Spinal Cord Injury lawyer Utah
Table of Contents
Spinal Cord Injury attorney
A person can be a victim of SCI from such traumatic events as falls, sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, or an act of violence. Not only traumatic, but some non-traumatic factors can also be caused by SCI, such as tumors, infections, and degenerative conditions. However, the location along the spinal cord and the extent of the injury can differ in severity.
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What Are The Types Of Spinal Cord Injuries?
Generally, spinal cord injury is perceived as a single-piece organ, but scientifically, it is a cylinder-shaped column of nerve tissue that is covered by a thin sheet of myelin, running from the brainstem to the lower back. It is further covered by 31 butterfly-shaped vertebrae.
The spine is divided into 4 main sections. Depending on which section gets injured, doctors can tell a person has what type of injury, how severe (extent) the damage is, how to diagnose it, and how to treat it. These are as follows.
- Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
- Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury
- Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury
- Sacral Spine Injury
What Are the Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?
There are different reasons a person can get a spinal cord injury, but some of them are very common. These are as follows.
Motor Vehicle Accident
Motorcycles, cars, and trucks are the leading causes of spinal cord injury. When these crashes occur because of another driver’s negligence, a car accident lawyer can help victims understand their legal rights and recovery options.
Falls
Falls are very common among older adults. When a fall occurs because of hazardous property conditions, a slip and fall attorney may help determine whether a property owner can be held responsible.
Sports and Recreation Injuries
Bicycle crashes during recreational riding can also result in severe spinal trauma. In these situations, speaking with a bicycle accident attorney may help injured cyclists explore their legal options.
Acts of Violence
Stab wounds and gunshot wounds have become a major cause of spinal cord trauma. It often results in severe and sudden damage.
Medical & Surgical Complications
In some cases, spinal cord injuries are a result of complications while undergoing surgery, for example, tumors, infections, or reduced blood flow to the spine.
Diseases and Degenerative Conditions
Conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, and spinal cord inflammation can weaken the spine over time, making it more vulnerable to injury even from minor incidents.
What are the symptoms of a spinal cord injury?
Emergency Treatment, Hospitalization, and Medical Expenses
Emergency treatment means an ambulance, your ER visit, and your stay in the hospital, in the burn unit, medications, surgeries, and follow-up appointments. Burn treatment costs a lot, and bills keep coming in after you get home.
Symptoms of spinal cord injuries usually vary with the affected area. However, the SCI is mainly divided into 3 main types, and these are as follows.
Sensory Symptoms
These symptoms convey information to your brain. They inform your brain about the world around you and what’s going on in your body. Your spinal cord controls tactile (touch-based) signals. For example, pressure, temperature, vibration, texture, etc.
It also controls your proprioception, which is your self-working sense. For example, if you bring your hand into a very dark room but don’t touch your nose, that is proprioception.
Some common examples of sensory symptoms are the following:
- Numbness
- Pain
- Tingling or “pins-and-needles” (paresthesia)
Motor Symptoms
These are the signals that travel from your brain to muscles. They tell how your brain moves your body parts. These symptoms are as follows.
- Weakness
- Paralysis
- Spasticity
Autonomic Symptoms
These symptoms are processes that you don’t think about that are commonly known as autonomic dysreflexia (AD). These symptoms include:
- High blood pressure
- Sudden severe pounding headache
- Profuse sweating
- Flushed skin above the injury
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Who Can Be Held Liable for a Spinal Cord Injury in Utah?
Liability for spinal cord injury depends on how the incident occurs with someone. Sometimes more than one party can be liable for spinal cord injury. Potentially liable parties include.
Negligent Driver: A person who causes a car, truck, or motor vehicle accident.
Trucking Companies: These are the ones that fail to follow safety rules or properly maintain vehicles. A truck accident attorney can help investigate liability.
Employers or Contractors: These are responsible for unsafe workplace conditions.
Property Owners: Who allow dangerous conditions that lead to falls or other accidents.
Medical Providers: Those whose negligence causes or worsens a spinal cord injury.
Product Manufacturers: These are the persons who sell defective safety products, vehicles, or equipment.
In most cases, spinal injury results in lifelong medical expenses and lost earning capacity. So identifying every single liable party is most important for the sake of compensation.
What Compensation Is Available After a Spinal Cord Injury?
The restitution for spinal cord injury covers both the costs that you have already faced and the future expenses. It falls into a few categories that are as follows.
Medical Expenses
This includes medical care, surgery, hospital stays, medication, and ongoing treatment, as well as future medical care like other surgeries or long-term therapy.
Rehabilitation Costs
It includes physical therapy, assistive devices, occupational therapy, and mobility equipment, typically required for months or years, and these costs are factored into the claim.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
Sometimes the injury affects your ability to work temporarily or permanently. In this case, compensation covers lost wages as well as the income you would earn in the future.
Home and Lifestyle Modifications
Many spinal injury patients need wheelchair ramps, modified bathrooms, vehicle adaptations, and home caregivers. These lifelong costs are also a major part of your claim.
Pain and Suffering
Compensation can also account for the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life that come with a spinal cord injury, not just the financial costs.
Loss of Consortium
In some cases, spouses or family members can seek compensation for the impact the injury has had on their relationship and family life
How Can a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Help?
Having a lawyer to navigate the legal side of injury makes a big difference. A lawyer thoroughly analyzes your case to establish liability, consulting your medical records to document your long-term prognosis, and measuring the massive lifetime costs of care.
Spinal cord injuries caused by motorcycle crashes often result in substantial medical expenses and long-term care needs. A motorcycle accident attorney can help pursue compensation for these losses. Here is how an attorney actively helps you to navigate the legal and financial aftermath of SCI.
Investigating The Cause
An attorney collects the evidence, accident reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions to identify how the injury happened and who’s responsible.
Calculating The Actual Costs
Many people were permanently damaged, so they need lifetime compensation. A lawyer meets with the medical and financial expert to determine the maximum future expenses, such as Medicare, rehabilitation, lost earning capacity, and home modification, instead of paying just current bills.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies always try to cover a case quickly at a much lower cost than your case’s worth. In this situation, the lawyer handles negotiations, so you don’t need to pressure and don’t need to sign an offer that is less than the actual cost of your injury extent.
Identifying All Liable Parties
Once the lawyer clarifies the situation of how the injury happened, there may be more than one party liable. For example, a driver, an employer, a manufacturer, or a property owner. A lawyer identifies every possible source of compensation.
Filing Within the Legal Deadline
Every state has a statute of limitations for filing a case. A lawyer makes sure your case is filed correctly and on time so you don’t lose your right to compensation due to a missed deadline.
Taking the Case to Court If Needed
Many claims settle out of court. An attorney prepares your case as if it’s going to trial, which typically leads to stronger settlement offers and ensures you’re protected if the case does need to go before a judge.
FAQs
The compensation amount varies depending on the situation, the exact location of the claim, and the location. Payouts normally cover financial losses such as lost wages or medical bills, future care needs, or general damages for suffering and pain.
Consult a spinal injury lawyer right away after you receive emergency medical treatment. It is necessary because evidence such as surveillance footage or witness testimonies can be lost, and strict statutes of limitations, usually 2 to 4 years, can be restrictive when you file a claim.
Consult with Cockayne Law
If you are suffering because of someone’s negligence, speak up. Prompt medical treatment and preserving evidence, accident reports, photos, witness testimonies, and medical records are most important to secure your legal rights.
Facing this silently is not a way. We are here to help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you and your loved one deserve. Feel free to contact us today, it’s completely free with no obligation.
[Legal Disclaimer]
This page provides general information about spinal cord injury accident claims in Utah, including Logan, West Jordan, Sandy, Provo, Magna, Layton, St. George, Millcreek, Orem, Herriman, Salt Lake City, American Fork, Ogden, Midvale, Saratoga Springs, West Valley City, Draper, Spanish Fork, South Jordan, Eagle Mountain, Holladay, Lehi, Murray, Taylorsville, Cottonwood Heights, and the Rose Park neighborhood of Salt Lake City. This content is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every spinal cord injury accident case is unique. Consult a qualified Utah attorney for advice about your specific situation.
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Brian ChenTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
A heavy truck hit me in a heavy crash, it was nightmare ever time to remember it. Thanks for finding Cockayne Law who was willing to take my case, walk me through step by step, take care my healthy and recovery. Isaac and Moriah were so patient, helpful and dedicated to their work. Even though my case took long time over than a year that I thought, but still I appreciate for their work to fight me a good settlement.Posted on Google![]()
sharoon masihTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Cockayne Law helped me through every step. They communicated clearly, kept me updated, and made sure I felt supported and cared for, especially when it came to my health and recovery. I’m very happy with my experience and highly recommend them. Thank you Isaac and MoriahPosted on Google![]()
matias VazquezTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
They do a really great job and help me and my family I fully recommend them !!!Posted on Google![]()
OlegTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Layza and karina are very attentive and very good at their jobs. I would give 40 stars if I couldPosted on Google![]()
Aaron MaesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Issac helped me through the process and was great with me and got the care I need definitely recommend everyone to him! Mariah stayed in contact with me answered all my questions.Posted on Google![]()
Samuel ZarateTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Excelente abogada Karina Zeballos . Y muy buena atenciónPosted on Google![]()
Amelia GonzalezTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Estoi agradecida con el serbisioPosted on Google![]()
Alexandra ColinaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Estuve muy feliz con la atención recibida por Cockayne Law. Fueron muy atentos desde un principio con todo lo que se necesitaba hacer sobre mi caso. No pude haber escogido a un mejor grupo de abogados.❤️Posted on Google![]()
Gad LaraTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The experience was really good. Professional and smooth. Karina stayed in contact and professional. I recommend this highly.Posted on Google![]()
Brittina PachecoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
My husband came for a personal injury litigation. These guys were efficient and on top of their game the whole way through Karen, Nancy, and Chris plus the whole team was great to work with.
Our Locations
6671 S Redwood Rd Ste 110, West Jordan, UT 84084, United States
574 E 1400 S, Orem, UT 84097, United States
2650 Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401, United States
What Our Clients Say About Cockayne Law
EXCELLENT
Based on 294 reviews
Posted on Google![]()
Brian ChenTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
A heavy truck hit me in a heavy crash, it was nightmare ever time to remember it. Thanks for finding Cockayne Law who was willing to take my case, walk me through step by step, take care my healthy and recovery. Isaac and Moriah were so patient, helpful and dedicated to their work. Even though my case took long time over than a year that I thought, but still I appreciate for their work to fight me a good settlement.Posted on Google![]()
sharoon masihTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Cockayne Law helped me through every step. They communicated clearly, kept me updated, and made sure I felt supported and cared for, especially when it came to my health and recovery. I’m very happy with my experience and highly recommend them. Thank you Isaac and MoriahPosted on Google![]()
matias VazquezTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
They do a really great job and help me and my family I fully recommend them !!!Posted on Google![]()
OlegTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Layza and karina are very attentive and very good at their jobs. I would give 40 stars if I couldPosted on Google![]()
Aaron MaesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Issac helped me through the process and was great with me and got the care I need definitely recommend everyone to him! Mariah stayed in contact with me answered all my questions.Posted on Google![]()
Samuel ZarateTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Excelente abogada Karina Zeballos . Y muy buena atenciónPosted on Google![]()
Amelia GonzalezTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Estoi agradecida con el serbisioPosted on Google![]()
Alexandra ColinaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Estuve muy feliz con la atención recibida por Cockayne Law. Fueron muy atentos desde un principio con todo lo que se necesitaba hacer sobre mi caso. No pude haber escogido a un mejor grupo de abogados.❤️Posted on Google![]()
Gad LaraTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The experience was really good. Professional and smooth. Karina stayed in contact and professional. I recommend this highly.Posted on Google![]()
Brittina PachecoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
My husband came for a personal injury litigation. These guys were efficient and on top of their game the whole way through Karen, Nancy, and Chris plus the whole team was great to work with.
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