Any accident that causes damage to the spinal cord has the potential to cause life-altering harm to a person. This traumatic damage can take the form of long-term loss of motor and/or sensory function and, in severe cases, permanent paralysis. Because of the severity and long-lasting effects of this kind of injury, achieving comprehensive civil recovery after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence is crucial for an injured person and their family.
A knowledgeable Baytown spinal cord injury lawyer could be an irreplaceable ally from beginning to end of high-stakes type of civil claim. If you have no past experience inside a courtroom or dealing with settlement negotiations, a capable catastrophic injury attorney at Kirk Law Firm, PLLC could support you throughout your legal proceedings and tirelessly advocate for your rights.
What Makes Spine Trauma Uniquely Severe?
Unlike most other body parts, the spinal cord cannot heal itself when it sustains physical damage, and even cutting-edge surgical interventions and rehabilitative treatments can only do so much to restore functionality after a serious injury. Unfortunately, this means that “complete” spinal cord injuries—involving the spinal cord being completely severed at the injury site—are invariably permanent and debilitating in nature. While “incomplete” spinal cord injuries—involving less severe tearing, twisting, or bruising—still require months of intensive medical care to give victims a chance of long-term improvement.
The location along the spine where trauma occurs can also have a significant impact on the effects a spinal cord injury has on an injured individual’s life. Injuries to the lumbar or thoracic spine—respectively the lowest and middle segments of the spinal cord between the tailbone and the skull—may result in paraplegia below the waist and in the lower torso. While injuries in the upper cervical spine commonly lead to quadriplegia in all four limbs and the entire torso.
The specific nature of a person’s injuries is the primary factor considered when determining what types of losses they can seek recovery for. Depending on the circumstances, our Baytown spinal cord accident attorneys could pursue monetary damages for an injured individual’s past and future medical expenses, lost short-term and long-term earnings, physical pain, emotional trauma, and lost enjoyment and overall quality of life.
Filing Deadlines for Spinal Cord Injury Claims
Even though most spinal cord injuries result in lifelong harm and, at minimum may necessitate years of treatment, the same filing deadlines applicable to most other personal injury claims also apply to cases of this nature. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003, the maximum amount of time a plaintiff typically has to file suit is two years following the date on which their injuries first occurred.
There are exceptions under limited circumstances to this rule—for example, if the injured party was a minor when they were hurt, this filing period would not begin until the impacted person’s 18th birthday. Our spinal cord injury lawyers in Baytown could clarify during a private consultation what time constraints and other legal roadblocks might play a role in a particular case.
A Baytown Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Could Help
Being hurt in any way due to another person’s negligence can be an immensely frustrating and expensive experience to go through, but accidents resulting in spinal cord trauma are uniquely devastating. Fortunately, help is available from dedicated legal professionals with the knowledge and tenacity necessary to effectively pursue a positive case result for you.
A conversation with a Baytown spinal cord injury lawyer could help you understand the various legal options available so that you can start building a comprehensive claim. Call Kirk Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a meeting.