A spinal cord injury (SCI) sustained in a car crash can be cataclysmic for the victim and the people who care for them. Beyond the immediate physical impact, SCIs often lead to lifelong changes in mobility, independence, and financial stability. The costs associated with spinal cord injuries are significant and can quickly become overwhelming.
Fortunately, victims do have options to pursue compensation through legal claims. Compensation can help cover the tangible financial losses and intangible psychological damages associated with spinal cord injuries. Let’s discuss the compensation after an SCI. Naturally, we’ll also explore what you need to build a case that will result in fair compensation.
Types of Compensation You Can Receive After a Spinal Cord Injury
After a spinal cord injury, expenses start piling up immediately. Medical expenses can be devastating, especially for low-income families or those without premium health insurance. Compensation is key for protecting victims and their families from catastrophic financial losses. However, compensation doesn’t only reimburse you for expenses. It is also there to compensate you for the psychological damage done by the accident and your injuries.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to the quantifiable financial losses resulting from a spinal cord injury. Proving these losses requires extensive documentation, such as medical bills, receipts, and quotes. Monetary damages are typically the main reason for filing a claim, as the cost of treating and managing such a severe injury can be overwhelming, even with health insurance.
Medical Expenses: Often the most substantial component of a spinal cord injury claim, medical expenses can be extensive. Medical bills can have a profound impact on an accident victim’s financial security. Emergency care, surgeries, diagnostic testing, experimental interventions, regular follow-ups, and physical therapy are some of the most common medical expenses that spinal cord injury victims have to manage.
Loss of Income: Many SCI victims are unable to return to their jobs, leading to lost wages and employment benefits, job retraining costs, and diminished earning capacity. Compensation can cover past and future lost income resulting from the victim’s reduced ability to work or the need to change careers. Missed annual bonuses, commissions, promotions, and career growth opportunities must all be considered for fair compensation.
Home and Vehicle Modification: To maintain their independence and quality of life, accident victims living with spinal cord injuries often need to modify their homes and vehicles. Installing ramps, widening doorways, adapting bathrooms, and purchasing wheelchair-accessible vehicles are standard requirements for SCI survivors. Modifications can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, but they are critical for SCI patients.
Long-Term Care: Lifelong in-home care is often necessary for spinal cord injury survivors. SCIs can lead to permanent physical and cognitive disabilities and paralysis, making the victim unable to care for themselves. Family and friends usually can’t stop working to care for the person, so they must hire additional medical support. Long-term care can be costly, and when required for life, the cost can be unmanageable for most families.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intangible, subjective losses that result from a spinal cord injury. These damages are significantly harder to quantify, but they are just as important as financial losses. Non-economic damages can be devastating for the victim and their family, so compensation for these losses is crucial.
Pain and Suffering: SCI victims often endure immense physical pain and emotional distress immediately after the injury and throughout their remaining lives. Compensation for pain and suffering is intended to address the ongoing hardship of physical and mental trauma. It is critical to recognize the impact that an SCI can have on the mental health and overall well-being of an accident survivor.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Spinal cord injuries can limit a person’s ability to participate in activities they enjoy. Sports, hobbies, and simple pleasures, such as cooking, may not be possible after an SCI, leading to a level of anguish that few can relate to.
Furthermore, SCIs can have a tragic impact on the victim’s relationship with their spouse and other family members. Loss of consortium can cause immense psychological trauma for the victim and their loved ones.
How to Build a Strong Case for a Spinal Cord Injury
To maximize compensation for SCI victims, it’s essential to build a strong and compelling legal case. Your case must demonstrate the full extent of your losses and prove the liability of the at-fault party. Documentation, physical evidence, and witness statements are critical elements of a convincing spinal cord injury case.
Maintain Detailed Records
Throughout your treatment and recovery journey, you must keep every document related to your accident and injury. Medical bills, diagnostic images, lost wages, care expenses, vehicle/home medication invoices, and prescriptions are examples of the types of documents you should keep. It can also be highly beneficial to keep a recovery journal that details everything you experience after your injury. No piece of paper or errant thought is irrelevant in SCI cases.
Talk to an Attorney
One of the most important things you can do after a spinal cord injury is consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney. Attorneys can guide you through the legal process and take on the burden of building your case, negotiating for compensation, and defending your rights throughout your case. Legal professionals also have the resources to investigate and substantiate your losses so they cannot be refuted.
Consult With Experts
Expert testimony is a vital part of building a strong SCI case. Experts can help your attorney to accurately quantify your economic and non-economic damages so that you receive compensation that will make a significant difference in your life and support your financial future.
Medical Experts: Doctors, surgeons, psychiatrists, and physical therapists can provide detailed assessments of your injuries, your prognosis, and the necessity for ongoing medical care. Expert input is essential to establish a connection between your injuries and the accident. Experts can demonstrate the impact of your injury on your life. They can also explain what your maximum recovery is and which symptoms you will have for the rest of your life.
Financial Experts: Economists, care planners, and specialists in your field can help your attorney calculate the lifetime costs associated with your injury. They can carefully quantify lost earning capacity, future promotions, and the need for impending medical care. Experts can verify that you receive adequate compensation that covers all financial damages.
Supporting Your Future With SCI Compensation
Spinal cord injuries can be life-altering and introduce a host of financial, physical, and emotional challenges. Compensation can provide crucial support by covering medical expenses, lost income, home modifications, and long-term care. If you have experienced an SCI, contact HHJ Trial Attorneys.
Our experienced legal professionals are ready to help you develop a strong case. We will fight to secure the compensation you deserve. While no amount of money can restore what has been lost, compensation can help you and your family move forward with financial security and dignity.
