In addition to a brain injury and broken bones, a spinal cord injury is one of the most serious types of injuries that a victim can suffer. Spinal cord injury involves a cut, bruise or some other type of trauma to the bones or nerves that are part of the spinal cord resulting in reduced function in some part of the body. There are many types of spinal cord injuries, all of which can generally be classified as complete injuries or incomplete injuries. A “complete” spinal cord injury is an injury that leaves the victim with the complete loss of function below the point of the injury, while an “incomplete” injury refers to a spinal cord injury that leaves the victim with some feeling or movement below the point of injury. Many incomplete spinal cord injuries are caused by trauma from accidents such as car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, construction accidents, slip and fall accidents, or sports injuries. In other cases the injury is suffered in an act of medical malpractice. Victims of spinal cord injuries typically suffer financially as they have to face substantial medical bills while they are unable to go to work. However, New York law allows those injured due to the negligence of another person or entity to seek damages from that person. If you sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury due to the negligence or intentional act of another person or entity, contact an experienced New York Incomplete Injuries Lawyer who will review the facts of your case and explain to you the process for file a personal injury claim in order to pursue compensation from those responsible for your injuries.
Types of Incomplete InjuriesThere are 4 types of complete spinal cord injuries.
Anterior cord syndrome is characterized by trauma to the front of the spinal cord, resulting in impaired movement, touch, pain, and temperature sensations below the point of injury.
Central cord syndrome is characterized by trauma to the center of the spinal cord, resulting in some movement in the legs and loss of function in the arms.
Posterior cord syndrome is characterized by trauma to the back of the spinal cord, resulting in poor coordination.
Brown-Sequard syndrome is characterized by damage to one side of the spinal cord, resulting in a loss of movement on one side of the body.
Pursuing Compensation for a Spinal Cord InjuryIf you were injured in an accident or by an intentional act that resulted in a spinal cord injury, under New York law you have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. Victims who suffer from spinal cord injuries typically have significant medical bills. Such bills include not only emergency room and hospital bills related to treatment immediately after the accident, but also include what is often long-term physical therapy that is required to help the victim be able to regain muscle strength and the ability to perform activities of daily living. In addition, because spinal cord injury victims often have to miss a great deal of work or are unable to return to work at all, victims have the right to sue for lost wages and loss of earning capacity.
It is important to understand that New York law has a specific time limit for filing a claim in a spinal cord injury case. If you do not file your claim within the time period, you will be forever barred from collecting damages even if your case has merit. In addition, if the party responsible for your injury was a government entity then there are special procedures you must follow to file a claim.
If your spinal cord injury was the result of a work-related accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Compensation often comes in the form of medical expenses, lost income and benefits, loss of ability to earn, and more. However, it is important to know that worker’s compensation benefits are limited. Just because the accident occurred at work does not necessarily mean that you are limited to the benefit available through workers’ compensation.
New York Incomplete Injuries LawyerIf you suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident it is important that you contact an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the medical issues associated with injuries to the spine. Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC is experienced in handling personal injury cases stemming from auto, truck, motorcycle, boat, and construction accidents, as well as wrongful death, product liability and medical malpractice claims. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.