Nationally, approximately 18,000 new spinal cord injuries occur each year. The United States has an estimated population of 302,000 people living with SCI, with estimates ranging from 255,000 to 383,000.
When facing the life-altering aftermath of spinal cord injuries, finding the right legal representation is essential. Las Vegas is home to skilled spinal cord injury lawyers specializing in personal injury law. A Las Vegas Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer is vital if you or a loved one has suffered this type of injury. Spinal injury can have severe effects on the victim and their family, resulting in physical, mental, and financial challenges.
At Temple Injury Law, our dedicated spinal cord injury attorneys possess a deep understanding of personal injury cases, especially when it comes to the devastating impact of spinal cord injuries. Our team is committed to providing unwavering assistance and skilled legal representation to individuals who have suffered spinal cord injuries due to the negligence of others.
Recognizing the challenges faced by spine injury victims, we approach each spinal cord injury lawsuit with the utmost diligence and empathy, aiming to secure the compensation and care our clients rightfully deserve.
Get directions to the nearest spinal cord injury lawyer in Las Vegas
Types and Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can happen in many ways. While motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause, it is vital to recognize that liability often extends to other scenarios.
Common Causes
Beyond car crashes, other incidents frequently lead to severe spinal damage:
Violent Acts: Gunshot wounds or physical assaults.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Hazardous conditions on a property can lead to falls that severely damage the spine.
- Medical Malpractice: Surgical errors or misdiagnoses can inadvertently cause permanent spinal cord damage.
Classifications of Injury
There are two primary types of spinal injuries: complete and incomplete.
- Complete Spinal Cord Injuries: A complete injury results in a total loss of function below the level of injury on both sides of the body. Depending on the area of the spine damaged, this results in paralysis.
- Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries: An incomplete injury refers to cases where there is still some degree of sensation or motor function below the level of damage in the spinal column. The severity varies greatly; incomplete injuries may cause less severe damage than complete ones, but still require extensive care.
Regardless of the type or severity, seeking prompt medical attention and legal counsel is essential. If someone else’s negligence—whether a driver, property owner, or medical professional—caused your injury, contacting an experienced Las Vegas Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer like Temple Injury Law is crucial.
Why You Need a Skilled Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Las Vegas
In Las Vegas, the aftermath of a spinal cord injury without professional legal assistance can be overwhelming. A skilled spinal cord injury attorney is essential for navigating the complex legal landscape.
Navigating Legal Challenges
Proving Liability: Determining liability requires demonstrating that the defendant’s actions directly caused the injury. This involves thorough investigation and evidence collection.
Dealing with Insurance: One of the biggest hurdles is the insurance adjuster. Insurers often dispute the extent of the injury or the necessity of treatments to minimize payouts. We handle these aggressive negotiations so you don’t have to.
Calculating Damages: Assessing damages in SCI cases is complex. We often utilize expert witness testimony—including medical professionals and economists—to validate the long-term impact of the injury and accurately calculate future medical costs.
Life Care Planning: We help create a comprehensive plan outlining your needs over a lifetime, from medical care to home modifications.
Statute of Limitations: Under Nevada law, there is a limited time to file a personal injury claim. Contacting a lawyer immediately ensures your rights are protected before this window closes.
Consequences of Spinal Cord Injuries
The consequences of spinal cord injuries are life-altering and often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and adaptive equipment. The specific symptoms depend heavily on the location of the injury along the spinal column.
Paralysis and Nerve Damage
When the spinal cord is damaged, communication between the brain and muscles is disrupted.
-
Cervical Spine Injury: Damage to the neck region often results in quadriplegia (tetraplegia), affecting all four limbs and respiratory function.
-
T1-L5 Injury Level: Injuries in the thoracic or lumbar regions typically result in paraplegia, affecting the lower half of the body and legs while often preserving arm function.
Loss of Bodily Functions
In addition to paralysis, victims may suffer from:
-
Respiratory issues (difficulty breathing)
-
Bowel and bladder control problems
-
Sexual dysfunction
-
Chronic pain and temperature regulation difficulties
-
Muscle atrophy and pressure sores from prolonged immobility
Long-Term Care Needs
-
Medical Expenses: Victims face financial burdens from surgeries, medications, and physical therapy. A skilled lawyer ensures the responsible party covers these costs.
-
Rehabilitation: Regaining independence often requires specialists in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology.
-
Adaptive Equipment: Many individuals require wheelchairs, walkers, or home modifications such as ramps.
Challenges in Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuits
Spinal cord injury (SCI) lawsuits present a set of unique and significant challenges, both for the plaintiffs who have sustained the injuries and for the legal professionals who represent them. Here are some of the main challenges involved:
Proving Liability
Determining and proving liability can be complex. It requires demonstrating that the defendant’s actions (or lack thereof) directly caused the injury. This involves thoroughly investigating, using witnesses, and collecting substantial evidence.
Medical Complexity
Spinal cord injuries can vary greatly in severity and outcomes. Understanding and explaining the medical aspects of SCI—such as the level of injury, prognosis, and impact on daily living—requires specialized knowledge. Lawyers often need to consult medical professionals to build a case and accurately estimate future medical costs and needs.
Calculating Damages
Assessing and quantifying damages in SCI cases is challenging due to these injuries’ long-term and profound impact. Damages may include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Predicting future costs and needs, especially in cases of partial or complete paralysis, requires testimony and often involves intricate calculations.
Life Care Planning
Many spinal cord injury cases involve creating a comprehensive life care plan that outlines the injured party’s needs over a lifetime, including medical care, rehabilitation, assistive devices, modifications to living spaces, and personal care support. Crafting a convincing and accurate life care plan is a detailed process typically requiring input from medical professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and economists.
Insurance Issues
Dealing with insurance companies can be particularly challenging in SCI cases. Insurers may dispute claims about the extent of the injury, the necessity and cost of treatments, and the amount of compensation due. Negotiating with insurance companies to secure adequate coverage for ongoing and future needs requires persistence and often the threat of litigation.
Contact Temple Injury Law for Spinal Cord Injury Cases
Have you got a spinal cord injury in Las Vegas? Don’t go it alone. We’ll help you calculate future damages, negotiate with insurance companies, and handle all communication on your behalf.
Contact Temple Injury Law to help you. We know the system’s ins and outs and can ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
FAQs about Spinal Cord Injury in Las Vegas
The average rehabilitation time for a spinal cord injury varies depending on the severity and type of damage. Still, it’s safe to say it’s longer than waiting in line for a cronut.
For comprehensive data on recovery times, check out The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center.
A complete spinal cord injury is considered the most severe because it results in total loss of function below the level of damage, making it hard to get around.
The financial cost of a spinal cord injury can be astronomical, with estimates ranging from hundreds to millions of dollars over a lifetime.
Under the Nevada statute of limitations, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If you do not file within this window, the court will likely dismiss your case. However, exceptions exist for minors or if the injury was not immediately discovered, so it is vital to consult a lawyer immediately to protect your rights.
Most personal injury lawyers, including Temple Injury Law, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay $0 upfront. We only get paid a percentage of the settlement or verdict we win for you. If we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us attorney fees.
Yes, under Nevada’s modified comparative negligence rule (NRS 41.141), you can still recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. However, your settlement amount will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, your recovery will be reduced by 20%.
Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses like medical bills, lost wages, and home modifications. Non-economic damages compensate for subjective impacts, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. In spinal cord cases, non-economic damages are often significant due to the permanent nature of the injury.
While many personal injury cases are settled out of court with the insurance adjuster, spinal cord injury cases often involve high stakes and complex future care needs. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement that covers your lifetime needs, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial and present it before a jury.