Managing Partner
Suffering a spinal cord injury on the job could have serious and permanent repercussions. The accident victim may suffer physically, financially, and emotionally. By understanding the consequences of an accident, you can increase the likelihood of recovering fair compensation.
It starts with retaining a knowledgeable New York personal injury attorney who advocates for you each step of the way during your accident claim. Dell & Dean PLLC is ready to serve your legal needs today.
What to Expect in the Long Term
Spinal cord injuries are serious. Although they vary in degree from one victim to another, they generally all have the same long-term consequences. They include:
Health problems
A spinal cord injury can cause a victim to lose sensation and experience reduced or lost function of body systems and parts. These problems may be permanent or temporal, and can range from a mild inconvenience to a life-altering complication. The nature of your injury will dictate your prognosis.
It’s important that you work with medical specialists who understand how to treat spinal cord injuries. Also be sure that you follow your doctor’s recommendations and work limitations. It could make the difference between whether you recover or not.
Medical bills
Long-term healthcare needs create long-term medical bills. New York spinal cord injury victims should expect expenses related to:
- Surgery
- Hospitalization
- Follow-up treatments
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- Adaptive medical equipment
Lifetime costs for these and other long-term needs could reach well into the millions of dollars.
Emotional and mental health issues
Spinal cord injuries affect a victim’s quality of life. Due to lost independence and inability to work and engage in previous activities, the victim’s mental and emotional health will suffer. The following are common:
- Trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Substance abuse
- Mental health issues
These problems are aggravated if the accident victim experiences chronic pain. This may be the result of the injury itself or another injury stemming from the original accident.
Decreased earning capacity
Because the victim will likely not be able to work the same job as before, they will suffer financially for the duration of their career. Some spinal cord injury victims are unable to work at all, while others must take less lucrative positions.
Victims will not only miss out on higher earnings and promotions, but on the benefits, retirement, and other advantages they would have enjoyed had their careers not been interrupted. Their lifetime wealth accumulation will take a hit, impacting their families as well.
Legal matters
New York spinal cord injury victims are advised to seek legal counsel to claim compensation for the above and other losses. However, the victim may encounter various related legal problems for years to come.
For example, if the victim is unable to work due to their injury, they may require Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income. Claiming these benefits is not always easy, however. Legal issues may persist for the remainder of the victim’s life.
How We Maximize Recovery For Our Clients
At Dell & Dean PLLC, we recognize that spinal cord injury victims often must deal with the consequences of their accidents for years or decades to come. We know that your damages should include reasonably estimated future losses you will experience.
That’s why we work to determine the full value of a client’s losses, including by estimating future medical, financial, physical, and emotional needs. We routinely engage expert witnesses such as medical and vocational experts who can assist with valuing these damages.
Additionally, we know the tactics that insurance companies use to try to deny victims fair compensation for their losses. We are effective negotiators who will advocate for you in mediation and attempt to reach an out-of-court settlement if possible. But we aren’t afraid to take your case to trial if necessary.
It’s important to understand that you get only one chance to either settle or litigate your case for the damages that you deserve. If you fail to account for your future losses, you will not get to ask for more money later. Count on us to represent your best interests.
Explore Your Legal Options With Our New York Attorneys
If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury on the job, you do have options for recovering the compensation you need. It’s time to schedule your initial consultation with our dedicated and compassionate personal injury attorneys. Connect with us today to learn more.
