Injuries to the back and spine are common to accident victims, such as those involved in car, SUV, minivan or truck accidents. Victims of SUV rollover accidents are particularly susceptible to back, neck and spine injuries. Spinal cord injuries can be quite serious since the spinal cord is made up of the bundle of nerves that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body for movement and sensation. A seemingly minor injury to the spinal cord can affect mobility. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the injury. The severity of the symptoms depends on whether the entire cord is severely injured (complete) or only partially injured (incomplete). Symptoms that are common to any type of spinal cord injury include: Pain, weakness, loss of normal bowel and bladder control, numbness, sensory changes, and paralysis. Fortunately, under New York law victims who suffer serious spinal cord injuries in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, construction accidents or other types of accidents due to the negligence of others are entitled to seek damages through a personal injury claim. If you or a family member suffered a spinal cord and would like more information about what to expect, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced New York Spinal Cord Injuries FAQs Lawyer who answer your questions regarding your legal options for seeking compensation from the person responsible for your injury.
What are the Most Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?Common conditions that result from trauma to the spinal cord include: paraplegia, quadriplegia, anterior cord syndrome, central cord syndrome, tetraplegia, and herniated disks.
What is the Difference Between a Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury?A “complete” spinal cord injury is an injury that leaves the victim with the complete loss of function below the point of the injury. On the other hand, an “incomplete” injury refers to a spinal cord injury that leaves the victim with some feeling or movement below the point of injury.
Besides Auto Accidents, What are the Most Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?While auto accidents are one of the most causes of spinal cord injuries, other causes include:
Under New York law, if the spinal cord injury was caused by the negligence or intentional act of another person or entity, it may be possible to hold the negligent person accountable through a personal injury lawsuit. For example, you may receive damages for both your past and future medical expenses. Medical expenses including emergency room services, hospital stay, surgery, prescriptions and rehabilitation.
You also may be entitled to receive damages to cover your lost wages if you miss work while you recover. Lost wages includes the paychecks you miss as well as the value of sick and vacation days that you used during your recovery. If as a result of your injury you are unable to earn the amount of money you otherwise would have, you may be entitled to damages for loss of earning capacity. The physical and emotional pain that you endured are also compensable in a personal injury lawsuit.
It is important to understand that New York has strict time limits for filing a personal injury claim. If you miss the deadline, you will be forever barred from seeking compensation regardless of the merit of your case.
If the injury occurred at work, 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.
New York Spinal Cord Injuries FAQs LawyerA serious injury to the spinal cord can be life-changing and even life-threatening. Such injuries affect not only your physical well-being, but also your ability to work and your ability to interact with your family and friends. If you suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident, contact an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the medical issues associated with back, neck and spinal cord injuries. The staff at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC is experienced in handling personal injury and wrongful death cases stemming from auto, truck, motorcycle, boat, workplace and construction accidents, including victims who have suffered from a spinal cord injury, brain injury, or other serious injury. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We serve those injured in accidents in the following locations: