Victims of spinal injuries face a long road to recovery. Often called the highway of the nervous system, the spinal column is simultaneously foundational and fragile: it affects the human body’s most essential functions and is also extremely vulnerable to injuries. No matter how your spine became injured, the medical costs you’ll spend on physical rehabilitation will likely be staggering, and you may struggle with lifelong paralysis.
For all these reasons, it’s imperative that you carefully reconstruct your accident and determine who may be liable for your injuries. At Haines Law, P.C., our team of aggressive catastrophic injury attorneys is well versed in this process, and if you’re entitled to damages, our Pasadena spinal cord injury lawyers can fight on your behalf in court.
Impact of Severe Vertebrae Damage
Anyone who has experienced backbone damage knows how painful it can be. But the true cost of spinal cord injuries extends far beyond the pain itself. If certain parts of the spine are damaged, paraplegia may prevent you from ever enjoying a walk on the beach or a hike in the mountains. Victims of spinal injuries may also need permanent assistance with a range of highly personal bodily functions, from breathing to bladder control. This is an unacceptable burden for anyone to bear, and we’re committed to taking on the parties responsible for your losses.
Some of the most serious outcomes of severe vertebrae damage that warrant the attention of a local spinal cord injury lawyer include:
- Quadriplegia
- Sexual dysfunction
- Difficulty regulating heart rate
- Loss of bowel function
- Failure of core motor skills
- Loss of speaking skills
Common Causes of Spinal Column Injuries in Our Area
To pursue a personal injury lawsuit, you need to have a thorough understanding of the events leading up to your accident. Depending on the reason for your spinal injuries, you may be able to hold one or more parties accountable for your expenses with the professional help and guidance of a Pasadena attorney.
Backbone injuries are most commonly caused by the following:
- Defective products, like car seats
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Bus accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Trampoline accidents
- Acts of violence
- Extreme sports, like bungee jumping
- Slip and fall incidents
- Drunk drivers
What is the Role of Legal Negligence in Pasadena Spinal Injury Cases?
Virtually every claim for damages following a spinal injury requires the plaintiff to prove legal negligence. Proving that a defendant was legally negligent requires you to show that they owed you a certain level of care, breached that care, and thereby caused you to suffer compensable harm in an otherwise preventable accident. A local spinal cord injury attorney at Haines Law can provide crucial guidance and insight during private settlement negotiations or in court if necessary.
Partial Liability
Any accident can be caused by negligence. However, the state of Texas abides by the 51% Comparative Fault Rule, meaning you can only recover damages as long as you are considered to be less than 51% at fault for the accident.
Furthermore, any percentage of fault assigned to you will result in a proportional reduction of your compensatory award. For example, someone found 20% at fault for their spinal cord injury would only be able to recover up to 80% of their total damages.
If you are facing allegations of comparative fault for a backbone injury, the best course of action is to discuss your case with a seasoned litigation team that understands the specifics of personal injury law.
What Damages Are Available after Suffering Vertebrae Damage?
A member of our Pasadena legal team can help you recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages stemming from your vertebrae damage. Economic damages are objective losses like medical bills and lost work wages, while non-economic damages are subjective and include loss of enjoyment of life and emotional trauma.
In cases involving permanent injuries, it’s important to seek compensation for both short- and long-term expenses. For instance, in addition to emergency medical care, a person paralyzed by a spinal cord injury should also seek compensation for specialized, rehabilitative care in the future.
Speak with a Pasadena Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today
Spinal cord damage is one of the most devastating outcomes an accident can have, especially if it leads to permanent disability. If you suffered paralysis or any other serious harm in an accident someone else caused, you should strongly consider pursuing legal action against that individual with our team’s help.
Our qualified Pasadena spinal cord injury lawyers can work tirelessly to get you a favorable out-of-court settlement for your damages and fight for your rights in court if a settlement can’t be reached. Call Haines Law today to learn more in an initial consultation.