Every year, spinal cord injuries forever alter thousands of lives, leaving individuals and their families grappling with profound physical, emotional, and financial challenges. The far-reaching repercussions of such injuries affect the injured person's quality of life and their ability to work, engage in daily activities, and participate in the joys of life that they once took for granted.
As dedicated advocates for the rights of those who have suffered spinal cord injuries at DJC Law Firm, we recognize the unique complexities and demands that these cases entail.
We understand that when a catastrophic event like a spinal cord injury occurs, it's not only a personal ordeal but also a legal journey that requires comprehensive knowledge, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to securing justice.
Why Choose DJC Law Firm
With a collective experience of over 80 years, our team of injury attorneys has achieved recoveries exceeding $50 million throughout their careers representing individuals who have suffered an injury.
Our commitment to delivering skilled representation sets us apart, and our firm possesses the essential resources to confidently stand up against major corporations and insurance giants.
At DJC Law, we are dedicated to handling the intricacies of personal injury law, allowing you to concentrate on shaping your future with peace of mind.
Our mission is to provide you with the insight, guidance, and resources necessary to navigate the complex legal landscape surrounding spinal cord injuries. Whether you or a loved one has suffered such an injury due to a motor vehicle accident, a workplace incident, medical malpractice, or any other form of negligence, we are here to equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your legal rights.
DJC Law's recent successes include the following case results:
- $5.9 million for a child who suffered head injuries after a table fell on her at a restaurant.
- $2.9 million for a pedestrian struck by CapMetro bus
- $2.3 million for three oil field workers who suffered an injury when their employer failed to adequately protect them from a severe weather-related event
- $2.25 million settlement for a trucking accident
Our San Marcos office is conveniently near Monarch Highway at:
2575 North IH 35
Suite 101
San Marcos, TX 78666
Spinal Cord Injury Compensation
Suffering a spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering event. These injuries often significantly damage an individual's quality of life, requiring extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and ongoing support.
In such cases, seeking spinal cord injury compensation becomes essential to alleviate the financial burden and secure the necessary resources for recovery and adaptation to a new way of life.
Compensation for spinal cord injuries aims to provide the injured person with the financial means to cover their immediate and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, ongoing therapy, assistive devices, home modifications, and lost earning potential.
Sadly, these injuries often require a lifetime of care, and the associated expenses can quickly overwhelm the individual and their family.
When pursuing spinal cord injury compensation, we consider:
- Medical expenses: The cost of medical treatment for spinal cord injuries can be exorbitant, including surgeries, hospital stays, medications, medical equipment, and therapy sessions. Compensation should cover both current and future medical needs.
- Rehabilitation and therapy: Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in the recovery process for spinal cord injury patients. Physical, occupational, and other specialized therapies are necessary to regain functionality and adapt to the injury's challenges.
- Assistive devices: Depending on the location and severity of the injury, individuals may require assistive devices such as wheelchairs, braces, mobility aids, and communication devices. Compensation ensures that these devices are accessible without financial strain.
- Home modifications: Spinal cord injury victims often need modifications to their homes to make them wheelchair accessible and accommodating to their needs. Compensation can cover the costs of remodeling bathrooms, doorways, ramps, and other necessary changes.
- Lost earning capacity: Many spinal cord injury survivors cannot return to their previous jobs or earn a living in the same capacity. Their injury compensation should address the loss of earning potential, including future income and benefits.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation also considers the physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the injury. This is a subjective aspect of the claim and can vary depending on individual circumstances.
- Emotional distress: The psychological impact of a spinal cord injury can be significant. Compensation may include damages for emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Loss of consortium: This refers to the impact of the injury on relationships, including spousal relationships. Compensation may go to the spouse for the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy.
Navigating the legal process to secure spinal cord injury compensation requires experienced San Marcos spinal cord injury attorneys. These professionals understand the complexities of such cases, including determining liability, assessing the full extent of damages, and negotiating with insurance companies or pursuing legal action if necessary.
Spinal cord injury compensation varies from case to case, depending on the unique circumstances of each individual case. The severity of the injury, the impact on the person's life, and the degree of negligence by the responsible party all play a role in determining the appropriate compensation amount.
Where Do Spinal Cord Injury Accidents Occur in San Marcos?
SCI can result from various accidents, including car crashes, falls, workplace accidents, and sports-related incidents. No matter the cause, the consequences can be devastating. Depending on the severity and location of the injury, individuals may experience partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, impaired motor function, and a host of other complications.
Spinal cord injuries from motor vehicle accidents can happen at some of San Marcos's most dangerous roads and intersections, such as:
- The intersection of Wonder World Drive and Hunter Road
- The intersection of LBJ Drive and Hopkins Street
Other accidents and incidents that may cause spinal cord injuries can also happen at:
- Santa Rosa Hospital
- San Marcos Medical Center
- Herbert's
- H-E-B
- Walmart
- Stokes Park
- Rio Vista Park
- San Marcos Plaza Park
- Bobcat Stadium
- Gary Sports Complex.
- Five Mile Dam Soccer Complex
- Rio Vista Tennis Courts
- Ramon Lucio Baseball Fields
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can arise from various accidents and incidents, including:
- Car accidents: Motor vehicle collisions, including car, motorcycle, and truck accidents, are among the most common causes of spinal cord injuries. The force of impact during a crash can result in fractures, dislocations, and spinal cord compression.
- Falls: Falls from heights, such as falling off ladders, roofs, stairs, or elevated surfaces, are a common cause of spinal cord injuries, especially among older adults. Falls can lead to fractures or dislocations of the vertebrae.
- Recreational activities and sports: High-impact sports like football, rugby, and gymnastics, as well as activities like diving into shallow water, can result in spinal cord injuries. Players may experience severe impacts or collisions that damage the spinal cord.
- Workplace accidents: Construction sites, industrial settings, and physically demanding jobs can expose workers to the risk of spinal cord injuries. Falls, being struck by objects, or accidents involving heavy machinery can lead to these injuries.
- Acts of violence: Violent acts such as gunshot wounds or knife injuries to the back or neck can directly damage the spinal cord and surrounding structures.
- Medical procedures: In some cases, medical procedures can lead to spinal cord injuries, particularly during spine or neck surgeries. Surgical errors, improper positioning, or medical equipment malfunctions can cause harm to the spinal cord.
- Recreational accidents: Activities like skiing, snowboarding, biking, and horseback riding can result in spinal cord injuries if an individual falls or experiences a collision at high speeds.
- Diving accidents: Diving into shallow water or bodies of water with hidden hazards can cause serious spinal cord injuries, especially if the head hits the bottom or an object underwater.
- Pedestrian accidents: Pedestrians struck by vehicles while walking or crossing roads are vulnerable to spinal cord injuries, particularly if the impact occurs at high speeds.
- Bicycle accidents: Cyclists involved in accidents with vehicles or who experience serious falls can suffer spinal cord injuries due to the force of impact.
- Motorcycle accidents: Motorcycle riders are at a higher risk of spinal cord injuries due to the lack of protection. Collisions with other vehicles or stationary objects can result in severe trauma.
- Boating accidents: Boating accidents involving high-speed collisions, overturning vessels, or accidents involving water sports can lead to spinal cord injuries.
- Industrial accidents: Accidents in industrial settings, such machinery or equipment malfunctions, can result in spinal cord injuries.
Here are some common types of spinal cord injuries:
- Complete spinal cord injury: In a complete SCI, there is a total loss of sensory and motor function below the injury site.; voluntary movement and sensations are absent in the affected areas.
- Incomplete spinal cord injury: In incomplete SCIs, some degree of sensory or motor function remains below the injury level, ranging from minor weakness to near-normal function.
- Tetraplegia (quadriplegia): Loss of function in all four limbs and the trunk due to a spinal cord injury in the cervical (neck) region.
- Paraplegia: Results from an injury to the spinal cord in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions. It leads to the loss of function and sensation in the lower limbs and lower body parts, while the upper body remains unaffected.
- Monoplegia: Involves the paralysis of a single limb due to damage at a specific spinal cord level.
- Hemiplegia: Hemiplegia is characterized by paralysis on one side of the body, typically affecting an arm and a leg on the same side.
- Triplegia: Triplegia involves the paralysis of three limbs. It typically occurs when an injury affects one side of the spinal cord, resulting in paralysis on that side and paralysis of one limb on the opposite side.
Fighting the Insurance Company
Dealing with the aftermath of an SCI and navigating the insurance company's processes can be complex and demanding.
Unfortunately for injured parties and their families, insurance companies operate with a profit-driven mindset, aiming to minimize expenses while maximizing their financial gains.
As a result, they often use strategies to settle claims for the least possible amount, which might not adequately cover your losses and damages. In some instances, they might even attempt to outright deny valid claims.
Rather than assuming that the insurance company will act ethically, enlisting the assistance of an experienced spinal cord injury attorney is the best step to take.
What to Do After an SCI Accident?
Your actions, or lack thereof, following an SCI accident can substantially influence the outcome of your claim.
To optimize your claim's value:
- Adhere to your physician's instructions and medical treatment plan
- Preserve receipts for any medical expenses or other costs directly related to the accident
- Obtain a copy of the police report or any other official documents detailing the accident
- Maintain a journal that chronicles how your injuries and ensuing discomfort impact your daily life and any disrupted plans
- Compile all relevant receipts, reports, journals, and any other documentation associated with the accident to present to your attorney
Contact a San Marcos Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer from DJC Law Firm After Suffering a Life-Changing Injury
Spinal cord injuries are catastrophic events that can have far-reaching physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Compensation will alleviate the financial burden of medical expenses, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and other necessary accommodations for a spinal cord injury.
While compensation cannot undo the injury, it can provide individuals and their families with the resources needed to adapt to their new reality and regain control and independence in their lives.
Suppose you or a loved one has experienced a spinal cord injury. In that case, our spinal cord injury attorneys can navigate the claim process with confidence and clarity.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Our team of dedicated legal professionals is committed to advocating for your rights and ensuring responsible parties are accountable for the harm they caused. We are here to support you, provide you with a strong voice, and work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve.
To schedule your no-obligation spinal cord injury case consultation, contact a personal injury law firm in San Marcos today at (512) 888-9999 or online. Our lawyers are ready to fight for justice for you.