Upper Marlboro Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Damage to the spinal cord is one of the most traumatic and life-changing results of an accident, as it almost always results in permanent and physically debilitating harm. Unfortunately, the unique severity of this type of injury makes it especially challenging to build a comprehensive personal injury claim around. This is particularly true if you have little or no prior experience with civil litigation.
Guidance from a seasoned Upper Marlboro spinal cord injury lawyer could make a substantial difference in your ability to enforce your right to recovery following such a devastating incident. From beginning to end of your legal proceedings, your capable catastrophic injury attorney could work diligently to preserve your rights and pursue the best possible resolution to your case.
What Makes Spine Trauma Especially Dangerous?
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves enclosed within the spine’s vertebrae that connects the brain to the central nervous system and vice versa. Unfortunately, one of the many unique elements of the spinal cord compared to other body parts is the fact that it cannot heal from damage by itself. Two main factors determine the severity of such an injury: the “completeness” of the injury and the location on the spine where it occurred.
An external impact that results in the spinal cord being entirely severed—known as a “complete” spinal cord injury—is invariably permanent and results in total loss of sensory and motor function below the injury site. Even comparatively minor “incomplete” injuries that involve slight tearing, twisting, or bruising of the spinal cord can require years of rehabilitative therapy and surgical intervention for an individual to have a chance at long-term recovery.
Spinal cord injuries closer to the neck may cause quadriplegia or total paralysis below the neck. Injuries to the middle or lower back may cause paraplegia of the lower limbs and torso. Even the mildest possible spinal cord injury can still be expensive to treat and immensely disruptive to an injured person’s life, making assistance from an Upper Marlboro attorney especially crucial to ensuring fair recovery.
Common Types of Accidents that Result in Spinal Cord Trauma
A spinal cord injury can occur from a variety of incidents. Some of the most common include car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, pedestrian collisions, bicycle wrecks, construction accidents, and even medical negligence.
Recovering Comprehensively Within Filing Deadlines
Because spinal cord injuries generally have permanent consequences, comprehensive civil claims must account for past and future losses relative to the claim’s initial filing date. This means demanding restitution for:
- Emergency medical bills
- All costs of future care
- Home or vehicle modifications
- Long and short-term lost earning capacity
- Physical and psychological pain
- Lost quality of life
Unfortunately, the cap on non-economic recovery set by Maryland Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 3-2A-09 applies even in cases based on catastrophic injuries, as does the three-year filing deadline established under MD Code, C&JP § 5-101. A seasoned attorney’s support can be vital to understanding the impact these rules might have on an Upper Marlboro spinal cord injury case and navigating around them as efficiently as possible.
Talk to an Upper Marlboro Spinal Cord Injury Attorney About Your Legal Options
Regardless of how negligent behavior specifically led to spinal cord trauma, the unique severity of this type of injury makes pursuing civil compensation afterward a virtual necessity. Without a dedicated legal representative’s assistance, you may have trouble obtaining any restitution whatsoever, let alone the amount necessary to cover all your short-term and long-term damages.
A conversation with an Upper Marlboro spinal cord injury lawyer could offer much-needed clarity about your rights and options during this uncertain time. Call today to set up a meeting.
