Spinal injuries can be the result of a number of different causes, each of which can impact what your spinal injury claim is worth. An individual may suffer spinal damage in an automobile accident. The injury may be the result of a fall from a ladder or other great height. It can even be a consequence of a physical assault in some cases. Whatever the cause, a spinal cord injury is a life-changing condition that an individual will need to take seriously.
Many victims of spinal cord injuries are paralyzed to some degree. An individual who suffers a spinal cord injury often faces serious medical costs and have a difficult time paying. These and other factors we’ll discuss below create a heavy financial burden for those with spinal cord injuries. A spinal cord injury lawsuit is often the only option for people with these injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured, talk to the attorneys of The Khalidi Law Firm. We offer a free consultation and can help you evaluate your case before you commit to anything. Give us a call or send us an email today to set up your consultation.
What Can I Expect for a Spinal Injury Compensation Payout?
Severity of Injury
The severity of the injury is the most important single factor in your payout. Depending on the extent of your injury, the estimated lifetime cost of your medical treatment will vary considerably. We will get into more detail about this in the next section.
Severity of Damage
In addition to medical costs, the severity of the damage will also be a factor in a spinal cord injury victim’s reduced ability to earn. Some individuals will totally lose their income as a result of an injury, and many others will not be as productive as they were before the accident. A successful personal injury case will cover an individual’s lost productivity.
Types of Damages
A number of other types of damages can sometimes come up in a personal injury case. These include things like punitive damages—awarded at a judge’s discretion to punish the negligent party. However, medical costs and lost productivity will come up in almost every spinal cord injury case.
Lifetime Costs in a Spinal Injury Claim
The main factors in determining the estimated lifetime costs of a spinal cord injury are the type of injury and the age of the individual at the time of the injury.
High tetraplegia (injuring one of the first four cervical vertebrae) is estimated to cost $1,064,716 in the first year. Lifetime costs for a 25-year-old are estimated to be $4,724,181 and costs for a 50-year-old are estimated to be $2,596,329.
Low tetraplegia (an injury to one of the fifth through eighth cervical vertebrae) is estimated to cost $769,351 in the first year. Lifetime costs for a 25-year-old are estimated to be $3,451,781 and costs for a 50-year-old are estimated to be $2,123,154.
Paraplegia is estimated to cost $518,904 in the first year. Lifetime costs for a 25-year-old are estimated to be $2,310,104 and costs for a 50-year-old are estimated to be $1,516,052.
Any other damage to motor function is estimated to cost $347,484 in the first year. Lifetime costs for a 25-year-old are estimated to be $1,578,274 and costs for a 50-year-old are estimated to be $1,113,990.
When Should You Speak to an Attorney About Your Spinal Injury Claim?
As you’re probably aware at this point, the medical costs of a spinal cord injury are far beyond the means of most families. For many families, pursuing legal options is the only way of meeting the costs of the injury and ensuring a stable quality of life in the future.
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That’s why it’s important for you to reach out to a trusted attorney as soon as you can, if you or a loved one has experienced a spinal cord injury. An experienced attorney will be able to guide you through this process with care, compassion, and a clear knowledge of the tactics insurance companies often use to avoid paying what you deserve.
Still Wondering What Your Spinal Injury Is Worth? Talk to a Lawyer at TNK
Let us help you determine whether a spinal injury you or a loved one suffered in an accident may qualify for compensation under a personal injury claim. The Khalidi Law Firm has more than 20 years of experience helping injured persons in the Tucson area get the closure they deserve. If you have suffered injury or lost a loved one as a result of a spinal injury, we can help. Contact our Tucson injury lawyers at The Khalidi Law Firm.
