When negligent behavior leads to an accident and severe injuries, it can have a devastating impact and change every aspect of your life. A painful spinal cord injury is one of the most traumatic that a person will face. The best chance of recovery requires extensive care from highly-trained medical professionals.
This kind of care is costly, and you may not have the ability to return to the same job or back to work at all. If another person’s carelessness caused your accident, the court would hold that party financially responsible. For assistance in collecting compensation from a negligent party, contact a Cleveland spinal cord injury lawyer. An experienced catastrophic injury attorney could review your case and help you collect the damages you are owed to cover all present and future losses.
Recoverable Damages After a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are always expensive because they require extended or lifelong follow-up, as well as expensive medical procedures. They also often require time off work for the short or long term.
Because there are high-cost requirements for treating these injuries, a court will award compensation for damages after proving liability. A skilled Cleveland back and spine attorney could help you get the award amount you need to cover the expenses that relate to the accident. Recovery amounts may cover:
Lost Wages and Future Pay
It is not unusual for a spinal cord injury to permanently keep the party out of work. Awards could also cover short- or long-term disabilities, insurance loss, and the other benefits you would have had through employment.
Current and Future Medical Bills
Hospital bills, doctor visits, physical therapy, and long-term medical care are costly. After proving liability, the settlement will cover all of these medical costs and any other expenses related to the injury.
Pain, Suffering, and Mental Anguish
Because spinal cord damage and injuries are severe and often cause the person to change their lives, many suffer from mental anguish, as well as lingering pain. This form of damages could also cover the loss of enjoyment of life, inconvenience, permanent disfigurement, and loss of companionship.
Establishing Liability in a Spinal Cord Injury Claim
A plaintiff, with the help of their attorney, must prove someone else was at fault after an accident to file a successful claim. They must show the defendant caused a preventable accident through either negligent, reckless, or intentional actions.
A proactive severe spinal cord injury lawyer in Cleveland could investigate and complete an in-depth review to determine the cause of the accident and decide which category the civil claim will fall under. After filing a lawsuit, they could fight for the fair and just settlement amount inside and outside of the courtroom.
The Right to Recover Damages in Claims of Contributory Fault
It is common in civil claims for the court to find that the plaintiff shares a portion of the liability for the accident. However, partial responsibility does not bar them from recovering compensation for damages. The law refers to this as a contributory fault.
According to Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33, the judge will award compensation as long as the plaintiff’s liability is not greater than the defendant’s. If the court finds the plaintiff partly responsible, they will subtract their part of the responsibility for the accident from the total award amount.
Reach Out to a Cleveland Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Now
When a person’s negligence causes you to suffer a spinal cord injury, you have the legal right to recover the damages in order to pay for the medical expenses you need and require. You also have every right to expect them to pay living expenses if you cannot return to your life before the accident, including your job.
When a person’s carelessness or recklessness leads to injuries that have the potential to devastate an entire family, the court will order them to pay the damages. If you were in an avoidable accident, contact a diligent Cleveland spinal cord injury lawyer right away to schedule a meeting.
