Any damage to the spinal cord could lead to lasting and drastic changes in bodily autonomy. Since the spinal cord carries messages from the brain to the rest of the body and vice versa, an injury to any part of it has the potential to impact nearly every function in the body.
While any spinal cord injury victim should seek medical treatment to evaluate their injuries as soon as possible after their accident, you may also wish to connect with an experienced Gary spinal cord injury lawyer to help protect your legal rights. A dedicated catastrophic injury injury attorney may be able to communicate with insurance companies on your behalf or help investigate liability while you focus on healing. Proper legal assistance in these regards could be the key to building a favorable claim for compensation.
Spinal cord injuries can lead to a variety of medical complications. In addition to physical pain, a victim could experience paralysis of their legs, arms, or both. They may also experience sensation and strength issues, including losing the ability to feel pain or temperature.
In addition to changes in their bodies and physical abilities, spinal cord injury victims also often experience changes to their social and occupational situations. Previously independent people may become reliant on those around them, causing relationships with friends and family to change. Victims may also be forced to take time off work, switch jobs, or permanently stop working, any of which may dramatically change their financial situation.
Finally, spinal cord injuries usually require costly initial treatment, including surgery or physical therapy, and many doctors suggest victims receive some level of medical care for the rest of their lives. These expenses can be daunting for many victims, especially those who have lost wages or employment.
Many people struggle to return to their previous state after suffering a severe spinal cord injury – often from a car accident or a bad slip and fall. For some, a full recovery may seem impossible. Fortunately, if another’s actions directly or indirectly caused the accident and resulting injuries, a Gary spinal cord injury lawyer could work to hold that party liable for the harm a victim suffered.
Spinal cord injury victims in Gary should discuss all of the ways their lives have changed since their injury with qualified legal counsel. This information and the facts surrounding the incident that led to the injury could help determine liability. A lawyer could also use this information to quantify what economic and non-economic damages a victim may be entitled to.
Most civil suits in Gary have a filing deadline called a statute of limitations. This deadline helps to ensure that legal filings and claims use recent evidence and memories. If the deadline is missed, a victim may be unable to recover any damages.
Indiana Code §34-11-2-4 sets the statute of limitations for spinal cord injury cases at two years from the incident that caused the injury in question. Anyone who has suffered an injury should seek out a steadfast spinal cord injury lawyer in Gary soon after their injury to discuss a potential claim. Early contact gives ample time to prepare for filing, including evidence collection, investigation, and any potential settlement.
Healing after a spinal cord injury can seem like an uphill battle. However, you do not have to recover alone. A seasoned Gary spinal cord injury lawyer could work on your behalf to deal with insurance companies and work towards a favorable outcome. Reach out today to discuss your situation with a legal professional and learn about potential claims, damages, and recovery.