Thousands suffer through the tragic and difficult obstacles that stem from spinal cord injuries. When another party is the cause of the spinal cord injury, they could be held liable in court. They may be required to pay the injured claimant compensation for their damages.
If you or a loved suffered an injury to your spinal cord, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your damages. A seasoned Rolla spinal cord injury lawyer could review the circumstances of your case and help you determine what options you have moving forward.
Attempting to pursue compensation for damages on your own could be challenging for anyone without legal support. Let our diligent legal team at the A.W. Smith Law Firm help your case. A knowledgeable catastrophic injury attorney could help guide you through your journey to legal recovery.
The process of diagnosing the location and type of spinal cord injury plays a crucial role in personal injury cases. A skilled spinal cord injury lawyer in Rolla could hire medical experts to testify to the type and severity of the damage. The courts will take account of the medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and other economic expenses that were incurred due to the accident.
There are five general regions of the spine that are used to indicate the placement and type of injury suffered:
The cervical area is the top of the spinal cord and connects the brain and neck to the spine. Cervical spinal injuries might be referred to as C1 through C8, indicating the eight vertebrae that could be potentially injured in the cervical region. The thoracic region is the middle of the spinal cord, containing 12 vertebrae designating as T1 through T12. The lower portion of the spine, the lumbar spine, consists of five vertebrae, L1 through L5.
Beneath the lumbar spinal cord is the sacral spine. This region is made up of five vertebrae, and while it is not technically considered part of the spinal cord, its nerve roots branch out of the spine and are thus grouped together as a spinal cord injury. The coccyx or tail bone is the lowest region considered part of the spinal cord. It sits at the base of the spinal cord and has one vertebra.
In personal injury cases, the plaintiff’s attorney has to show by a preponderance of the evidence to prove their case. A seasoned lawyer has to prove that the defendant’s negligent actions were the exact cause of the plaintiff’s injuries. Issues of comparative fault could impact the plaintiff’s overall recovery. The plaintiff could also be held partially liable for the accident or their damages.
Per Missouri Revised Statutes §537.765, a plaintiff may recover damages as long as they are 99 percent or less at fault for causing the accident. The plaintiff’s overall damages will be reduced by their percentage of fault. An experienced Rolla spinal cord injury attorney could build a case and fight against allegations of contributory fault.
Spinal cord injuries often impact more than just your spine. They could be detrimental to your health physically, mentally, and financially. Let a Rolla spinal cord injury lawyer at the A.W. Smith Law Firm advocate on your behalf. Call today to start exploring your legal options for compensation.
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