Spine Injury Lawyers
Charlotte | Huntersville | Hickory
Helping Victims Recover Compensation After Spine Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
Any serious injury that requires medical attention is cause for concern. There are certain physical conditions, however, that stand out as uniquely terrifying. A spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of those conditions. The first thing that comes to many people’s minds when hearing of such damage is paralysis. While this is certainly one potential outcome, a person doesn’t have to lose mobility to be disastrously impacted by such a condition. If you or a loved one have found yourself facing an ordeal of this type due to the negligent or reckless actions of a third party, a spine injury lawyer in North Carolina may be able to help.
At Harman Law, we’ve seen what damage to the spinal cord can do to a person. In addition to facing things like lost wages and crippling medical bills, it’s possible that injured parties could have their entire lives upended. In fact, statistics show that spinal cord injuries can have a lifetime medical cost exceeding $5 million in some cases. In a country where the average worker earns less than $2 million in their entire lifetime, it’s clear that an SCI can be a disaster for those who suffer. At Harman Law, we know the difficulties you’re facing and those that are still to come. That’s why we offer a free case evaluation for injury victims who need help.
How Much Is a Spinal Cord Injury Personal Injury Claim Worth?
Our spinal cord injury attorneys talk to victims of negligent and reckless actions daily. One of the first questions we hear is “how much is my claim worth?” It’s important to note that injury victims are not trying to get rich. SCIs very often cause serious damage to the body which is incredibly costly over time. Calculating the amount of recovery you may be entitled to, however, is not an exact science. That’s because there are countless variables that could go into such a calculation. You will get a better idea of possible settlement and court award amounts after speaking with a North Carolina spinal cord injury lawyer.
However, there are a few things that can give you a notion of how much compensation is possible. First, there is no cap on compensatory damages in North Carolina. If your injury results in a loss of $10 million due to medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other losses, there’s nothing to stop you from collecting the full $10 million. In addition, spinal cord injury victims could also possibly receive three times their compensatory damages or $250,000 — whichever is higher — in punitive damages if the court believes the defendant’s behavior was particularly egregious.
There are some limits to these rules, however, that could affect medical malpractice cases. That’s because there’s a cap on potential non-economic damages in these claims. The amount adjusts with inflation, but it’s right around $500,000. To be clear, this doesn’t mean you and your spinal cord injury attorney in North Carolina can only get $500,000. This is just the cap for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment in life. If a patient suffers disfigurations due to medical negligence, though, this damage cap may be invalidated. This is all obviously complex, so don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation with Harman Law today.
Can Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Increase Compensation?
While it may seem unfair or even nonsensical, being entitled to a certain amount of monetary compensation does not necessarily mean you’ll receive that level of compensation. For instance, perhaps the negligence of another party caused $1 million worth of damages — but if negligence cannot be proven in court, it’s possible that no reimbursement will be forthcoming. This is why so many injury victims opt to seek financial compensation with the help of a North Carolina personal injury attorney. Even when you factor in the cost of hiring a lawyer, statistics show you’re still likely to walk away with higher compensation.
This is because injury attorneys are skilled in what they do. If you’ve suffered spine injuries and hire a lawyer, it’s unlikely that you’ll be the first client they’ve had with such an injury. They’ve probably dealt with insurance adjusters on a daily basis, and if an insurer is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, a personal injury attorney likely also has the experience to take your case to trial. At Harman Law, every injury victim we work with has a unique case, but we’ve worked within this system for years. We can help figure out exactly what you deserve, and we’ve got the experience to increase your odds of receiving it.
And since we work on a contingency fee basis, you’ll never have to worry about paying for representation out of pocket. If we don’t secure compensation on your behalf, you do not owe our law firm a dime.
What Are Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?
Whether you’re able to recover damages from spinal cord injury claims depends on your ability to prove liability. If you’re unable to do so, it’s unlikely that an insurance company will be motivated to offer a fair settlement. Similarly, it will be difficult to convince a judge or jury that you should receive financial compensation. One of the first steps in proving liability involves identifying the cause of your injury. This can help better pinpoint all potential at-fault parties in your case — some of which you may not have even initially considered. If someone has suffered an SCI, there’s a good chance it was related to one of the following:
- Car accidents: No other incident type causes more spinal cord injuries than a car accident. Almost one-third of all SCIs stem from motor vehicle collisions.
- Falls: Around one-fourth of all SCIs are caused by falls. This makes falls the second leading cause of such injuries.
- Gunshot wounds: Spinal injury attorneys also frequently find themselves working with gunshot victims. About 10% of all SCIs are related to gun violence and accidents.
- Motorcycle accidents: A motorcycle accident is often detrimental to the rider. These make up about 7% of all SCIs.
- Diving accidents: People diving into shallow water make up about 5% of spinal cord injuries seen in hospitals.
- Medical complications: Mistakes in surgery or other treatments can cause damage to the spinal cord. About 4% of SCI victims sustained their injuries this way.
Our North Carolina personal injury attorneys have seen all these accidents and many more. There are times when your ability to recover compensation may be limited — such as in workers’ compensation cases — but there are nuances to the law which could invalidate even the most strict limitations. While you have many options after being involved in an accident that causes spinal cord damage, your best bet may be to contact an experienced law firm. SCI victims no doubt have a difficult road ahead of them, but with the help of a skilled legal professional, they don’t have to navigate that road alone.
What's the Statute of Limitations for a Serious Spinal Cord Injury?
If another party’s improper behavior has resulted in medical costs, loss of income, and other damages, there’s a chance that your quest to seek compensation will be successful. However, this will not be the case if the statute of limitations expires on your case. In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for back injury cases is three years. The only way to receive appropriate compensation is to file your claim within this time. Failing to do so could forfeit your right to recover damages. This is true even if your earning capacity has been eliminated or you’re suffering from paraplegia or quadriplegia.
If a loved one suffered spine damage and dies from their injury, it’s the North Carolina wrongful death statute of limitations that will be relevant. Unfortunately, this statute creates a deadline of only two years. And if your loved one spends years receiving medical care prior to succumbing to their injuries, nuances to the law could shorten even this timeline. This is why it’s so imperative to seek out legal representation following traumatic incidents. Severe spinal injuries are very often detrimental, and missing your chance for compensation can be disastrous. Don’t wait and risk your chance at justice.
Contact Spinal Injury Lawyers in North Carolina Today
A spinal cord injury is one of the most significant harms that a person could face. Along with head injuries, damage to the spine is often seen as a life-altering event. In a best-case scenario, such an injury may only lead to temporary pain and short-term treatment. Unfortunately, even individuals who find themselves in this situation often deal with years of chronic pain that refuses to subside. While this certainly seems detrimental, there are also others who suffer spinal cord injuries and completely lose their ability to live a normal life. Regardless of how serious your injury may be, you may be entitled to compensation if improper acts by a third party caused it.
At Harman Law, our team of personal injury attorneys works hard to serve the citizens of North Carolina. We’ve spent years helping accident victims recover maximum compensation, and if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior, we want to make sure you get everything you deserve as well. Lost wages, medical expenses, therapeutic needs, and other costs can add up quickly — and it’s not right that you should have to face these difficulties alone. Contact us today by calling (704) 286-0947 to schedule a free consultation. Our spinal injury lawyers in North Carolina are ready to advocate on your behalf.
