Spinal cord injuries can be extremely devastating. When especially severe, they can affect your ability to move, feel, and perform basic daily tasks. Since the spinal cord transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body, any damage can result in paralysis, loss of sensation, and other serious consequences.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in Flint due to someone else’s negligence, you may feel overwhelmed by the challenges ahead. Medical bills and rehabilitation costs are often staggering, and when you’re unable to work, the financial and emotional pressure can be intense. An experienced, compassionate attorney at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. can make all the difference during such a challenging time.
Why Choose Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case?
At Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., we have a long history of representing injury victims and their families in Flint and throughout Michigan. Here are just a few of the reasons why you can trust us to handle your spinal cord injury case:
- Proven Track Record: We have successfully represented countless accident victims in Michigan and obtained favorable settlements and verdicts on their behalf. We refuse to settle for anything less than what you need to move forward.
- Client-Oriented Service: We believe that every client deserves personalized attention and care. You will work directly with our experienced attorneys, who will listen to you, answer your questions, and help you make the right decision at each stage of your lawsuit.
- Compassionate Representation: We understand the emotional toll that a spinal cord injury can take on you and your family. Our team is here to provide not only legal support but also the compassion and understanding you need during this difficult time.
- Aggressive Advocacy: When it comes to fighting for your rights, we are relentless. We will stand up to insurance companies, negligent parties, and their legal teams to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can result from various accidents and incidents, most of which are preventable. They include:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents are the leading causes of spinal cord injuries. The impact of a collision can cause severe trauma to the spinal cord, especially in high-speed or head-on collisions.
- Falls: Falls from significant heights can result in serious spinal cord injuries. This risk is especially common in workplaces (especially in construction) and in public places where hazards are not properly addressed.
- Sports Injuries: Contact sports, such as football, rugby, and wrestling, can result in spinal cord injuries if proper safety measures are not followed.
- Medical Malpractice: In some cases, spinal cord injuries result from medical negligence during surgeries, improper administration of anesthesia, or misdiagnosis. These cases require thorough investigation to establish liability.
- Acts of Violence: Assaults, gunshot wounds, and other violent acts can cause life-altering spinal cord injuries. In such cases, both criminal and civil actions may be pursued to seek justice.
Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are categorized according to the location and severity of the damage. Here are some common types:
- Complete Spinal Cord Injury: A complete injury results in total loss of motor function and sensation below the level of the injury. This type of injury can lead to paraplegia or quadriplegia, depending on the exact location of the damage.
- Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: In an incomplete injury, there is still some degree of sensation or motor function below the injury site. These injuries are more common than complete ones and can vary widely in their impact.
- Tetraplegia/Quadriplegia: This injury, which involves paralysis of all four limbs and the torso, usually results from damage to the cervical (neck) region of the spinal cord. It can also affect the respiratory muscles, requiring ventilator support.
- Paraplegia: Paraplegia is paralysis of the lower half of the body, including both legs. It typically results from catastrophic injuries to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions of the spinal cord.
- Anterior Cord Syndrome: This type of incomplete injury affects the front portion of the spinal cord and may lead to loss of motor function and pain/temperature sensation while preserving some sense of touch.
- Central Cord Syndrome: This is the most common form of incomplete spinal cord injury and primarily affects the arms, hands, and shoulders. It often results from trauma that causes damage to the center of the spinal cord.
- Brown-Séquard Syndrome: This is a rare form of spinal cord injury where one side of the spinal cord is damaged, leading to loss of movement on the injured side of the body and loss of sensation on the opposite side.
The Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury can dramatically alter the course of your life. Depending on the severity and location of the injury, you may experience partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and other complications. In addition to paraplegia and quadriplegia, complications can include:
- Loss of Bladder and Bowel Control: Injury to the spinal cord can disrupt the nerves that control bladder and bowel function, resulting in incontinence.
- Chronic Pain: Some individuals with spinal cord injuries experience severe and persistent pain, known as neuropathic pain, which can be difficult to manage.
- Secondary Complications: People with spinal cord injuries are at increased risk of developing secondary complications, such as pressure sores, respiratory infections, and blood clots.
Adjusting to life with a disability requires significant changes, and the financial burden can be overwhelming. Medical expenses, rehabilitation, home modifications, and lost wages can quickly add up, making it difficult to move forward without assistance.
How a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Can Help
Depending on the severity of your spinal cord injury, you could need millions of dollars to cover your permanent care, home modifications, and long-term rehabilitation. You can count on Flint spinal cord injury lawyers to fight for the maximum compensation possible, so you can regain some stability and dignity after the accident.
Here are some of the ways we can assist you:
- Case Evaluation and Investigation: The first step in any legal case is to thoroughly evaluate the facts and circumstances surrounding your injury. Our team will collect evidence, interview witnesses, and consult medical experts to build a solid case.
- Determining Liability: Establishing who is at fault for your injury is crucial to securing monetary compensation. Whether your injury was caused by a negligent driver, a property owner who failed to maintain safe conditions or a healthcare provider who made an error, we will work diligently to identify all liable parties.
- Calculating Damages: Severe injuries to the spinal cord often result in long-term and immediate financial losses. We will work with experts to assess the full extent of your damages, including medical treatment expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and future care needs.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts to injury victims. Our experienced spinal cord injury attorneys are skilled negotiators who will advocate on your behalf to secure a fair settlement. If necessary, we are prepared to take your case to court to get the results you need.
- Providing Compassionate Support: We understand that a spinal cord injury affects not just the injured individual but their entire family. Our personal injury lawyers are here to provide compassionate support and guidance from the moment you retain our law firm until your case concludes.
Pursuing Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries
In order to recover compensation for your spinal cord injury, you need to file a lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to pursue financial compensation for the following:
- Medical Care Expenses: This includes both current and future medical costs related to your injury, such as hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and assistive devices like wheelchairs and home modifications.
- Lost Wages: If your injury has left you unable to work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This includes not only the income you have already lost but also the future income you would have earned had the injury not occurred.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: In cases where the injury has permanently diminished your ability to earn a living, you may be entitled to compensation for the loss of earning capacity. This takes into account your age, education, skills, and the nature of your injury.
- Pain and Suffering: Injuries to the spine can cause physical pain as well as emotional distress. This compensation is intended to address these non-economic damages, recognizing the profound impact the injury has on your quality of life.
- Loss of Consortium: In some cases, the spouse of an injured person may be entitled to compensation for the loss of companionship, affection, and sexual relations resulting from the injury.
Every spinal cord injury case is different, and the amount of compensation you may receive depends on the specifics of your case. Our personal injury lawyers will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation available under the law.
FAQs
How Long Do I Have To File A Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit In Michigan?
In Michigan, you generally have three years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, including those involving spinal cord injuries. This time limit is important because once it passes, you may lose the ability to pursue compensation for your injury. However, there are specific situations that could affect this timeline.
For instance, if your spinal cord injury wasn’t immediately noticeable—like in cases where symptoms appear later—the countdown might start from the date you became aware of the injury. This situation often arises in medical malpractice cases where the full impact of an injury may not be apparent right away.
If your injury involves a government entity, such as a city vehicle or public hospital, the rules can be different. In these cases, you might need to notify the government of your intent to file a personal injury claim within a much shorter period, sometimes as little as six months. Missing this earlier deadline could prevent you from filing a lawsuit altogether.
There are also scenarios where the clock may be paused, or “tolled.” For example, if the injured person is a minor or legally unable to make decisions at the time of the injury, the deadline may be extended until they reach legal adulthood or regain capacity.
Given these variations, it’s important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. A personal injury attorney can help ensure that you meet all necessary deadlines and preserve your right to seek compensation.
Can I Afford To Hire A Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?
At Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., we understand that the aftermath of a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming—not just physically and emotionally, but financially as well. Medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and the potential loss of income can put a significant strain on you and your family. The last thing you should have to worry about is how to afford legal representation. That’s why we offer our services on a contingency fee basis.
With a contingency arrangement, you don’t have to pay any legal fees upfront. In fact, you won’t owe us anything unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. This structure allows you to pursue justice without the fear of added financial stress. Our goal is to make quality legal representation accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
Get a Free Consultation From a Flint Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, act quickly to get the help you need. The sooner you take action, the sooner we can start working to secure the compensation that can make a difference in your recovery and your future. For more information or to schedule an initial consultation with a Flint spinal cord injury lawyer, please call the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. at 810-546-3299 or contact our Flint law office online today.
