Suffering a spinal cord injury can change your life forever. Coping with the injury’s physical and emotional ramifications is understandably overwhelming, especially if someone else is responsible for what happened. Fortunately, Alabama law allows accident victims to seek compensation for their losses after a catastrophic injury. An experienced Opelika spinal cord injury lawyer can help you pursue maximum compensation to rebuild your life and prepare for the future.
At Stokes Stemle, LLC, we understand the challenges spinal cord injury survivors face as they return to daily life. If you or a loved one sustained a catastrophic spinal injury, contact us today for a free consultation with a compassionate and dedicated attorney.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries involve damage to any part of the spinal cord. There could also be nerve damage at the end of the spinal canal. Spinal cord injuries often lead to permanent changes in strength, sensation, and other bodily functions below the site of the injury.
Common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
- Traffic accidents – The force of impact in motor vehicle accidents can cause damage to the spinal cord, leading to life-altering injuries.
- Falls – Premises liability accidents, such as slip-and-fall cases, can leave victims with paralyzing spinal cord injuries.
- Violence – Many individuals who suffer injuries in shooting or stabbing incidents have long-lasting or permanent spinal damage.
- Sports accidents – Contact sports, such as football, hockey, and boxing, can lead to devastating injuries to the spine.
Victims must often adapt to significant lifestyle changes after a spinal cord injury. They may need to make costly home renovations to accommodate their condition, such as widening spaces to allow for wheelchairs, the installation of ramps to move around the house, and walk-in showers. Survivors frequently need extensive rehabilitation that continues long after their initial hospitalization. They may also require 24-hour caregiving to assist with complications due to the injury. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center at the University of Alabama, the average yearly costs for people with spinal cord injuries can cost millions of dollars over the course of a lifetime.
In some cases, partial recovery could be possible. Signs of recovery from spinal cord injury include pain, spasticity, or tingling below the level of the injury.
Legal Considerations for Spinal Cord Injury Cases
Spinal cord injury cases often involve extensive immediate medical costs and long-term healthcare expenditures. Alongside this unexpected financial strain, the victim and their families must also manage life-altering changes and emotional trauma.
One of the primary legal considerations in such a case is to calculate and secure comprehensive compensation accurately. This compensation should account for various losses, such as:
- Immediate and future medical costs
- Loss of earning potential
- Home modifications
- Physical therapy
- Long-term personal care assistance
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
Securing rightful compensation in these cases requires a solid legal strategy, meticulous investigation, negotiation, and, if needed, litigation. That is why it is vital to engage the services of an experienced spinal cord injury attorney. Skilled legal representation can guide you through the convoluted legal processes, working to address every aspect of your claim thoroughly.
At Stokes Stemle, LLC, our attorneys combine a comprehensive knowledge of Alabama’s personal injury law with a compassionate approach to each case we take. We are committed to securing maximum compensation for our clients, enabling them to focus on healing and recovery while we take care of their legal burdens.
The Role of a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
The primary role of a spinal cord injury lawyer is to represent the victim and work to safeguard their rights. A knowledgeable lawyer will navigate the insurance claims process, negotiate a full and fair settlement, and, if necessary, file a spinal cord injury lawsuit and take the case to trial.
An experienced spinal cord injury attorney should:
- Investigate the accident to determine how and why it occurred
- Gather evidence to prove liability and the extent of your losses
- Identify the party(s) at fault for your spinal cord injury
- Coordinate with medical and vocational experts to determine the extent of your injuries and how it affects your job prospects
- Evaluate other long-term impacts to understand what your current and future needs
- Calculate comprehensive losses that include medical bills, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering
- Providing moral support as you deal with some of the most challenging experiences of your life
At Stokes Stemle, LLC, our experienced spinal cord injury attorneys adopt a full-service, personalized approach. With deep compassion and thorough attention to detail, we offer legal advice and help identify suitable medical professionals for treatment. We are steadfast in our mission to deliver justice for our clients, managing every aspect of their case from the initial investigation to the final settlement or verdict.
Seeking Legal Support in Opelika
Taking prompt legal action following a spinal cord injury is crucial. It preserves crucial evidence and ensures adherence to statutory deadlines for filing personal injury claims. Alabama law generally requires injured parties to file a lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident that caused their injuries. You may forfeit your right to compensation if you do not meet this critical deadline. Working with a seasoned Opelika spinal cord injury attorney can help ensure that you file all the necessary paperwork on time.
Local representation can provide significant advantages. Opelika attorneys are familiar with the local courts, judges, and laws unique to Alabama. At Stokes Stemle, LLC, our deep-rooted understanding of the Opelika legal landscape empowers us to provide the most effective representation for our clients.
Our attorneys are committed to improving the lives of the people in our community. This is why we extend our services beyond office hours and even visit clients at their homes when required. This level of commitment allows us to focus on you, your story, and your needs.
Contact an Opelika Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Today
You deserve justice and accountability after a spinal cord injury. A dedicated lawyer can make all the difference in your pursuit of compensation during this difficult time.
The attorneys at Stokes Stemle, LLC are committed to fighting for the money you are owed. We invite you to reach out to our experienced and compassionate team for a free consultation. You don’t pay anything unless we win. Contact us now to speak with a spinal cord injury lawyer in Opelika.
Site by