The Devastating Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries
A traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is among the most life-altering injuries a person can experience. Depending on the level and completeness of the injury, an SCI can cause partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, loss of bladder and bowel control, respiratory complications, chronic pain, and the need for lifelong attendant care, adaptive equipment, and medical management. The financial cost of a serious SCI over a lifetime can exceed several million dollars.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Massachusetts
In personal injury cases, spinal cord injuries most often result from motor vehicle accidents including car, truck, and motorcycle crashes; falls from heights on construction sites or in other settings; sports and recreational accidents including diving injuries; acts of violence; and medical malpractice including surgical errors and failure to properly diagnose and stabilize a spinal injury. Any of these causes may give rise to a personal injury claim if another party’s negligence was responsible.
Why SCI Cases Require Specialized Legal Handling
Spinal cord injury cases are among the most complex and highest-value personal injury cases. They require collaboration with leading spinal cord injury medical specialists, certified life care planners who project future care needs and costs, vocational rehabilitation experts who assess lost earning capacity, and economic experts who calculate the lifetime financial impact of the injury. Getting this expert foundation right is essential — without it, the full lifetime value of an SCI claim cannot be properly presented to an insurer or jury.
What Compensation Is Available for SCI Victims in Massachusetts?
SCI compensation in Massachusetts can include past and future medical expenses, lifetime attendant care and nursing costs, adaptive equipment and home modification costs, lost wages and loss of lifetime earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium for a spouse. Cases involving catastrophic SCI regularly result in multi-million dollar recoveries when fully and properly pursued. If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in Massachusetts, contact Larson Law for a free consultation about your legal options.