Donaldsonville Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Spinal Cord Injury Attorney In Donaldsonville, LA

There are few injuries in your life that can be as devastating or long-lasting as a spinal cord injury. The spinal cord is responsible for sending internal messages to and from the brain. If the spinal cord is injured, even partially, that signal can be interrupted and result in lifelong medical issues. Sometimes a spinal cord injury is nobody’s fault, but it can also be the result of negligence. You should contact a Donaldsonville spinal cord injury lawyer for help.

The legal team at Gauthier Amedee understands how hard it can be to file a spinal cord injury claim on your own. You may be dealing with a difficult recovery and psychological trauma from your injury.

You should have a Donaldsonville personal injury lawyer in your corner throughout the legal process. Without a Donaldsonville spinal cord injury attorney to guide your case and help you understand the state’s spinal cord injury laws, your case may not succeed.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury can be particularly catastrophic to your body, and your recovery may never truly end. If your injury happens in Donaldsonville, you will probably be taken to the nearest trauma center, which would be either Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center or Baton Rouge General, both of which are in Baton Rouge.

Afterward, your extensive rehabilitation may take place at The NeuroMedical Center. You’ll want to hire a lawyer to file an accident claim.

Recent data gathered by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) shows that there are roughly 305,000 people in the United States living with a spinal cord injury. Additional data shows that the average 20-year-old who suffers a spinal cord injury that causes paraplegia can only expect to live another 40 years.

However, everyone who suffers a spinal cord injury heals differently, and some don’t heal at all. Here are some common causes of spinal cord injuries:

• Motor vehicle accidents: Car crashes can be physically and psychologically traumatic, and they can happen to anyone. Spinal cord injuries are a common consequence of a car accident. People may emerge from a car accident with a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury, depending on the severity of the accident. The sudden stop of the vehicle may contribute to stress on the spine.
• Serious falls: Falls are the primary cause of spinal cord injuries for people over 65 years old in the US. Anyone can fall for any number of reasons. It becomes a personal injury claim when that fall is someone else’s fault. If you slipped on a wet floor in a store that was not properly blocked off, the fault might lie with the property owner. If you tripped on uneven sidewalk pavement, the fault may lie with the city.
• Violence: A spinal cord injury can sometimes be the result of a violent attack. If you are shot in the spine, it can shatter and leave you paralyzed. The same can happen if you are stabbed in the spine. All it takes is for the spinal cord to be severed. If that happens, you will be paralyzed entirely below the affected area, and it likely cannot be cured.
• Surgical errors: Unfortunately, every surgery comes with a certain degree of risk. Spinal surgeries are extremely delicate procedures, and it doesn’t take much for an error to cause you lifelong physical trauma. If the surgeon were to cut the wrong area, you could end up partially or totally paralyzed. You may even have enough evidence to seek damages for medical malpractice, which you may want to ask your lawyer about.

FAQs

Does a Spinal Cord Injury Qualify as a Disability?

Yes, a spinal cord injury qualifies as a disability in Louisiana. For a condition to qualify as a disability in Louisiana, it has to last at least 12 months or eventually result in your death.

You need to show medical documentation of your condition if you wish to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Your lawyer can help you fill out the paperwork, apply, and appeal if you are initially denied.

How Long After a Spinal Cord Injury Can You Regain Motion?

The length of time after a spinal cord injury during which you can regain motion varies for everyone. In fact, some spinal cord injury patients never regain motion. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may start to feel some minor improvement within a few months.

Recovery can often continue for years through intensive physical therapy, and even then, your improvement may be minimal. An incomplete injury has a better chance of recovery than a complete one.

What Back Injury Takes the Longest to Heal?

A complete spinal cord injury takes the longest to heal. This happens when the spinal cord is irreparably and entirely broken. It results in total paralysis in the entire body below the injury. While there is a small chance you may regain some sensation in the area with prolonged rehabilitation and surgery, the chances of being able to walk again are generally slim to none.

Should I Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?

Yes, you should hire a spinal cord injury lawyer. Seeking justice for a spinal cord injury is important. It holds the right people accountable and gets you compensation for your medical bills, which could be considerable. Having a lawyer to control your case can give you more time to focus on rehab, physical therapy, and your ongoing recovery. Without a lawyer, the chances of recovering financial compensation may be lower.

Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today

If you are dealing with the physical limitations and pain of a spinal cord injury, the most effective choice you can make for your case is to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer to represent your interests and keep you from being taken advantage of. At Gauthier Amedee, we can bring 45 years’ worth of combined experience to your case and give you a strong chance of success. Contact us to speak to a valued team member who can help.