New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Spinal injuries have many causes, but the results are always the same: peoples’ lives are completely changed. At the New Jersey law firm of Brady Reilly & Cardoso (BRC), our New Jersey spinal cord injury lawyers help clients who have sustained spinal cord injuries resulting from the negligence of others. We have been able to obtain damages and compensation for victims so they can rebuild their lives.
New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Resources
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How an Attorney Can Help
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Potential Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord Injury Case Examples
Liability For a New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury
Proving Liability in a Spinal Cord Injury Claim
Potential Damages Available in Your Case
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How a New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Can Help
When we meet with potential clients, we help them understand the legal process. As a spinal cord injury lawyer, we have the experience and expertise to effectively advise them about their rights and their options. We discuss any time limits that might prohibit filing a claim after a certain date. We advise them about their chances of success. Our New Jersey personal injury attorney want them to be prepared to make decisions about the case as it progresses.
We retain a wide variety of experts, depending on the case. They analyze the extent of the victim’s injuries and evaluate the person’s capacity to work. We also investigate the insurance coverage available and calculate the cost of medical treatment. Depending on the cause of the injury and the type of insurance coverage involved, we have been able to obtain damages such as these:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Emotional damages
- Derivative claims from family members
- Compensation for medical expenses
Spinal Injuries = Changed Lives
Our trial lawyers in New Jersey have helped many people who became paraplegic, quadriplegic or experienced some other level of paralysis. In many cases, victims are unable to work. They frequently require special equipment and ongoing medical treatment. The impact of spinal cord injuries on a family is profound. In short, life is never the same after a spinal injury.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur in various forms and under several circumstances. Understanding the most common causes of such injuries is crucial as it may help you avoid them and highlight scenarios where caution needs to be exercised. These commonly include:
Car Accidents: Vehicular collisions lead to a high number of spinal cord injuries due to the significant force involved in crashes. A car accident lawyer in Jersey City can help you fight for justice after suffering severe harm in a collision.
Workplace Accidents: Spinal cord accidents can happen in various professions but are more frequent in physically demanding jobs such as construction or manufacturing. In these industries, incidents involving falls from heights or machinery malfunctions can lead to serious spinal injuries.
Truck Accidents: Large commercial trucks are large, powerful vehicles; as a result, accidents involving these trucks can result in severe injuries including damage to the spinal cord. For assistance with a truck accident lawsuit in Jersey City, speak with an experienced attorney.
Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists face a heightened risk of spinal cord injuries due their lack of physical protection compared to drivers and passengers in cars and trucks.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents: Cyclists and pedestrians are also very vulnerable on the road, and as a result are susceptible to spinal cord injuries if involved in an accident with a vehicle.
Falls: Spinal cord injuries often occur as a result of falls, particularly amongst older individuals and those working in jobs that include heights. Ice, misplaced objects, or simply stumbling can bring about painful repercussions.
Acts of Violence: It’s an unfortunate reality that violence can lead to spinal cord damage too. Incidents involving gunshots or physical abuse can cause this type of injury.
It’s essential to understand the common causes of spinal cord injuries in order to exercise appropriate precautions.
Potential Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
Recognizing the symptoms of a spinal cord injury is crucial. Early treatment can sometimes reduce the long-term impact, so if you suspect that you or someone you love is suffering from a spinal cord injury, be mindful of these signs:
- Loss of mobility
- Altered sensations
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Constant pain or Pressure in your head, neck, or back
- Weakness, tingling, or numbness in any part of your body
- Inability to move extremities
This is not an exhaustive list of symptoms, but if you experience any of these or others that you suspect might be related to a spinal cord injury, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Examples of Spinal Injury Cases
We have helped clients who have suffered a spinal injury after accidents such as these:
- Pedestrian accidents after drivers failed to stop at a stop sign
- Failure to x-ray neck after a car accident and other types of medical malpractice
- Slip and falls
- Car and other motor vehicle accidents
- Birth injuries
- Construction accidents
- Swimming and diving accidents
Who Can Be Liable For a New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury?
When a spinal cord injury occurs, determining who is liable can be complex but also critical in order to seek rightful compensation. Depending on the cause of the injury, various entities may bear legal responsibility, including:
Driver: If a negligent or reckless motorist caused the accident, they can be held liable for any resulting spinal cord injuries.
Employer of Responsible Party: If your injury is due to an employee’s actions within the context of their official duties – like a delivery driver – it may be possible to hold their employer responsible, depending on circumstances.
Manufacturer: If the accident was caused by a defective product – for example, faulty vehicle parts or unsafe machinery at work – then you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer.
Property Owner: Property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe premises. If you sustained your injury as a result of dangerous conditions that the owner failed to address, they may be held accountable.
Medical Professionals: In instances where negligence or mistakes by medical professionals lead to spinal cord injuries, these healthcare providers can be held liable. This could include situations involving surgical errors, improper administration of treatments, failure to diagnose a condition that leads to the injury, or other forms of medical malpractice.
These are only some examples, and other parties might bear responsibility depending on the specifics of your accident.
Proving Liability in a Spinal Cord Injury Claim
To succeed in a spinal cord injury claim, you will need to establish that another party was responsible for your injuries. This involves compiling significant and persuasive evidence, which could include:
Police or Incident Reports: If the injury took place in a car accident or it happened at work or on public property, make sure to collect police reports and/or incident reports generated by first responders.
Medical Records: Detailed documentation of the injuries sustained is vital as these records will help show the seriousness of the accident and identify any relationship between the incident and your injuries.
Witness Statements: Eyewitness testimony can offer perspectives about what occurred, potentially corroborating your account of what happened.
Photographic Evidence and Surveillance Footage: Visual proof from photos taken right after an accident can be helpful to show how the accident occurred. If surveillance footage exists, this can be essential in showing who caused it.
Expert Testimony: In some instances, professionals such as engineers, medical practitioners, or crash reconstruction experts can offer impactful insights on what led up to and caused the accident. Their input could be useful in establishing liability and illustrating damages.
Strong evidence is essential for a successful spinal cord injury claim. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help collect this and construct a persuasive argument.
Potential Compensation Available in Your Case
Securing rightful compensation in a spinal cord injury case is vital, as dealing with such an injury often requires long-term medical care and significant living adjustments. As you seek restitution, different types of damages may, often including:
Medical Expenses: Considering the extensive ongoing care that a spinal cord injury often necessitates, you will be able to claim compensation covering current and future medical costs. This may include expenses for hospitalization, surgeries, physical therapy consultations, or any other healthcare necessities linked with your injury.
Lost Wages: This compensation can cover earnings lost due to your inability to work either temporarily or permanently after the accident. This may also include a decreased earning capacity if you’re unable to return to your previous line of work and make the same amount of money as before.
Pain and Suffering: If your spinal cord injury has brought about severe discomfort, limited mobility, or loss of function, you might be entitled to pain and suffering damages.
Emotional Damages: This would be applicable if the injury has led to any psychological difficulties such as anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Derivative Claims: If family relationships have considerably suffered as a result of your spinal cord injury, family members may have the grounds to sue for damages – such as “loss of consortium” which refers to the deprivation of benefits from a family relationship (usually a spouse) due to your injuries.
Navigating a spinal cord injury can undoubtedly be scary and burdensome. However, consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer right from the onset is pivotal in protecting your rights and obtaining the best outcome possible.
Contact a New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Contact an attorney at BRC for a free initial consultation if you or a loved one has suffered a spinal injury. We handle spinal injury claims in northern New Jersey, including Newark and Jersey City. We have been helping people since the 1970s and know what to do.
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