Learn How a Nebraska Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Can Help After a Car Accident
A spinal cord injury often causes multiple complications, including chronic pain, loss of mobility, dependency on medical care and assistive devices—even paralysis. Additionally, the financial strain from long-term medical expenses, rehabilitation, and potential loss of income can be overwhelming.
Put your trust in Beck & Beck Attorneys. When you partner with us on your spinal cord injury (SCI) case, our goals are to help alleviate your concerns and to pursue a settlement that acknowledges both your current and future needs. We understand there are many factors in SCI car accident claims, and we’ll help you every step of the way.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury damages nerves and nerve fibers that send signals to the brain. Depending on where the injury occurs, it may cause loss of function and movement throughout most of the body or limbs (tetraplegia or quadriplegia) or in the lower part of the body (paraplegia). People may experience paralysis immediately after the injury, or it develops later on as a result of bleeding, swelling, or secondary damage.
SCI symptoms include, but aren’t limited to:
- Loss of sensation or movement, numbness, tingling, or other changes in hands and feet
- Weakness throughout the body
- Pain and pressure, especially in the back, neck, and head
- Abnormal positions of the head or spine
- Difficulties with breathing and walking
- Bladder and bowel changes or loss of control
- Loss of or changes in sexual function
- Life-threatening secondary conditions
How a Spinal Cord Injury Impacts Your Life
Since SCIs affect so many different areas of your body, daily functioning can be extremely challenging, even if paralysis is only temporary. There’s also the mental and emotional trauma that occurs along with such a serious medical complication, as well as an impact on social engagement. Finally, both the initial and ongoing care and treatment costs can be astronomical, so there’s a heavy financial burden as well.
The High Costs Associated With SCIs
Many treatment and rehabilitation options allow people who suffer an SCI after a car accident to live independent and productive lives, but make no mistake: expenses are high. At Beck & Beck, our experienced spinal cord injury lawyers won’t leave anything to chance in evaluating your case and assessing all aspects necessary to your health care. Here’s what we consider as part of your accident compensation.
Medical Bills
It’s critical to factor in all potential expenses, such as:
- Hospitalizations and surgeries
- Trauma care (such as the use of a ventilator)
- Doctors’ and specialists’ visits
- Rehabilitation, such as physical and occupational therapy
- Medications
- Treatment of secondary conditions
- Essential equipment to function with the SCI
- Long-term care costs, such as in-home aides
- Mental health counseling and treatment
Average First-Year and Subsequent Yearly Cost for SCIs
According to the most recent data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, it’s also necessary to calculate initial and extended costs. For example, the following conditions usually involve these estimates:
- High Tetraplegia
- First Year $1,369,755
- Each Subsequent Year $237,862
- Low Tetraplegia
- First Year $989,768
- Each Subsequent Year $145,918
- Paraplegia
- First Year $667,569
- Each Subsequent Year $88,433
- Motor Functional at Any Level
- First Year $447,037
- Each Subsequent Year $54,298
It’s important to note that the figures above only include medical care and don’t include lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, or other losses.
Why You Need a Nebraska Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by someone else, having a lawyer knowledgeable in spinal cord injuries can help protect your rights. At Beck & Beck, our team can help you with the complicated insurance claims process for SCIs. Remember: insurance companies and legal representatives from the at-fault party aren’t advocating for you. In fact, they often try to minimize compensation for your injuries.
But we won’t back down. We’ll put every piece of the puzzle in place through dedicated investigation, extensive evidence, witness and accident reconstruction expert statements, and more to prove your right to compensation.