Few types of injuries are more serious and long lasting than damage to the spinal cord. Even relatively minor trauma to this part of the body can require months of intensive medical care, and more substantial injuries will almost always cause permanent loss of bodily function.
When it comes to getting paid fairly for the impact of a spinal cord injury, there is no substitute for assistance from a dedicated St. Louis spinal cord injury lawyer. These cases have particularly high stakes and challenging procedural guidelines, so help from a seasoned catastrophic injury attorney can often mean the difference between getting a positive case result and getting no compensation at all.
Depending on where on the spine it occurs and how “complete” the damage is, a spinal cord injury can result in partial or total paralysis in every area of the body below the injury site. Paraplegia refers to when an injury affects the lower limbs and torso, and quadriplegia is when spinal damage affects the entire body below the neck. Either type of injury can entitle a plaintiff to recover damages for both economic and non-economic losses. Common examples of compensation in spinal cord injury cases include repayment for:
A spinal cord injury attorney could discuss what losses a particular person might be able to recover compensation for during an initial consultation.
Despite how severe spinal cord injuries can be, civil cases built around them are still subject to the same rules and restrictions that apply to most other personal injury claims. For instance, any percentage of total fault that the court assigns to an injured plaintiff for causing the accident could be held against them as a proportional reduction in available compensation. While Missouri does not set a threshold of “comparative fault” that completely disqualifies a plaintiff from seeking any compensation, allegations of comparative negligence make it much more challenging to collect payments.
Additionally, the five-year filing deadline set by Missouri Revised Statutes §516.120 on most personal injury cases applies to spinal cord injury claims. Guidance from a capable attorney in St. Louis can be key to building a compelling spinal cord injury claim within the time limit.
If you suffered an injury to your spine due to another person’s negligence, you may not know where to turn. You are likely dealing with expensive medical bills and other setbacks, so you should not have to handle paperwork and other legal processes on your own. Instead, consider taking your case to a St. Louis spinal cord injury lawyer. A dedicated legal representative could answer questions, help you file your claim on time, and offer personalized guidance.
