Spinal cord injuries can be caused by any number of accidents. Their effects may range from simple pain to paralysis or death. Atlanta personal injury attorney Terrence R. Bethune has significant experience helping Georgia residents pursue compensation for spinal cord injuries. If you suffered a spinal cord injury, he can explore the details of your case and help you devise a strategy to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the leading cause of spinal cord injuries since 2010 was auto accidents, which are responsible for 36.5 percent of all such injuries. Second on the list, at 28.5 percent, are falls. The lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury sustained at age 25 can exceed $4 million.
When a person sustains a spinal cord injury because someone else behaved negligently, the victim can seek compensation. In many car crash cases, these victims argue that the defendant drove more carelessly than a reasonable person would have in a similar position. These negligence lawsuits can help many car and truck accident victims seek the compensation they deserve.
In the case of a fall, the victim may argue that the property owner failed to keep the property free from dangerous conditions that might injure invited guests. These premises liability cases require the victim to prove four elements:
- There was a dangerous condition on the property;
- The property owner knew or should have known about it;
- The owner failed to fix or warn of the danger; and
- The condition caused the victim’s injuries.
A slippery floor and a loose guardrail are examples of dangerous conditions that may injure someone invited on the property, such as a store customer or hotel guest. Unless an employee of the business mopped up the spill or fixed the guardrail, a customer injured by one of those hazards may be entitled to damages from the property owner.
What Compensation Can You Get for a Spinal Cord Injury?
If a victim wins a negligence or premises liability lawsuit, They may be entitled to damages from the defendants. Spinal cord injury victims may have substantial past and future medical bills that are recoverable. These include hospital bills, outpatient doctor bills, physical therapy costs, and the cost of supplies and equipment, including wheelchairs.
In addition to medical expenses, a victim can collect money to compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and lost wages. For those afflicted with spinal cord injuries, these damages can be significant.
File Your Claim With an Atlanta Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
People who suffered a spinal cord injury at the hands of a negligent defendant have the right to compensation for all physical, emotional, and financial injuries. Although nothing can reverse the injury, careless people or entities can be held fully responsible for their behavior. Atlanta injury lawyer Terrence R. Bethune has the experience and knowledge to seek compensation from negligent defendants. To see how he can help you, call 4048757800 or fill out our online form.