries. Such accidents can cause direct trauma to the spine or an abrupt jerking motion that results in an injury.
- Falls – Falls are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries for people 65 and older, though they can happen to anyone. Falls from heights such as ladders or buildings are the main cause in younger individuals.
- Sports accidents – High-impact sports such as football, soccer, hockey, and rugby have the potential to cause spinal cord injuries. This is particularly true when athletes engage in contact sports or participate in stunts or flips.
- Job-related accidents – Spinal cord injuries can result in a variety of ways on a job site. An injury with a machine could result in a spinal injury, and a caught-between accident could result in a spinal injury.
Most Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can range from minor to complete paralysis. Some of the most common spinal cord injuries include:
- Incomplete spinal cord injury – This type of injury occurs when the spinal cord is not completely severed but is still damaged. It often leaves some sensation and movement below the injury site.
- Complete spinal cord injury – Complete spinal cord injuries occur when the spinal cord is completely severed. There will be no sensation or movement below the injury site in these cases.
- Anterior cord syndrome – This type of injury occurs when the anterior portion of the spinal cord is damaged. These injuries can result in loss of motor function, sensation, and coordination below the injured area.
- Central cord syndrome – Central cord syndrome is when the spinal cord’s central portion is damaged, resulting in weakness and sensation loss in the arms and legs.
- Brown-Sequard syndrome – This type of injury occurs when one side of the spinal cord is damaged more than the other, resulting in loss of motor function on one side and sensory deficits on the other side.
- Posterior cord syndrome – This type of injury occurs when the posterior portion of the spinal cord is damaged. These injuries can result in loss of proprioception, coordination, and vibration sensation below the injured area.
- Cauda equina syndrome – This type of injury occurs when the cauda equina nerve bundle near the lower end of the spinal cord is injured, leading to problems with bladder and bowel function.
Treatment and Hospitals for Spinal Cord Injuries
A variety of treatments can be used depending on the severity and nature of the spinal cord injury, though it is important to recognize that most spinal cord injuries will cause permanent impairments. Some of the most common treatments for spinal cord injuries include:
- Pain management – Pain management is essential for handling the discomfort of spinal cord injuries. Medications, nerve blocks, and acupuncture are some of the most common forms of pain management for spinal cord injuries.
- Physical therapy – Physical therapy is crucial for maintaining strength and flexibility in the affected area and helps improve coordination, balance, mobility, and more.
- Surgery – Surgery may sometimes be necessary to repair damage or relieve pressure on the spine.
The treatment you receive will depend on the severity of the injury, so it is important to get an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible. Regarding hospitals specializing in treating spinal cord injuries, two of the leading facilities in Raleigh are WakeMed Rehab Hospital and Duke Rehabilitation Institute. In addition, UNC Center for Rehabilitation Care of Raleigh is also an excellent resource for patients dealing with spinal cord injuries.
Schedule a Free Case Review with Our Raleigh Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys
At Hardison & Cochran, our experienced Raleigh spinal cord injury lawyer are here to help you and your family during these difficult times. We understand the legal complexities of a spinal cord injury claim and are committed to providing compassionate and reliable representation.
Contact our experienced spinal cord injury attorneys today for a free legal consultation about pursuing the compensation you need.