West Palm Beach Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
The spinal cord is the “highway” for the body’s nervous system. If the spinal cord is damaged in any way, it can disrupt the brain’s ability to transmit signals to other parts of the body. In the case of severe spinal cord damage this can mean partial or total paralysis.
Spinal cord injuries are often the result of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. If you, or someone that you love, is in that situation, a qualified West Palm Beach spinal cord injury lawyer can assist you in obtaining compensation from the responsible parties. Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather is a team of dedicated Florida personal injury lawyers who represent accident victims struggling to rebuild their lives after sustaining spinal cord damage.
How Serious Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord is not a single nerve. Rather, it is a chain of many smaller nerves protected by a column of bones or vertebrae. The location of a spinal cord injury is often the critical factor in determining its short- and long-term consequences. Here is a rough breakdown:
- Cervical injuries. The top eight vertebrae comprise the cervical part of the spine, more commonly known as the neck. Any injury to this part of the spinal cord is dangerous as it can mean total paralysis from the neck down. Cervical injuries can also affect a person’s ability to breathe on their own with mechanical assistance.
- Thoracic injuries. These are injuries to the middle and upper back. Damage to the thoracic region can mean a severe reduction in a person’s function and movement, especially in the torso, and may confine them to the use of a wheelchair for life.
- Lumbar and sacral injuries. These injuries occur between the middle of the back and the tailbone. While victims can face permanent damage from injuries to these areas, it is generally not as catastrophic as cervical or thoracic injuries.
Spinal cord injuries can occur for a variety of reasons. But the four most common causes are car accidents, slip and fall accidents, intentional acts of violence, and participation in full-contact sports. In each of these scenarios, third-party negligence may play a role in the injury. And when that is the case, the negligent party can be held responsible for a spinal cord injury victim’s economic and non-economic losses.
Contact Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather Today
Damage awards in spinal cord damage cases are often substantially higher than in other types of personal injury claims. This is typically because spinal cord damage is often permanent and can prevent a person from returning to work permanently and otherwise enjoying their pre-accident life. Even in less catastrophic cases, a spinal cord injury can require months if not years of extensive–and expensive–medical treatment.
It is therefore crucial to speak with an experienced West Palm Beach spinal cord injury lawyer if you or someone in your family is currently dealing with this kind of damage. The team at Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather can advise you of your rights and assist you in taking appropriate legal action to secure full and complete compensation. Contact us today to schedule a case evaluation.
