Spinal cord injury attorney Fort LauderdaleAbout 12,500 people sustain spinal cord injuries each year, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC). This figure doesn’t even include the number of people who die at accident scenes before receiving medical treatment. Spinal cord injuries and fatalities can cause significant financial hardship for patients and survivors despite having health insurance. While the median length of hospital stays for spinal cord injuries has fallen over the last few decades, many patients remain hospitalized for 18 or more days, reports the NSCISC. Long hospital stays, physical impairment and loss of wages can add up quickly. When this happens, it helps to have an experienced spinal cord injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale who can secure financial compensation through the court. For a no-cost, no-obligation review of your case, we invite you to call our firm today at 954-767-6500.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries and Death

Some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries include:

Medical malpractice, while not one of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries, is also significant enough to mention.

Depending on the specific circumstances, a judge could find a person or company liable for these injuries. Many of these lawsuits would fall under the umbrella of personal injury law. If, for instance, you injured your spine by slipping on a store’s wet floor, the company could be held liable for your medical expenses and lost wages. If someone injures your spinal cord during a robbery, a civil court may hold that person responsible for compensating you. (In this instance, a criminal court would determine the attacker’s guilt or innocence.)

Common Results of Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury can cause a variety of symptoms that range from mildly annoying to physically debilitating. Some common symptoms include:

  • Inability to feel heat, cold or touch;
  • Paralysis;
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control;
  • Impaired motor skills;
  • Difficulty breathing;
  • Intense pain in the injured area;
  • Weakness;
  • Numbness; and
  • Death.

Many of these symptoms can make it difficult or impossible for people to continue their careers. Even office jobs that do not require manual labor can create extreme pain for people who have to stand or sit in the same position throughout the day.

Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury and Death Lawsuits

Statute of limitations explains how long you have to file a lawsuit. If you let the statute of limitations expire, then a judge will almost certainly throw out your case.

The statute of limitations for spinal cord injuries and deaths depends on how the injuries were sustained. In most cases, these are considered personal injury lawsuits. You must file your lawsuit within four years of the injury. This changes, however, when you plan to file a suit against the state, county or city. You must file injury claims against the government within three years of the spinal cord injury.

If a spinal cord injury is the result of medical malpractice, the statute of limitations shortens to two years. Medical malpractice cases, however, are not always as straightforward as personal injury cases. The two-year statute of limitations, for instance, does not start on the day when the injured person received medical attention. The clock doesn’t begin to tick until the person discovers negative effects of the treatment.

Seeking Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries and Death

The complexity of these cases makes it necessary for people to work with an experienced law firm like Montero Law Center.

If you or someone you know has suffered a spinal cord injury in Fort Lauderdale, contact the attorneys at Montero Law Center by filling out our online contact form or calling 954-767-6500. They have experience working with personal injury and medical malpractice cases. Having an experienced lawyer on your side could mean the difference between financial ruin and getting the compensation needed to pay medical bills and living expenses.