Spinal cord injuries are among the most feared and well-known bodily injuries a person can suffer in a major motor vehicle collision. Unfortunately, misinformation about the spinal cord and the capabilities of modern medicine can result in great difficulty for people who need compensation.
Under Colorado law, it is possible to bring a personal injury lawsuit against a driver who causes a crash that results in a spinal cord injury. However, those bringing such a claim will have unique concerns when it comes to proving their case in court.
Many attorneys don’t understand the nuances of the brain and spinal cord
Your spinal cord serves as a conduit for information between your brain and the rest of your body. Injuries to the spinal cord, whether complete or incomplete, can result in issues ranging from loss of strength and motor function to loss of sensation and the ability to care for yourself.
While attorneys generally understand how serious spinal cord injuries can be, they may not be able to readily explain to you the prognosis for different injuries or the treatment options available. All of that means that they likely won’t argue as convincingly in front of a jury as they could with the right expertise and information. Working with a firm that employs physicians, either as consultants or as an attorney within the practice, can make it easier for people to argue complex medical claims in court.
Putting a price on a spinal cord injury isn’t easy
Determining the exact financial implications of your spinal cord injury can be a challenge in and of itself. Not only do you have to consider your current medical expenses, lost wages and need for assistive technology, but you must also estimate the likely future costs you will incur for the same issues.
Simply asking for your current costs and losses would leave you at a disadvantage, especially if new treatment options arise in the future. Cutting-edge medicine often doesn’t get covered under insurance plans, meaning you will need liquid capital for the best experimental procedures related to spinal cord injuries.
An attorney with experience handling these complex injuries and knowledge about the medical options available can help you make better determinations about what level of compensation you really need to move forward with your life after spinal cord injury.