The six reasons you need a spinal cord injury lawyer are that a trained spinal cord injury lawyer knows the law and your rights inside and out, can help prove liability, and will fight to get you the full compensation you are entitled to.
A Charlottesville spinal cord injury lawyer can help you protect your rights and the integrity of your claim.
Spinal Cord Injuries Are Life-Altering and Expensive
When facing the costs of a spinal cord injury, most people only consider the immediate medical bills and lost income. They forget that these injuries often cause paralysis, loss of mobility, and lifelong medical needs:
- Surgeries
- Rehabilitation
- Medication
- Prosthetics
- Assistive technology
- Permanent disability resulting in the inability to work
Many people underestimate the physical and emotional suffering spinal cord injury victims endure. In addition, these treatments can be expensive, costing millions of dollars over your lifetime. This is one of the many reasons you need a spinal cord injury lawyer to advocate for you.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (434) 817-3100
Proving Liability Can Be Complex
Spinal cord injuries can happen in many ways, and under Virginia’s pure contributory negligence laws, if you are found to be even 1% responsible for causing your own injures, then you are unable to recover any damages. Knowing the circumstances in which these injuries can occur can help you and your attorney determine who is liable. Common causes include:
- Car accidents
- Falls
- Workplace incidents
- Medical malpractice
- General negligence from a property owner
Because multiple parties may share liability, an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer can investigate what happened, identify who’s at fault, and build a compelling case for compensation.
Insurance Companies Will Try to Limit Payouts
After an injury, insurance companies often work to minimize the payouts they owe. One of the many ways they do this is by trying to offer you a settlement for less than you deserve. They may try to contact you before you’ve had a chance to speak to your attorney in hopes they can convince you to take less than you are owed.
Insurance companies may also try to deny liability. Virginia utilizes a pure contributory negligence law. They know about this law and will find any piece of evidence to show you are somewhat liable. Having an attorney can help you fight this.
Another common defense used by insurance companies is disputing the severity of your injuries or trying to claim that your disabilities are due to a preexisting condition. A Charlottesville personal injury lawyer levels the playing field with medical evidence and negotiation experience.
Evidence and Legal Deadlines Are Critical
The legal system is complex, and missing deadlines can mean losing your case. Having a Virginia personal injury lawyer on your team means having a partner who understands the system and what it takes to navigate it. After a spinal cord injury, time is of the essence.
The statute of limitations in Virginia states how long you have to file your claim. For a spinal cord injury, you have two years from the date of the incident to file. If you miss this deadline, generally, the case is considered time-barred, and you are no longer able to file. Your claim may also be subject to even shorter notice periods that require action sooner.
There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule. If a claimant is a minor at the time of the injury, the case may be tolled, or paused, until they become of age. Additionally, there are potential extensions in the case of medical malpractice or possible sexual abuse. A spinal cord injury lawyer will be familiar with these rules and can help you determine if you still have a case.
A Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Knows What Evidence Matters and How to Preserve It
Evidence is the key to winning any case. In the case of a spinal cord injury, there are several types of evidence to collect and present to the court to help build your argument. Depending on how your injury occurred, the types of evidence may differ. These can include, but are not limited to:
- Medical records
- Medical tools used in a procedure
- Accident reports
- Public reports
- OSHA records
- Expert testimony
- Photographic evidence
- Eyewitness reports
A spinal cord injury lawyer is needed to help gather this evidence and determine how it can be used to help your case. Evidence such as eyewitness reports can fade from memory, or medical documents can be misplaced, so it is imperative to contact an attorney quickly.
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Full Compensation Goes Beyond Medical Bills
After a life-altering injury like one to your spinal cord, you may need more than just surgery or a few doctor’s appointments. Your day-to-day life can be affected, and you deserve compensation for this change:
- Home Modifications: You may need modifications to your home, such as ramps, accessible showers, new furniture, elevators, etc.
- Mobility Aids: Your ability to walk or stand for long periods of time may have changed. Mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walkers can be expensive and require maintenance and upgrades over time
- Round–the–Clock Care: You may need someone with you 24/7 to help care for you after an injury as detrimental as a spinal cord injury. This could be something temporary or permanent.
In addition to these tangible needs, you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering that you may be experiencing due to your injury, along with the loss of future earnings if it has made it so that you can no longer work or work in the same way.
A spinal cord injury attorney will help capture the full scope of what your injury has caused so that you can recoup the full damages that you are owed.
MartinWren, P.C. is Here to Fight for the Damages You Deserve
There are many reasons why you need a spinal cord injury lawyer after you’ve been hurt. MartinWren, P.C., our mission is to fight on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery.
Schedule your free, no–obligation consultation today and begin reclaiming your life.
Call (434) 817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
