Seeking Compensation For Spinal Cord Injuries

Back injuries will occur in many different ways, and they will happen to all different types of people. However, the most severe injury one may sustain to one’s back almost always involves the spinal cord. If you have been in an accident or sustained damage to your spinal cord as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for their recklessness or carelessness.

Auto Accidents Are The Most Common Cause

Data from the Mayo Clinic indicates that auto and motorcycle accidents account for almost half of new spinal cord injuries every year, especially for those under 65. Most spinal cord injuries are a result of blunt trauma to the area, and auto accidents certainly do that, especially rear-end and rollover crashes that can have a direct impact on the back rather than energy being transferred through the body. Other common causes of spinal injuries mirror the blunt trauma aspects, including acts of violence like robberies and sports-related accidents.

There are certain risk factors that can increase your likelihood of injuring your spine if you do experience an auto accident, such as having a bone or joint disorder, and being male – men are disproportionately the victims of spinal injuries, partly because men are more likely than women to engage in behaviors that may lead to them (for example, more men than women play extreme sports). However, a spinal cord injury can happen to anyone, and all one can do is try to be aware of the potential.

Obtaining Compensation Can Be Complex

Spinal cord injuries can run the proverbial gamut, from herniated discs to paraplegia or quadriplegia, and someone need not lose the use of their limbs to be deserving of compensation for their injuries. Florida is a no-fault state in terms of car insurance, which means that as of this writing, an injured driver would contact their insurance company (and/or the at-fault driver’s insurance company, depending on the situation) to seek compensation for their bills and injuries, rather than bringing a suit in court as one might in other states.

Be advised that Florida is attempting to do away with its no-fault system – in February 2018 the state House passed a bill designed to repeal the state’s no-fault law and replace it with bodily injury and accident insurance at higher limits ($25,000 and $50,000 limits, respectively) to help cover bills and claims for injured victims. A similar bill died in committee in the Senate, but lawmakers have stated their intent to bring up the issue in a new session. Currently, however, the no-fault laws are in place, and as such, injuries should be dealt with through insurance companies.

Contact An Orlando Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Regardless of the method by which compensation is sought, having an attorney on your side can smooth out the process of claim and suit progression. The Orlando spinal cord injury lawyers at the Hornsby Law Group can try and help answer any questions you may have, and try to assist with compensation. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

Resource:

mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-cord-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20377890