Hagerstown Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Attorney for Spine Injuries and Paralysis in Hagerstown, Maryland

Spinal cord injuries are some of the most severe and life-altering injuries a person can experience. These injuries can lead to permanent paralysis, loss of mobility, and a range of other physical and emotional challenges. In many cases, spinal cord injuries are the result of accidents caused by the negligence of others, such as motor vehicle collisions, falls, or medical malpractice. In these situations, victims may be entitled to compensation to cover the extensive costs of medical care, rehabilitation, and other damages.

Spinal cord injuries often require a lifetime of medical care and personal assistance, making them incredibly costly for victims and their families. At Serafini Law, our experienced personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for these costs and ensure that the person or parties responsible for your injury are held accountable.

We understand the challenges faced by spinal cord injury victims and their families, and we are dedicated to providing compassionate and skilled legal representation in these situations. Our attorney will work closely with medical experts, life care planners, and other professionals to build a strong case on your behalf and secure the compensation you need to cope with the long-term effects of your injury.

The Serious Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord may be damaged through a direct impact in an accident or through secondary complications such as swelling or compression. These injuries can disrupt the communication between the brain and the rest of the body, resulting in paralysis, loss of bodily function, mobility issues, and other impairments. The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on the location and extent of the damage, with injuries higher up on the spine typically causing more significant impairments.

Some of the most serious effects of spinal cord injuries include:

• Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia): This condition involves paralysis of all four limbs, as well as the torso. People with quadriplegia often experience a complete loss of motor function and sensation below the neck, and they may also lose the ability to breathe on their own. In severe cases, victims may require permanent assistance with basic functions such as eating, dressing, and personal care, as well as the use of ventilators or other medical equipment.
• Paraplegia: This form of paralysis affects the lower half of the body, and it is typically caused by spinal cord injuries in the middle or lower back. People with paraplegia may lose the ability to walk or control movement in their legs, but they may retain the full use of their upper body. However, they may still require a wheelchair or other mobility aids, as well as ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation.
• Partial Paralysis: In some cases, spinal cord injuries result in incomplete paralysis, where the victim may retain some level of movement or sensation below the point of injury. While partial paralysis may allow for some mobility, victims may still face significant challenges in their daily lives, including difficulty walking, limited coordination, and chronic pain.
• Loss of Bodily Function: In addition to loss of movement, spinal cord injuries can cause a range of other complications, such as loss of bladder and bowel control, sexual dysfunction, and impaired respiratory function. These effects can greatly impact a person's quality of life and may require ongoing medical treatment and personal care.
• Chronic Pain: Many spinal cord injury victims suffer from ongoing pain and discomfort, either due to nerve damage or muscle spasms caused by the injury. This pain can be debilitating and may require long-term pain management therapies.

The physical, emotional, and financial toll of spinal cord injuries can be overwhelming. Victims often face a lifetime of medical treatments, rehabilitation, and assistance with daily activities, and they may be unable to work or participate in the activities they once enjoyed. Given the long-term impact of these injuries, it is essential for victims to determine how to recover compensation that reflects the full extent of their losses.

Compensation Available for Spinal Cord Injury Victims

In situations where a spine injury or paralysis was caused by someone else's negligence, victims may be entitled to compensation to help cover these costs. Depending on the circumstances of the case, the types of compensation available may include:

• Medical Expenses: This includes compensation for all medical treatment related to a spinal cord injury, such as emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. Because spinal cord injuries often require ongoing care, compensation should also account for future medical expenses, including the costs of specialized equipment like wheelchairs or home modifications.
• Lost Wages: Many spinal cord injury victims are unable to work for an extended period, if at all, following their injury. Compensation for lost wages can cover the income lost during the recovery period. In cases where the injury results in permanent disability, victims may also be entitled to compensation for the loss of future earning capacity, which reflects the inability to earn an income in the future.
• Pain and Suffering: Spinal cord injuries often result in significant physical pain and emotional distress. Compensation for pain and suffering is meant to address the impact of the injury on the victim's quality of life, including the emotional toll of living with paralysis or other long-term disabilities.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Spinal cord injuries can drastically reduce a person's ability to participate in activities they once enjoyed, such as sports, hobbies, or spending time with family. Compensation for loss of enjoyment of life is meant to address these non-economic damages.
• Disability and Loss of Independence: Victims of spinal cord injuries may require permanent assistance with daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, or eating. Compensation can help cover the costs of in-home care, assisted living facilities, or other forms of personal assistance that may be necessary.
• Home Modifications and Adaptive Equipment: In many cases, spinal cord injury victims will need modifications to their homes to accommodate their new physical limitations, such as wheelchair ramps, widened doorways, or specialized bathroom equipment. Compensation can help cover these costs, as well as the cost of adaptive equipment like wheelchairs, lifts, or motorized scooters.

Contact Our Hagerstown, MD Spine Injury Attorney

When a spinal cord injury has been caused by someone else's negligence, you can take legal action to recover financial compensation. Serafini Law can provide the help you need in this situation, and we will fight to achieve justice for the harm your family has suffered. Arrange a free consultation today by contacting us at 240-744-1600.