Asheville Spinal Cord Injuries Lawyer

Asheville Spinal Cord Injuries Attorney

A spinal cord injury can alter the course of your life instantly. A sudden injury can leave you with ongoing medical needs, financial hardships, and emotional struggles. If you or a loved one sustained a spinal cord injury because of someone else’s carelessness, you don’t have to face this challenge alone. An experienced Asheville spinal cord injury lawyer can fight for you and your family.

About The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers

Injury victims in Western North Carolina turn to our law firm to restore their lives and hold the responsible parties accountable. We appear regularly in the Buncombe County Courthouse in downtown Asheville, so we are familiar with the local courts, judges, and procedures. We advocate for our clients with compassion and tenacity to recover the maximum compensation they deserve. That way, they can concentrate on healing and moving forward with their lives.

Our attorneys have over 45 years of experience in representing clients who have suffered injury due to another person or party’s negligence. We can secure the compensation you need and hold the liable party responsible, whether your case involves a serious work accident, workers’ compensation claim, or a third-party lawsuit.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury damages either the spinal column or the delicate tissue and nerves it encases. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of the body and allows communication between the two. As the main communication system for the human body, damage to this area can result in serious and life-altering injuries.

Victims may suffer temporary or permanent disability, partial or complete loss of motor control and body function, or loss of sensation. A spinal cord injury has the potential to create paralysis either in the lower extremities, resulting in paraplegia, or complete paralysis of all four limbs, known as quadriplegia.

A seemingly minor injury to the spine can be life-changing and seriously impact a person’s independence, mobility, and quality of life.

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Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can be caused by a variety of reasons. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the United States has an estimated 308,620 people living with traumatic spinal cord injuries. Vehicle crashes and falls make up nearly 70% of recent injuries. Violence (predominantly gunshot wounds) and sports/recreation injuries comprise about 23%.

Medical malpractice can also be the cause of spinal cord damage. Injuries and worsened medical conditions can occur from surgical errors, anesthesia mistakes, and/or misdiagnoses. If the error was the result of preventable medical negligence, you may have a medical malpractice claim.

Types of Spinal Cord Injury Claims

When your spinal cord injury was due to another party’s actions or inaction, you may have grounds to file a claim to recover compensation for your losses. Some of the most common types of claims involve:

• Negligence: The vast majority of spinal cord injury cases are the result of negligence. Negligence simply means that someone else did not exercise reasonable care. This may mean a driver was texting while driving and caused a crash. It might also mean a property owner failed to fix stairs that were a safety hazard.
• Defective products: In cases where your spinal cord injury was caused or aggravated by defective equipment, such as a seat belt or faulty airbag, you may have a product liability case against the manufacturer or distributor.
• Intentional acts: Assaults and other violent acts that cause spinal cord injuries can also result in criminal and civil legal actions. In a civil claim, you can bring an “intentional tort” claim and pursue financial damages from the responsible party.

If you suffered an injury at work, you may likely pursue workers’ compensation, which is used in place of filing a claim against your employer. Workers’ compensation covers economic damages, mainly a portion of lost wages and medical needs.

Why Hire a Spinal Cord Injuries Lawyer?

A spinal cord injury can have a lifelong impact on your health and well-being. You may face significant medical expenses, lost income, and an emotional toll from the injury. A qualified spinal cord injury attorney can navigate the complex claims process and protect your rights throughout.

Your Asheville spinal cord injuries attorney can collect evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, represent you in court to seek the compensation you deserve. With legal assistance on your side, you can focus on healing and getting your life back.

FAQs

How Much Is a Spinal Cord Injury Case Worth in Asheville, NC?

In Asheville, NC, the value of your spinal cord injury case will depend on the specific circumstances of your situation. Generally, injuries that are more serious and require extensive medical care and recovery will yield a higher payout than minor injuries. Additionally, if you suffer permanent physical damage or the offender exercises extreme negligence, you can seek higher damages.

Do All Spinal Cord Injury Cases Go to Trial?

No, not all spinal cord injury cases go to trial. In many cases, an agreement can be made out of court. Most spinal cord injury cases are settled with insurance companies or other parties without going to trial. Should the opposing party fail to propose a reasonable settlement amount, your case would require trial proceedings.

How Long After an Accident Can You File a Claim in NC?

According to North Carolina’s spinal cord injuries laws, the statute of limitations for most spinal cord injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. If your injury results in wrongful death, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of death. It is crucial to note that if these time limits are missed, you may be barred from recovering any compensation for your injuries.

What Is Medical Negligence in a Spinal Cord Injury?

Medical malpractice, with respect to spinal cord injuries, involves a medical provider falling below the accepted standard of care and causing harm to the patient. Common examples of this include surgical errors, misdiagnosis, and delayed diagnosis. In some cases, a patient may have a legitimate claim for medical malpractice. If so, they can seek compensation if a preventable error leads to the worsening of a spinal injury.

Contact The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers Today

If you suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s actions, hire a spinal cord injuries lawyer at The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers. We can recover the compensation you need. Contact us today for a consultation.