
Englewood Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Spinal cord injuries devastate victims through physical restrictions, emotional suffering, and financial burdens. These injuries require intensive medical treatment and continuous care whenever they result from car accidents, falls, medical malpractice or other negligent actions. An Englewood spinal cord injury lawyer has the knowledge to help you obtain financial compensation for your damages.
The team at Fair Squared Injury Law aggressively pursues your rights. We can help you seek compensation for your injuries, and pain and suffering in most cases.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) develop from damage to the spinal column or its nerves and tissues, which interrupts the communication between the brain and the body. The extent and location of the injury determine its severity, which can cause the following:
- Temporary disability
- Permanent disability
- Loss of muscle movement
- Loss of sensory perception
- Paraplegia (lower body paralysis) or quadriplegia (paralysis in the four limbs)
The first year following a traumatic spinal cord injury has seen constant improvement in life expectancy since the 1970s. Life expectancies of spinal cord injury patients after the first year of their injury have stayed the same since the early 1980s and continue to fall short of the general population’s life expectancies.
The spinal cord manages important body functions like movement and breathing, as well as bladder control, which makes spinal injuries lead to major changes in a person’s quality of life. SCI victims need long-term rehabilitation together with assistive devices and home modifications, which necessitates financial compensation.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury usually arises from a sudden trauma. Common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
- Motor accidents. Car, motorcycle, and truck accidents account for about 70% of spinal cord injuries, which can cause severe nerve damage.
- Slips and falls. Falling, especially from slippery pavements or high heights, can cause significant injury. The elderly and those who work in construction are at a higher risk of injury from falls.
- Violence. Violent acts such as assault and battery or injuries from gunshot wounds can cause significant spinal injury. These can lead to permanent paralysis.
- Contact sports. Contact sports, such as football, can lead to spinal cord injuries. Violent acts and sports injuries together make up about 29% of spinal cord injuries.
- Medical malpractice. While not as common, medical malpractice still happens and can result in injury, such as errors during anesthesia administration or surgery.
Spinal Cord Injury
Call Fair Squared Injury Law today at 720-821-7834 for your Free Consultation!
Filing a Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Colorado
Those who experience a spinal cord injury in Englewood, CO should seek legal assistance to understand where to initiate a claim. The Arapahoe County Justice Center serves as the main filing location for spinal cord injury cases because they process personal injury matters.
The Colorado Division of Insurance allows you to file complaints when your claim disputes involve an insurance company. When an injury occurs due to unsafe public property conditions or city oversight failures, you can submit your notice of claim to the Englewood City Attorney’s Office at 1000 Englewood Parkway, Englewood, CO 80110.
If your injury was caused by another party’s negligence, you may be able to file a claim. You can typically file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance provider or you can file a personal injury claim. Substantial evidence like medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and professional testimony is required for both options. The guidance of an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer helps you get the highest possible financial settlement.
Spinal cord injury claims in Colorado are generally filed in District Court located in the same judicial district where the accident happened. The plaintiff has the option to file their claim in the county where they live or where the defendant lives.
To initiate the legal claim, plaintiffs must first file a complaint. This official document may outline the facts of the situation and any damages being sought. Next, the defendant is served. Once they receive the complaint and summons, negotiations and discovery follow. At this point, both sides present evidence and negotiate settlements. If they cannot reach an agreement, they prepare for court.
Types of Spinal Cord Injury Claims
If you suffer a spinal cord injury, the circumstances surrounding the case can determine the type of claim you file. Common claims include:
- Negligent claims. Negligence-based claims take place when someone fails to maintain reasonable care standards, resulting in harm, such as a reckless driver causing an accident or a property owner ignoring safety hazards.
- Product liability claims. When defective products like faulty seat belts or unsafe medical devices cause injuries, manufacturers or distributors can be held responsible.
- Medical malpractice. Patients whose spinal cord damage resulted from medical errors by doctors, surgeons or hospitals can initiate malpractice litigation.
- Intentional acts. Victims of intentional acts like assault that result in injury have the right to file both criminal charges and civil claims.
Colorado Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injuries
Colorado requires people who want to claim compensation for spinal cord injuries to follow special statutes of limitations. Personal injury claimants must file within two years of their injury date for most cases, including spinal cord injury cases.
Exceptions to the statute of limitations exist which can extend the deadline. Special circumstances may also affect the statute of limitations such as the discovery rule or filing a claim against a government entity. An attorney can analyze the facts of your case and let you know if you qualify for an extension.
FAQs
The expenses for spinal cord injury treatment can be high because they generally require emergency surgery followed by hospitalization, long-term rehabilitation sessions, and continuous medical attention. Patients with spinal cord injuries may encounter extra expenses for special equipment as well as home modifications and daily living assistance. The cost of spinal cord injury treatment can persist for years based on both the injury severity and the requirement for continuous care or therapy.
Englewood personal injury lawyers commonly receive payment through a contingency fee system where they earn a percentage from the settlement or award upon success in the case. Clients can pursue legal action without any initial payment under this agreement. Since clients pay nothing when their lawyer loses the case, this setup presents a zero-risk financial option for those who cannot afford hourly legal fees.
The survival probability for spinal cord injuries relies on the specific level and severity of the injury sustained. Patients with more severe spinal cord injuries face tougher survival rates compared to those with injuries located lower on the spinal cord. Survival rates and long-term recovery outcomes improve greatly when patients receive early medical treatment that includes appropriate stabilization and care.
Medical negligence with spinal cord injuries occurs when healthcare providers do not meet professional standards of care, which results in additional patient harm or complications. Patients may experience worsened outcomes and more severe injuries due to healthcare professionals making diagnostic mistakes, conducting improper surgical treatment or failing to monitor the patient adequately.
Contact Fair Squared Injury Law Today
If you suffered a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages. Fair Squared Injury Law can help you. Contact us today for more information.
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