Brooklyn Spinal Injury Lawyer

Spinal cord injuries are often the result of either negligence or an intentional act of violence. For example, such injuries often occur in an accident such as a truck, SUV, minivan or car accident. Victims of SUV rollover accidents are particularly susceptible to back, neck and spine injuries. Such injuries also result from medical mistakes. For example, if a doctor misdiagnoses a condition, causes a birth injury or makes a surgical error and as a result the patient’s spinal cord is injured, then that doctor would have committed medical malpractice. Spinal cord injuries can be quite serious as even a seemingly minor injury to the spinal cord can affect mobility and require long-term, costly treatment. Fortunately, under New York law victims who suffer a spinal cord injury as well as other serious injuries such as a brain injury to seek damages from the negligent party 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 Brooklyn Pain Injury Lawyer who answer your questions regarding your legal options for seeking compensation from the person responsible for your injury.

Common conditions that result from trauma to the spinal cord include: paraplegia, quadriplegia, anterior cord syndrome, central cord syndrome, tetraplegia, and herniated disks.

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.

While auto accidents are one of the most causes of spinal cord injuries, other causes include:

• Falls
• Bicycle accidents
• Construction site accidents
• Sports injuries
• Playground accidents
• Violent assaults, including gunshot or knife wounds
• Medical malpractice
• Birth injury

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.

A 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 or a family member suffered a spinal cord injury due to another person’s negligence, 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.