If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you know that getting out of bed or even trying to move around the house causes excruciating pain. Due to the extent of your injuries, you may be out of work temporarily or unable to work at all. The emotional stress and anxiety you go through every day are making it impossible for you to live your life normally.
After suffering a catastrophic injury caused by someone else’s negligence, every aspect of your life could be affected. A compassionate and experienced Staunton spinal cord injury lawyer from MartinWren, P.C., may be able to help you regain control of your life and build a better life for yourself and your family.
Connect with a skilled Staunton personal injury lawyer who is available 24 hours a day to meet your needs by calling our office to request a free consultation.
Spinal Cord Injuries Can Occur in Any Accident
Virtually any type of accident has the potential to cause a spinal cord injury. The type of accident you were involved in could determine whether your spinal cord injuries were complete, the muscles or tendons were completely severed or torn, or incomplete, and the ligaments and tendons were stretched enough to cause serious damage as described by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Some of the most common types of accidents our clients have endured include:
- Slips and falls
- Work accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Car accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Construction accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Traumatic brain injury
- Nursing home abuse
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call 434-817-3100
Staunton Spinal Cord Injury FAQ
What Is the Life Expectancy of a Person with a Spinal Cord Injury?
The severity of the spinal cord injury will determine the injury victim’s life expectancy. According to Statista, someone who suffers a tetraplegia spinal cord injury may live another 26 years after their injury. Alternatively, someone who suffers from paraplegia after an accident could expect to live another 40+ years after their injury.
Some of the factors that could determine life expectancy after a spinal cord injury include your age at the time of the accident, the type of spinal cord injury you suffered, and how much support you have in your life. With medical advances, it is common for people dealing with spinal cord injuries to live almost as long or longer than someone who never suffered a spinal cord injury but does not live a healthy lifestyle.
You can increase your life expectancy post-spinal cord injury by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, following your healthcare provider’s treatment plan, and focusing on keeping your mental health strong.
Can I Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Staunton on Contingency for a Lawsuit?
Yes, you can hire a spinal cord injury lawyer in Staunton on a contingency fee basis to help you win your spinal cord injury lawsuit. When you choose a Staunton spinal cord injury attorney from MartinWren, P.C., we never charge our clients anything for our services until we win. Your contingency agreement could be as low as 33.3% or as high as 40% of your award, depending on the complexity and nature of your case.
What Spinal Injuries Qualify for Disability?
If your spinal cord injuries prevent you from being able to earn a living, you may be eligible for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits in addition to the compensation you recover through your spinal cord injury lawsuit.
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), which keeps a running list of qualifying medical conditions, there are certain types of injuries that will immediately qualify you for disability benefits. Some examples of these spinal cord injuries include:
- Spinal arachnoiditis
- Scoliosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Facet arthritis
- Spinal osteoarthritis
- Spinal stenosis
- Vertebral fractures
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Claims in VA?
The statute of limitations for spinal cord injury and personal injury lawsuits across the state of Virginia is typically two years. According to Virginia Law § 8.01-243, these claims must be filed before the deadline expires.
In addition, some claims, such as claims against government actors, require parties to provide notices of a claim with certain detailed information. Failing to meet the statute of limitations or comply with notice periods may bar you from demanding justice for your damages at trial.
Determining when the statute of limitations expires can be a complex legal question, so you should speak with a Staunton spinal cord injury lawyer to ensure whether you have enough time to file or settle a claim.
If this is the case, do not hesitate to contact a Staunton catastrophic injury lawyer from our firm to discuss your accident and the spinal cord injuries you sustained.
This will give us a better idea as to whether the countdown has been temporarily paused and whether we have enough time to build a compelling claim against the liable party. Do not wait to get started on your claim, as doing so could prevent you from maximizing your settlement.
Is a Spinal Cord Injury a Permanent Disability?
Some types of spinal cord injuries may be considered permanent disabilities. We see this most often in cases of paralysis, where the injury victim has permanently lost use of the affected limbs. However, if your spinal cord injury resulted in extreme stretching of the tendons, muscles, and limbs but there was no tearing, your injuries may not be permanent.
That is not to say you will regain full use of your affected limbs, however. With stretching of the muscles, tendons, and limbs, you will likely require extensive physical and occupational therapy to regain mobility and functionality. There is no guarantee that your spinal cord injuries and symptoms will fully resolve, even with treatment.
Speak with a Reputable Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Staunton Today
It is important to be open to all potential avenues for financial relief when someone else is responsible for causing your debilitating spinal cord injuries. Do not let yourself be swept up in the idea of filing a claim with the insurance company and moving forward with your life. Insurance settlements may not be enough to meet the total value of your losses, so going to trial may be necessary to ensure you are getting the most out of your claim.
Your dedicated Staunton spinal cord injury attorney from MartinWren, P.C., will do everything possible to bring the at-fault party to justice.
You can continue physical therapy and rehabilitation and focus on getting well physically and emotionally while our team handles the legal details of your case. Schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation as soon as today when you fill out our quick contact form or call our office to get started.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
