How Much Compensation Can I Get for a Spinal Injury?
September 19, 2019 | Catastrophic Injuries
Back injuries tend to be severe, and though some injuries can heal with medication, physical therapy, and other types of ongoing treatment, some spinal injuries, such as paralysis and permanent nerve damage, are irreversible. If you or someone you love has suffered spinal injuries in an accident, depending on the circumstances of the accident, you could be entitled to present and future damages linked to your spinal injuries by filing a disability or spinal injury claim in Missouri.
Most Common Types of Spinal Injuries
Spinal injuries occur when there is damage done to a person’s muscles, discs, or nerves in their back during a severe car accident, or another high-impact accident, such as when playing football or other sports. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 50% of spinal cord injuries are complete SCI, meaning that the victim has a complete loss of senses functions associated with that part of their body.
Aside from complete spinal injuries, less severe, incomplete, SCI can sometimes leave victims with partial senses and functions associated with the site of injury, depending on what caused it. The most common types of spinal injury claims in Missouri include the following:
- Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries – the most severe type of spinal injury, cervical spinal injuries can cause tetraplegia, and leave victims with little to no feeling or function from the neck down
- Lumbar Damage – damage to a person lumbar can result in partial or total loss of sense or function in a person’s
lower body, such as in their hips, legs, or feet - Thoracic Spinal Cord Injuries – there are two areas that can be affected by thoracic spine injuries; the chest, lungs, and neck, or a person’s abdominal and back. Depending on where the injury occurred, this can cause partial or total loss of function in a person’s upper or lower body. Thoracic spinal injury generally results in paraplegia
- Sacral Spinal Damage – damage to a person’s coccyx can affect their hips, legs, and other parts of the lower body. Like all injuries, depending on the severity of a sacral spine injury, what caused the injury, and where the injury is located in this area, some victims can walk after receiving ongoing treatment, while others face chronic pain and loss of function
- Herniated Disks – the spine has 26 vertebrae that are supported by disks. If someone suffers a serious blow to their back, this could cause a disk to rupture – otherwise known as a “herniated disk.” Most herniated disks heal with ongoing medication and physical therapy, but in more severe cases, a person might need surgery to remove and replace the ruptured disk
Spinal injuries can limit or take away a person’s ability to perform daily activities, such as walking, riding a bike, or playing a favorite sport, and often comes with severe financial damages, in addition to the physical and emotional/mental limitations.
Spinal Injury Lawsuits in St. Louis
If a catastrophic accident has left you or a family member with partial/total or semi-permanent/permanent spinal injuries, you could recover compensation for medical expenses, mental/emotional distress, loss of income, property damages, and other losses caused during the accident. However, it’s essential to gather evidence of your injuries (medical report, photos, witness reports), proof of the accident (police report, witness accounts), and speak with a St. Louis Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer about your case’s potential for recovering damages.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, and whether someone is at-fault for your injuries, you may or may not be entitled to compensation for your harm or losses. If you are eligible to file a Missouri spinal injury claim, your lawyer can ensure that your case is protected from the other party’s insurance company and has the best odds of recovering the maximum damages settlement.
Talk to a St. Louis Spinal Injury Lawyer Today
Spinal cord injuries are one of the more serious bodily injuries that a person can encounter after a severe accident. The human spine is linked to different parts of the body, and depending on where a person is injured on their spine, can affect various bodily functions, such as their motor skills, coordination, and more. If you suffered a spinal injury in a severe accident, and you are struggling with unexpected medical bills, mental or emotional distress, a loss of income, or other damages caused in the accident, the Dixon Injury Firm specializes in all areas of personal injury and can demand the most compensation for your neck, back, or spinal injury claim in Missouri.
Christopher Dixon is recognized as a “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” by the National Trial Lawyers Association and can offer the support you need during this challenging time. Chris Dixon takes the time to make sure that every client is taken care of and has access to the resources they need after suffering a severe spinal injury, such as physical therapy, reimbursement for medical bills, and other resources that can help alleviate the stress associated with the accident. Our experienced attorneys are aggressive in fighting for the rights of spinal injury, neck injury, and back injury victims in Missouri, and promise to be by your side every step of the way when fighting for your St. Louis spinal injury claim.
If you are worried about whether you are able to recover compensation for your spinal injury claim in Missouri, or need more information on your rights to file an injury lawsuit in Missouri after a severe accident, call (314) 208-2808 or contact the Dixon Injury Firm now for a free case review or consultation.