Denton Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

The spinal cord is a long bodily structure that extends from the bottom of the brainstem to the bottom of the spine. It is surrounded by the spine itself and consists of a variety of important nerves that carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

When a person injures their spinal cord, they often lose function in their entire body, and many are unable to live the life they are accustomed to as a result. If you believe your spinal cord injury was caused by the negligence of someone else, you may be able to obtain financial compensation with the help of a Denton spinal cord injury lawyer. Call a compassionate attorney today to get started on your claim.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

There are two primary types of spinal cord injuries, differentiated by the degree of damage sustained and resulting effects. When a person loses all sensation and their ability to control movement below the damaged area, they have suffered a complete injury. If the injured person maintains some degree of functioning below the damaged area, they have experienced an incomplete injury. Paralysis is a common side effect of serious spinal cord injuries, and paralyzed individuals may suffer from either quadriplegia or paraplegia. Quadriplegia is paralysis in the arms, hands, legs, trunk, and pelvis, and it is the more severe form of paralysis. Paraplegia impacts all or part of the legs, trunk, and pelvis.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

In general, spinal cord injuries usually result from damage to the spinal cord or its column of vertebrae and disks. The most serious and debilitating spinal cord injuries are often caused by a sudden and forceful blow to the spine, which results in the spinal cord or its column being fractured, compressed, or crushed.

Spinal cord injuries are often caused by the following occurrences:

Car accidents
Sporting activities
Slips and falls
Physical assault (gunshot, stabbing, etc.)

When a person sustains a spinal cord injury, they are often left unable to work and in need of frequent medical care. The costs of this medical care can easily add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially if the injured person ends up paralyzed. If someone suffers an injury at the hands of a careless or reckless individual, they should immediately contact a spinal cord injury lawyer in Denton for an evaluation of their legal options.

Determining Liability

In any case involving a catastrophic injury, there are three main categories of questions lawyers frequently ask in order to determine liability:

Is there someone else liable for the incident – that is, a third party who owed a duty of care to the injured person and who failed to meet that duty?
How severe are the damages to the individual and will they be able to make a full recovery?
Does the liable party have insurance or other avenues for recovering payment and compensation for the injury?

Evidence of Spinal Cord Injuries

To pursue a spinal cord injury claim, an individual must present evidence to prove that someone else is responsible for their injury. This could include anything from pictures and medical records to police reports, injury accident reports, and recorded statements. The process of collecting evidence can be tedious, especially for someone recovering from a serious injury, which is why it may be beneficial to reach out to an experienced spinal cord injury attorney in Denton. A skilled spinal cord injury lawyer could aid in collecting evidence from public records, police departments, or any other investigating agency. Additionally, they could send record requests to medical providers and obtain medical treatment and billing records. These records are requested from medical providers in business record affidavit form, which makes the statements and information contained in them presentable in trial.

Calculating Emotional Costs

When most people think of a spinal cord injury, they immediately think of a loss of mobility and complex medical treatments. Most individuals with severe spinal cord injuries will have to deal with such issues, but they may also have to deal with the emotional and psychological damage that often accompanies a severe, life-altering injury. Many spinal cord injury patients suffer from a major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and such serious mental problems often require the treatment of a psychiatrist or therapist. Psychological disorders can make recovery even more painful for the injured person, especially when they are unable to live a normal life or engage in the activities they are used to as a result.

Call a Denton Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Today

If you are currently recovering from a spinal cord injury, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Spinal cord injuries can uproot your life, and for this reason, the person responsible for your injury should not be allowed to walk away without compensating you for your suffering. Call a Denton spinal cord injury lawyer today to discuss your case.