The most common causes of spinal cord injuries are motor vehicle accidents, followed by falls, acts of violence and sporting accidents. Medical malpractice, such as improper epidural injection, is also a cause of significant spinal cord injury. Because spinal cord injuries often occur in adolescence and early adulthood, survivors frequently face decades of living with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of severe disability. The highest incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs in young while males 15 to 25 years of age, with a male-to-female ratio of 4:1. It is estimated that lifetime expenses exceed $550,000. Obviously, there is considerable variation in these expenses depending upon the age at the time of the injury and the severity of the injury.

Studies have shown that there are many factors that favor employment after SCI. These include younger age at the time of injury, being male, being white, higher education level, high motivation, sufficient functional ability, and employment before injury. The most consistent predictor of employment outcome after SCI has been educational history. It is clear that those with more years of education are more likely to be working after SCI. It also seems to take the passage of time after SCI for higher levels of employment to occur. In one study, the percentage employed in the competitive labor market increased from 12.6% two years after SCI to 38.3% twelve years after injury.

The traditional elements of legal damages that may be claimed by anyone who is injured through the misconduct of another person or company would apply to your claim. These elements, however, are intensified because of the nature of a spinal cord injury. Nobody disputes the fact that a severe spinal cord injury constitutes one of the most devastating calamities that a person or his family can experience. Therefore, the right to seek compensation for the "loss of the ability to lead and enjoy a normal life in the past and in the future" really hits home with most juries who would consider your claim. And, the allowance for "reasonable future medical expenses" requires consideration of the significant complications that can occur after a spinal cord injury even under the best of circumstances.

Likewise, "future loss of income or earning capacity" must be liberally calculated due to the many factors that make gainful employment difficult for you to achieve and to retain. Who can know for sure that physical complications will not cause you to lose even a sheltered employment five years from now?

An experienced personal injury attorney who has represented SCI victims in their claims knows the difficult road that must be traveled by every survivor and his or her family. He knows the experts necessary to testify to the damages that make up your claim. He is able to effectively present your past and future losses in a persuasive manner to an insurance company or jury. Perhaps more importantly, he can be a valuable resource for you in your lifetime rehabilitation process as you seek to achieve a meaningful lifestyle.

Please complete our “Free Case Evaluation Form” from the menu above or call The Sherris Law Firm at (407) 999-9955 to learn about your legal rights.