When you are involved in a car accident, you might be fortunate enough to escape without any serious injuries. Wearing seat belts and having a car with airbags and other safety features may help you to avoid the most traumatic injuries. Unfortunately, while they have greatly decreased auto accident fatality rates, these safety measures are not enough to prevent all injuries. Among the most serious injuries suffered in car crashes are spinal cord injuries.
At The Law Firm of Carlton F. Bennett, P.L.L.C., our diligent catastrophic brain injury attorney has more than 47 years of relevant legal experience. An authority on traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury cases, Carlton Bennett will fight aggressively to protect your rights and maximize your financial compensation. With us, your case will be handled with the skill and knowledge that few other law firms can bring to the table. To set up a free, fully confidential consultation with a top Virginia Beach spinal cord injury lawyer, please call our law office today.
OUR LAW FIRM HANDLES ALL TYPES OF SPINAL CORD INJURY CASES
The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) estimates that nearly 300,000 Americans are currently living with the effects of a serious spinal cord injury. These injuries can occur in a wide range of different accidents, and they can cause serious long-term or permanent impairments to the victim. Our Virginia Beach attorney has the experience to represent you in the full range of spinal injury claims, including:
- Motor vehicle accidents – Despite the safety measures that modern cars feature, spinal cord injuries are still common after an accident.
- Commercial truck accidents – A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh more than 75,000 pounds. A truck accident can result in catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord damage. If you suffered spinal cord damage in a truck accident, we are here to help.
- Dangerous and defective products – When spinal cord injuries are caused by (or made worse by) dangerous or defective products, manufacturers and distributors may be held liable.
- Medical malpractice – You trust your doctors to provide high-quality, safe medical care. Unfortunately, hospitals and health care providers do not also live up to that trust. Medical negligence can cause serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries.
WE HELP YOU SEE THE BIG PICTURE
Understanding the symptoms of a spinal cord injury is crucial. Recognizing them early on is vital for receiving the proper medical care and improving your prognosis. Symptoms will vary depending on injury severity. Some of the most common symptoms our Viriginia Beach attorney sees in a spinal injury claim include the following:
- Loss of movement – Difficulty or inability to move your limbs may indicate a spinal cord injury. You might experience muscle weakness, paralysis, or an overall lack of coordination.
- Altered sensation – Spinal cord injuries can result in changes to your sense of touch. You may experience numbness, tingling, or heightened sensitivity to temperature or touch in your extremities.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control – Inability to control your bladder or bowel movements might be a sign of spinal cord damage. That happens because the nerves controlling your bladder and bowels are affected.
- Pain or an intense stinging sensation – Spinal cord injuries can cause significant pain, often described as a burning or stinging sensation. This discomfort may be localized or spread throughout your body, depending on the severity of your spinal cord injury.
- Difficulty breathing – Trouble breathing might be related to a spinal cord injury that affects the nerves responsible for respiratory function.
- Spasms or exaggerated reflexes – Damage to the spinal cord can lead to involuntary muscle contractions or spasms and exaggerated reflexes. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and may interfere with your daily activities.
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention right away. The quicker you see a doctor, the better your chances of minimizing long-term complications. If your spinal cord injury is due to another party’s negligence, please get in touch with a Virginia Beach lawyer.
YOU DESERVE COMPENSATION FOR THE FULL EXTENT OF YOUR DAMAGES
If your spinal cord injury results from another party’s negligence, you could have the right to recover compensation for your damages. A successful claim can help cover many of the expenses related to a life-altering injury. Recoverable damages will vary case by case. In general, damages include:
- Medical expenses – Spinal cord injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and rehabilitative therapy. You can seek compensation for past and future medical expenses related to a spinal cord injury.
- Lost wages – You can seek loss of earnings if your spinal cord injury has forced you to miss work or reduced your ability to work. These damages also include any anticipated future loss of earnings due to a diminished capacity to work.
- Pain and suffering – The physical and emotional suffering from a spinal cord injury can be immense. You may seek compensation for the pain, discomfort, and emotional distress you have endured due to your injury.
- Loss of consortium – Spinal cord injuries can adversely impact relationships with your spouse or partner. You may be entitled to compensation for the loss of companionship, emotional support, and sexual function caused by your injury.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – If your spinal cord injury has diminished your ability to enjoy your life as before the accident, you may be eligible for damages. These damages include compensation for the inability to participate in hobbies, social activities, or any other aspects of life that brought you joy.
- Home modifications and assistive devices – Spinal cord injuries typically require changes to your home to accommodate your new physical limitations. You may also need assistive devices like a wheelchair, ramp, or lift.
- Punitive damages – In cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly reckless or malicious, the court might award punitive damages as a form of “punishment” and deterrence. Punitive damages are rare, but they do happen in some instances.
It’s important to consult with an experienced spinal cord injury attorney in Virginia Beach. A lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of a spinal cord injury claim and explain what damages apply in your case.
CONTACT OUR VIRGINIA BEACH SPINAL CORD INJURY ATTORNEY FOR HELP TODAY
At The Law Firm of Carlton F. Bennett, our Virginia Beach spinal cord injury lawyer is a tireless advocate for injured victims and their families. Serious injuries are our business. Call us today to learn more about how we fight for our clients and help them to get the compensation they need to move forward with their lives.
Consultations are free and fully confidential. From our legal office in Virginia Beach, we handle spinal cord injury claims throughout the entire Hampton Roads region.