A spinal cord injury can change your life in an instant. Depending on the location and severity, the consequences range from chronic pain and limited mobility to complete paralysis. Lifetime care costs for paraplegia average over a million dollars, and for quadriplegia, the number climbs to several million. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center publishes annual data on incidence rates, causes, and outcomes that we often reference when valuing these cases.
Common Causes
Car and truck accidents account for roughly 39% of spinal cord injuries nationally. Falls cause about 30%. In New Jersey, vehicle accidents on the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway are among the most frequent causes we see. Construction site accidents are another common source.
What Makes These Cases Different
The stakes are higher because the damages are so large. Insurance companies fight harder, hiring expensive defense experts and arguing that pre-existing degenerative conditions contributed to the damage.
To counter this, you need a strong medical team documenting everything. Life care planners, vocational experts, and economists all play a role in quantifying the full cost. We work with these experts to project costs accurately, because lowballing future expenses at settlement time means the client runs out of money years later.
Damages in Spinal Cord Cases
Past and future medical expenses, lost income and reduced earning capacity, home and vehicle modifications, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. Insurance companies will try to minimize these numbers, which is why expert testimony is critical. Having an experienced attorney matters more in these cases than in any other type.