Lincoln Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Spinal cord injuries typically stem from a blow that dislocates or fractures the bone discs or vertebrae that comprise and protect the spine. Spinal cord injuries could stem from motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle collisions, trucking accidents, bicycle crashes, and on-the-job injuries, among other things. After a life-changing injury caused by another’s negligence, a Lincoln spinal cord injury lawyer can help seek justice against those responsible.

A committed catastrophic injury lawyer could increase the chances of a claim reaching a successful conclusion. Throughout the procedure, the Berry Law team can strenuously assert the rights of their clients and safeguard their interests.

Why Choose Berry Law for a Spinal Cord Injury Claim

Berry Law is composed of an ample team of dedicated personal injury lawyers. We are proud to represent injury victims in Nebraska and across the nation, leveraging our vast legal knowledge to the benefit of our clients. Through our efforts, we have been able to routinely achieve substantial victories, including multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, for those injured by others’ negligence. One look at our case results will tell you that Berry Law is a team of champions who fight alongside our clients.

Our team understands that spinal cord injuries are some of the most severe repercussions from an unforeseen accident that one can face. Their devastation is only matched by the complexity of these cases. Throughout the process, we maintain open and transparent communication about the process and what plaintiffs can expect from their injury claim.

Partnering with Berry Law means firm dedication, seasoned guidance, and a team with a history of commitment to its practice and results.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Lincoln

Damage to the neck, back, and spine can occur from various accidents. Some of the cases we frequently see that involve spinal injury include:

• Pedestrian, motorcycle, truck, and car accidents: A severe car accident can leave survivors with long-term injuries and complications. Spinal cord injuries are some of the most common reasons why a motor vehicle accident victim might acquire a permanent disability after a crash.
• Construction site accidents: Construction zones pose many dangers that can amplify the risk of a spine injury. Falling scaffolding, large machinery, and industrial vehicles can all lead to devastating accidents, especially when negligence is involved. Depending on the nature of the construction accident, injured workers may be able to pursue compensation through either their employer or through a civil suit against a third party responsible for the damage.
• Slips, trips, and falls: While many consider slip and fall accidents to be comparatively less severe than others, the truth is that they can lead to serious and even catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord damage. A premises liability claim is typically the avenue through which injured victims pursue compensation in these cases.

Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

There are many different kinds of spinal cord injuries. Common types of spinal cord injuries include:

• Thoracic spinal cord injuries, which frequently lead to leg paralysis or paraplegia
• Cervical spinal cord injuries, which often cause paralysis in both the legs and arms, is known as quadriplegia
• Lumbar spinal cord injuries can also result in paraplegia, often necessitating external stabilization and surgery
• Sacral spinal cord injuries, which could lead to loss of bowel and bladder control, paralysis, or weakness in the legs

The extent of the spinal cord injury depends on whether the damage is incomplete or complete. With an incomplete injury, the spinal cord can still receive and send signals from the brain. In the case of a complete injury, all motor functions and sensations below the area of damage are lost.

Incomplete vs. Complete Spinal Cord Injuries

Generally, a complete spinal cord injury means that the patient will experience a total loss of sensation and muscle control below the site of the injury. Conversely, an incomplete injury means that some function or sensation may still be present. In the latter case, rehabilitation can sometimes offer the possibility of a greater recovery. However, these injuries typically offer no guarantee of to what degree any lost function may be restored.

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury

Depending on the area of the spine affected and the severity of the damage, a spinal cord injury can result in various symptoms. The most common include:

• Pain in the head, neck, or back
• Weakness or paralysis
• Loss of sensation
• Difficulty with movement
• Loss of balance
• Breathing problems
• Loss of bowel or bladder control

Spinal cord injuries can affect many areas of the body besides the spine itself. In addition, spine injury patients often deal with emotional and mental strain following such an injury, with a higher likelihood of experiencing depression and anxiety as a result. Researchers suggest that the incidence of mental health conditions increases by almost 30% following the diagnosis of a spinal cord injury.

Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries

Depending on the type of injury, treatment may include a combination of physical therapy, medication, surgery, and the use of support devices to keep the area around the injury stable and prevent its worsening.

Treatment of spinal cord injuries is improving every day, but there is still no complete cure for this kind of serious damage. However, the use of mobility devices, pain management strategies, physical therapy, and other long-term care can greatly improve the quality of life for many and provide a window of hope. These options are all costly, which is why spinal cord injury victims should actively pursue legal options for recuperating these expenses at the first possible opportunity.

The Cost of a Spinal Cord Injury

Every year in the United States, an estimated 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injury occur. Treatment costs for these conditions can be astronomical, including not only immediate medical treatment and hospitalization, but also long-term care and continued treatments. Wage-earners may struggle to keep up expenses or provide for their loved ones after such an accident. Caretaker responsibilities and lost income can put a strain on families and create a series of challenges for not just the injured person, but also their loved ones. Anyone who finds themselves in such a situation would do well to consider hiring a personal injury lawyer in Lincoln to help pursue compensation for these expenses.

Injured victims who file a lawsuit for damages could face many difficulties. Insurance companies could use many tactics to shift or deny liability and try to lessen the compensation they have to pay. An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer in Lincoln knows these tactics and can fight back.

Financial Recovery

While spinal cord injuries that affect only the individual’s muscles, discs, and vertebrae typically heal with time, injuries impacting the nerves could lead to permanent paralysis. The potential periods of short or long-term disability and considerable recovery time could cause intense financial hardships, especially because of medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation expenses.

Besides the physical, mental, and emotional losses caused by a spinal cord injury, the victim’s personal life could change forever. A skilled spinal cord injury attorney in Lincoln would help the plaintiff recover a variety of damages. Spinal cord injury victims could secure a financial recovery for damages such as:

• Loss of companionship
• Pain and suffering damages
• Medical expenses
• Medications
• Cost of caregiving and assistance
• Mobility aids
• Emotional losses
• Lost future earning potential
• Home modifications

Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Lincoln

Spinal cord injury claims in Lincoln are subject to the state’s statutory deadline for personal injury cases. According to Nebraska Revised Statutes Annotated §25-207, injury victims have four years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party or responsible parties. However, there are circumstances where the statute of limitations is much shorter.  Failure to pursue a case within the applicable statute of limitations could bar the individual from any financial recovery for his or her losses. A dedicated lawyer could help an injured victim determine the applicable deadlines and file a claim within the statute of limitations.

Call a Lincoln Spinal Cord Injury Attorney for Guidance

A Lincoln spinal cord injury lawyer with extensive experience representing victims of catastrophic injuries could help them hold responsible individuals accountable.  Whether via an insurance settlement or in court, an accomplished lawyer can greatly contribute to the chances of securing a satisfactory result. Those who have suffered a spinal cord injury are encouraged to seize this opportunity and start their journey today by scheduling a consultation with our team. The first step can be transformative, leading individuals towards greater accomplishment and success.