After sustaining a neck or back injury, you may be wondering how much money your spinal cord suit is worth. Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer. Each case is unique, and no two settlements or court awards will be the same.
The amount of your settlement is based on a variety of factors. But as long as you have a qualified lawyer on your side, you can feel confident that you will receive fair compensation for your spinal cord injuries.
If you sustained the injury as the result of another’s fault you may be entitled to receive compensation for all of your losses, including pain and suffering, mental anguish, medical bills, and lost wages. To determine the total value of your damages, work with a legal professional.
Determining How Much Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim Is Worth
No accident lawsuit is the same, which is why it’s best to pursue spinal cord damages with a qualified and experienced personal injury lawyer. An attorney will review your claim, gather and preserve evidence, establish liability, and determine the total value of your damages.
When defining your lawsuit’s worth, your lawyer will evaluate five major factors.
1. The Severity of Your Injuries
A spinal injury can be minor, such as soft tissue damage, or it can be so severe that it leads to permanent paralysis. The type of treatments, financial losses, and emotional pain you endure increases with the severity of your neck and back injury. Therefore, the value of your claim depends upon the severity of your spine damage.
However, certain factors can make your injuries appear less severe and prevent you from securing the settlement you deserve. They include:
- Pre-existing conditions: The opposing side may argue that your injuries existed before the accident.
- Lack of diagnostic tests: Medical records and testing prove the scope of your spinal cord damage.
- Fast recovery time: A quick recovery can make your spinal cord injuries appear less severe.
- Legal representation: The quality of your legal counsel often affects settlement amounts.
A skilled accident lawyer will use medical records and consult with healthcare professionals to prove the extent of your spinal cord injuries. In addition, they will demonstrate the need for future medical care and the impact the injuries have on your quality of life. All of these factors increase the total compensation you can receive for your claim.
2. Total Medical Expenses
Treating a spinal cord injury is expensive. Research shows that the costs of living with SCI can range from $1 million to over $4 million throughout a person’s lifetime.
Treatments include:
- Emergency room visits
- Diagnostic tests (such as MRI and CT scans)
- Hospital stays and surgeries
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Medical aids (like a wheelchair)
A spinal cord lawyer can consult with doctors and specialists to estimate the total cost of your current and future medical treatments.
3. Amount of Missed Work
When preparing a settlement for your spinal cord injury claim, you must factor in lost wages and benefits due to missed work. Even a full or partial recovery from neck and back injuries can lead to substantial lost wages. In the event of a permanent disability, your financial losses could be catastrophic.
A lawyer can work with your employer and union to calculate the total amount of all lost wages and benefits.
4. Permanent Bodily Injuries
If your spinal cord damage is so severe that it causes permanent injuries, your settlement may increase. Multipliers increase based on:
- Length of recovery and medical treatment
- Amount of pain and suffering
- Visibility of disfigurement
- Impact on work and daily activities
- Future pain and suffering
A personal injury attorney will factor all necessary costs and emotional losses into your claim.
5. Emotional Pain
Your spinal cord attorney will factor emotional pain into your total settlement. If your injury leads to chronic pain, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment of life, your compensation may increase.
Types of Damages to Sue for in a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit
Compensation may include both economic and non-economic damages. If the injury was intentional or due to reckless behavior, you may also be able to collect punitive damages.
Economic Damages to Cover Financial Losses
- Medical bills
- Medications
- Rehabilit ation
- Home modifications
- Lost wages and benefits
- Diminished future earnings
- Transportation costs
Non-Economic Damages to Compensate for Physical and Emotional Pain
Non-economic damages are intangible losses that constitute physical and psychological pain. They include:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Non-economic damages are difficult to prove, and they often make up a large portion of a final personal injury settlement.. To ensure you receive all the non-economic damages you deserve, let a spinal cord injury lawyer fight for your compensation.
