Emotional and Psychological Toll of Spinal Cord Injuries
In addition to these various complex physical needs, many SCI patients also experience significant emotional and psychological impacts resulting from their accident and sustained injuries. Spinal cord victims and their caregivers thus often experience many diverse mental health conditions.
An experienced Michigan spinal cord injury attorney understands the complexity of these injuries. With this knowledge, they passionately advocate not only for their client’s access to these services and resources, but also the compensation they’ll need to fund these highly-advanced therapies, techniques, and services.
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistic Center:
• approximately 17,730 SCI instances occur annually
• the average age of those sustaining a SCI as of 2019 is 43 years old
• vehicle accidents are the leading cause of SCI (39.3%) followed by falls (31.8%)
Spinal Cord Injuries from Car Accidents
Car accidents account for over 39% of all reported SCI cases in the United States. As possibly the most dangerous routine activity a person can undertake, driving or riding in a motor vehicle comes with its fair share of risks. While many people believe that spinal cord injuries only result from the most catastrophic motor vehicle accidents, in fact, even somewhat minor collisions can cause injury to the spinal cord in the form of whiplash, airbag deployment, or seatbelt force.
Fortunately, in Michigan, we still have one of the most comprehensive medical coverages under our state’s auto no-fault insurance system. However, contrary to the term “no-fault,” when the other driver involved in your crash was negligent in causing your injuries – such as drunk drivers and distracted drivers, for instance – you may be legally entitled to bring a liability claim against them for your quality of life damages. Because of this, finding a Michigan car crash lawyer experienced handling both no-fault and liability claims against at-fault drivers is critical.
Spinal Cord Injury from a Slip-and-Fall
The second leading cause of SCI, falls contribute to a large percentage of people suffering from spinal cord injury. While anyone can sustain a SCI from a fall, the most vulnerable are the aged and elderly. A single fall in the later years of life can have a detrimental impact on that person’s health. If your loved one suffered a fall due to another person or organization’s negligence – such as at a nursing home facility – and are experiencing symptoms of SCI, it’s in their best interest to consult with a Michigan personal injury lawyer.
Litigating Spinal Cord Injury Cases
Individuals who have suffered spinal cord injuries as a result of the negligence of another may be entitled to recover compensation. The facts surrounding your injury dictate the type of legal action necessary to recover for your injuries. In many cases, this will be a standard negligence action. In a negligence claim, your attorney will be required to prove certain elements – primarily that your injury was the result of another person, entity, or organization’s negligence or wrongdoing.
Additionally, these cases often require medical professional testimony to establish the extent of the injury and its long-term effects. You may also be required to undergo certain medical exams to establish the amount of damage to your spine and nervous system. A Michigan spinal cord injury attorney is there to ensure you have the best team of experts on your case and all legal options are pursued on your behalf.
