The consequences of a spinal cord injury can stay with you for years, if not permanently. You may be dealing with a new reality and quality of life when you suffer a serious spinal cord injury, not to mention significant financial expenses associated with your recovery and any necessary ongoing care.
A Las Vegas spinal cord injury lawyer at Shook & Stone knows how to protect your rights when someone else’s negligence causes you harm. Our experienced catastrophic injury attorneys could help you file your case on time while aggressively seeking any compensation you may be entitled to.
Frequent Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur from multiple types of incidents, some of which stem from negligence and others from a willful disregard for the safety of others. Common causes of spinal cord injuries include motor vehicle accidents, such as:
Other commonly reported causes of spinal cord injuries include premises liability accidents, such as slip and fall incidents. In other cases, severe trauma to the body resulting in a spinal cord injury could arise from an intentional act, such as a gunshot wound or assault. Medical negligence, such as a mistake by a doctor or surgeon, can also result in serious damage to the spinal cord.
The severity of a spinal cord injury can be based on numerous factors, including the location of the damage to the spinal column. For instance, an injury to the cervical spine can result in a complete loss of function and feeling in the affected areas. Cervical spinal cord injuries can lead to total paralysis of all the extremities and from the neck down, commonly known as quadriplegia.
Even when a spinal cord injury is not permanent, the financial, physical, and emotional toll associated with recovery can be staggering. Our compassionate Las Vegas spinal cord injury attorneys could help an injured party file a legal claim to recover the value of these damages.
Building a Civil Claim After a Spinal Cord Injury
Our skilled lawyers in Las Vegas could help someone suffering from spinal cord trauma prove liability for the accident that caused them harm. Often, a spinal cord injury occurs because of another person’s negligence. There are four separate elements that an injured plaintiff must prove to seek compensation based on the legal theory of negligence. These include:
- A legal duty existed between the defendant and the plaintiff
- The defendant violated their legal duty to the plaintiff, either by their action or inaction
- The defendant’s violation of their legal duty was the cause of the plaintiff’s injury
- The plaintiff’s injury resulted in damages that can be compensated
For instance, suppose a plaintiff sustained a spinal cord injury in an auto accident because of a reckless driver. All drivers have a duty to observe the laws of the road and exert reasonable care when operating their vehicles. When a driver does not drive with proper care and causes an accident, and the plaintiff suffers a spinal cord injury, that reckless driver could be liable for all resulting damages, and their insurance company could be ordered to pay the plaintiff compensation.
This is just an example. Our knowledgeable spinal cord injury lawyers in Las Vegas could provide guidance as to the most appropriate course of action in a particular case. A successful civil claim could enable someone with a spinal cord injury to recoup the cost of their lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Get in Touch With a Las Vegas Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
While the extent and severity of a spinal cord injury can vary widely, you could have a legal right to compensation when someone else’s reckless or willful act is behind the incident that caused you harm. A Las Vegas spinal cord injury lawyer at Shook & Stone could review your potential case and advise you on your best legal options.
Our dedicated team of attorneys could also collect the documentation and evidence needed to support your claim for compensation, so you can focus on your recovery. Call our office today for a free, confidential review of your case.
