Experiencing a spinal cord injury is a life-changing event that can leave you facing significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. At Long & Long, our spinal cord injury lawyers in Orange Beach are committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive legal support to help you through this difficult time. With a deep understanding of Alabama personal injury law and extensive experience handling complex spinal cord injury cases, we work tirelessly to help ensure you receive the compensation you need for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, and other damages. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the legal process, advocating for your rights and fighting for the justice you deserve. Let us help you rebuild your future.
Did You Suffer a Spinal Cord Injury in Orange Beach?
At Long & Long, we understand the challenges you face and are dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of your injury claim. Schedule a free consultation with our spinal cord injury lawyers in Orange Beach and let us help you on your path to recovery.
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Spinal Cord Injuries Explained
A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord resulting in a loss of function, such as mobility or sensation. SCIs are categorized as complete or incomplete, depending on the extent of the injury and the ability to send and receive signals below the injury site.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Complete Spinal Cord Injury: Results in a total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the injury. This means that there is no voluntary movement or sensation in the parts of the body controlled by the nerves below the injury site. For example, a complete injury at the thoracic level can result in paralysis of the legs (paraplegia), while an injury at the cervical level can cause paralysis of both the arms and legs (quadriplegia).
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Allows for some degree of sensory and/or motor function below the level of injury. The extent of this function can vary significantly from person to person, depending on the severity and location of the injury. Types of incomplete spinal cord injuries include:
- Anterior Cord Syndrome: Damage to the front portion of the spinal cord, often resulting in impaired movement and varying degrees of loss of temperature and pain sensation, while touch, position, and vibration senses may remain intact.
- Central Cord Syndrome: Damage to the center of the spinal cord, leading to greater impairment in the arms than in the legs, with possible loss of motor control and varying degrees of sensory loss. It is often associated with cervical spine injuries.
- Brown-Séquard Syndrome: Occurs when one side of the spinal cord is damaged, causing weakness or paralysis on one side of the body and loss of sensation on the opposite side. This type of injury often results from a penetrating injury, such as a stab wound.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can result from various traumatic events, with some of the most common causes including:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Collisions involving cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries. The impact can cause severe trauma to the spine, leading to permanent damage.
- Falls: Falls from significant heights, such as from ladders or buildings, or even slip and falls, particularly in older adults, can cause spinal cord injuries.
- Acts of Violence: Violent encounters, including gunshot wounds and stab wounds, can penetrate and damage the spinal cord, leading to both complete and incomplete injuries.
- Sports and Recreational Activities: High-impact sports such as football, diving, and other recreational activities can result in spinal cord injuries due to falls or collisions.
- Medical or Surgical Complications: Sometimes, spinal cord injuries occur as a result of medical procedures or complications during surgery, infections, or diseases such as cancer or osteoporosis that weaken the spine.
A spinal cord injury can drastically alter your life, but you don’t have to navigate this challenging time alone. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, it’s crucial to seek legal advice to understand your rights and options. Contact our spinal cord injury attorneys at Long & Long for a free consultation and let us help you secure the compensation you need for your recovery.
We’ve won MILLIONS of dollars for our INJURED neighbors.
Compensation in Orange Beach Spinal Cord Injury Cases
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in Orange Beach, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation to help you manage the financial, physical, and emotional toll of your injury. Damages are divided into three main categories:
Economic damages are intended to cover the financial losses directly resulting from your spinal cord injury. These quantifiable losses may include:
- Medical Expenses: Compensation for both current and future medical costs, including hospital stays, surgeries, medication, and ongoing care.
- Rehabilitation Costs: Coverage for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other rehabilitative services necessary for recovery.
- Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity: Reimbursement for income lost due to the inability to work, as well as compensation for diminished earning potential if the injury affects your long-term career prospects.
- Costs of Assistive Devices and Home Modifications: Payment for necessary equipment such as wheelchairs, ramps, and other modifications to make your home accessible and support your daily living needs.
Non-economic damages address the more subjective, non-financial impacts of your injury. These damages may include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort caused by the spinal cord injury.
- Emotional Distress: Coverage for the psychological impact, including anxiety, depression, and other emotional challenges stemming from the injury.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the loss of ability to participate in activities and hobbies that you once enjoyed.
- Loss of Consortium: Damages awarded to your spouse for the loss of companionship, affection, and support resulting from your injury.
Punitive damages are not awarded in every case. They are reserved for situations where the defendant’s actions were particularly egregious or reckless. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. If your spinal cord injury resulted from such conduct, you might be eligible for punitive damages in addition to economic and non-economic damages.
Securing adequate compensation after a spinal cord injury can make a significant difference in your recovery and future well-being. Consult with an attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and ensure you receive full and fair compensation. Contact Long & Long today for a free consultation, and let us fight for your rights and help you move forward with confidence.
Key Alabama Laws For Spinal Cord Injury Claims
These Alabama laws can significantly impact the outcome of your claim, so it’s important to be aware of them and how they might affect your case.
- Statute of Limitations: In Alabama, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including spinal cord injuries, is generally two years from the date of the injury. This means you have a two-year window to file a lawsuit, and failing to do so within this period may result in losing your right to seek compensation.
- Contributory Negligence: Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule, meaning if you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident that caused your injury, you may be barred from recovering any compensation. This rule underscores the importance of demonstrating that you were not at fault to secure the compensation you may deserve.
- Caps on Damages: Alabama does not have a cap on compensatory damages (both economic and non-economic) in personal injury cases. However, punitive damages are capped at three times the compensatory damages or $1.5 million, whichever is greater.
Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer FAQs
You must establish that the defendant owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injury, resulting in damages.
Medical records, accident reports, witness statements, expert testimony, and photographic evidence are critical in spinal cord injury cases.
The duration varies based on the complexity of the case, willingness to settle, and court schedules. It can take several months to a few years.
Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win your case.
Seek immediate medical attention to assess and treat the injury. Document the accident and your injuries as thoroughly as possible, and consult with a spinal cord injury lawyer promptly to discuss your legal options and ensure your rights are protected.
You should hire a spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as possible after your injury. Early legal intervention can help preserve crucial evidence, ensure compliance with the statute of limitations, and provide guidance on navigating complex legal processes.
Our Orange Beach Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
How Our Orange Beach Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys Can Help
Hiring an experienced spinal cord injury attorney provides numerous benefits that can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Here’s how our dedicated team at Long & Long can assist you:
- Legal Knowledge: Our attorneys possess a deep understanding of the intricacies of Alabama law and years of experience handling personal injury cases, ensuring that all legal aspects of your case are meticulously handled.
- Strategic Case Building: We know how to gather and present evidence effectively, from accident reports and medical records to expert testimonies, to build a compelling case.
- Client Advocacy: We stand firm against lowball offers and unfair settlement tactics, ensuring your interests are always prioritized.
- Comprehensive Resources: We collaborate with top medical professionals for expert opinions and testimony, skilled investigators to uncover critical evidence and reconstruct accident scenes, and leading rehabilitation specialists to assist in your recovery and provide necessary documentation for your case.
At Long & Long, our strategic approach and unwavering commitment to our clients sets us apart. Let our Orange Beach spinal injury attorneys guide you through the legal process, fighting for the compensation and justice you may deserve, so you can focus on your recovery and future.
Speak to a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Orange Beach For Free
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, it’s crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible. At Long & Long, we offer free consultations to help you understand your legal options and determine the best course of action. Our spinal cord injury lawyers in Orange Beach are ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide the guidance you need to navigate the complexities of your case. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step towards finding the support and justice you need.
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