Spinal cord injuries are no laughing matter. Not only can they affect your everyday life, but they can also lead to mounting medical expenses, lost wages, and having to learn to cope with your limitations.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, it is important that you choose the best spinal cord injury lawyer. As such, there are many factors that need to be considered to ensure that you get the best representation for your needs.
What to Do After Getting Injured
Before you decide to seek the services of an experienced lawyer, it’s important to establish the severity of your spinal cord injury. Knowing the classification of your injury can help your attorney better determine your settlement.
A doctor will be able to examine your spinal cord and tell which classification you fall under – either complete or incomplete. Once you are physically capable, contact your spinal injury lawyer so you can get started on your personal injury case.
You will then have a better understanding of your injury and the confidence you need to press forward. An experienced spinal injury lawyer will guide you through the process step-by-step to ensure that you are comfortable and ready to proceed.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
If you have suffered a complete spinal cord injury, the damage to your spinal cord is permanent. As such, you may experience paralysis in your extremities (arms, legs, or torso). Conversely, an incomplete spinal cord injury means that there is partial damage to your spinal cord.
Doctors will diagnose an incomplete spinal cord injury if you are able to move the portions of your body that are below the injury location. Regardless of which classification your spinal cord injury falls under, you may experience other complications and long term effects.
These include circulation trouble, loss of bladder control, respiratory problems, loss of sensation, and even depression. If you are experiencing any such symptoms, it’s important that you let your spinal cord injury lawyer know.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can happen when there is trauma to your spine, ligaments, or disks. There are many instances that can lead to this type of injury.
Here in Washington and the rest of the United States, most spinal cord injuries are the result of vehicular accidents, sports-related injuries, slips and falls, diseases, violence, and alcohol consumption.
While it’s true that the majority of spinal cord injuries are brought on accidentally, there are some other factors that can play a role in these injuries occurring.
Surprisingly, men are more likely to experience a spinal cord injury. So much so that nearly 80% of all spinal cord injuries in the United States happen to males.
Adults over the age of 65 are more prone to falling, thus increasing the likelihood of injury.
Teens and adults under the age of 65 who engage in reckless behavior also have a greater chance of suffering from a spinal cord injury, such as driving too fast and getting into an accident.
What’s more, biological disorders that affect bones and joints can lead to spinal cord injury. If you have osteoporosis or arthritis, you may be more susceptible to these types of injuries.
Preventing Spinal Cord Injury
You can do your part to reduce your chances of experiencing this catastrophic injury. Below are some helpful rules to live by so you can avoid suffering a spinal cord injury.
Practice safe driving – Car accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injury. Always make sure that you are wearing your seat belt and following the rules of the road. Avoid texting and driving, and never drive under the influence.
Use caution when swimming – Never dive into shallow waters. Unless you are certain that the water is at least 12 feet deep, don’t risk injuring your spinal cord by diving into it.
Play safe – Since sports-related trauma is another common reason behind spinal cord injury, it’s important to take precautions and play safe. You should wear protective equipment, such as helmets, and always make sure that someone is with you when you’re weightlifting.
Reduce your chances of falling – You can do a lot to prevent accidental falls. Even if you’re young and healthy, accidents happen. It is therefore important to always use handrails when available, use caution when entering and exiting the bathtub or shower, and consider putting up safety gates near stairways if you have young children.
Choosing the Right Law Firm for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case
You need an attorney who is well-versed and experienced in spinal cord injuries. Attorney Sofia K. Miguel can help you understand your case and provide the direction you need to ensure that you receive the most compensation for your injury.
Sofia has helped countless injury victims just like you get the outcome they needed for financial restitution. You deserve the peace of mind that your medical expenses will be taken care of and that you will be made whole.
Thanks to nearly two decades of experience, Sofia’s law firm has the necessary tools to provide you with the best representation in Washington. Located in Puyallup, Attorney Sofia K. Miguel is here for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our office if you have suffered a spinal cord injury.
Your health and well-being are important and you deserve to get the help and assistance you need for a better life. Your spinal cord injury may be with you for the rest of your life. But you don’t have to face it alone or without compensation.
Sofia’s No-Fee Guarantee
When you choose Attorney Sofia K. Miguel as your spinal cord injury lawyer, you can look forward to Sofia’s No-Fee Guarantee. Bottom line, Sofia only gets paid when you do. What’s more, your consultations are free and Sofia will take care of all of your court costs if your personal injury case is selected!
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, contact us right away so Sofia can provide the representation you deserve.
