Even the least serious spinal cord injuries could result in long-standing pain and disability. More significant injuries might lead to unbearable pain, permanent disability, or even paralysis.
If you sustained spinal cord damage as a result of someone else’s irresponsibility, the services of an Ohio spinal cord injury lawyer might prove beneficial. By reviewing your claim, providing legal advice, and helping you build a case, a seasoned catastrophic injury attorney could help you get the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal injuries can be caused by a variety of different events and mishaps including:
- Automobile accidents
- Slips and falls
- Work accidents
- Deliberate acts of malfeasance involving assault or battery
- Shootings
- Injuries related to participation in various sporting events
- Falling objects
- Incidents of medical malpractice
Other events could also cause spinal cord damage. Following an accident, an experienced Ohio spinal cord injury attorney could review a case and help determine whether a person has a viable claim.
Possible Recoverable Damages for Plaintiffs
A court or judicial body might award compensatory damages, punitive damages, or both to someone who sustained a spinal cord injury. The extent of the damages awarded may be determined by certain factors which may include the percentage of guilt borne by the involved parties, and the severity of the claimant’s injuries.
Compensatory damages are designed to compensate a person for the expenses they incurred in the wake of their injuries. Such rewards may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future lost wages
- Loss of consortium
If the accident resulted in a person developing permanent paralysis, damages might also be awarded to cover physical therapy, wheelchairs, or to cover the expenses to make indoor and outdoor renovations of the person’s residence to allow for wheelchairs or other transportation accessories.
Punitive damages are decided upon and potentially awarded separately from compensatory damages deliberations. These rewards might be given to those whose injuries resulted from deliberate acts of malfeasance. Examples of such actions could be shootings or physical assaults. To recoup punitive damages, a claimant must be able to show that the defendant acted maliciously.
A spinal cord injury lawyer in Ohio could help the claimant prove the defendant’s negligence.
Modified Comparative Fault
Spinal cord injuries fall under the greater civil, legal facet known as personal injury law. For an injured person to be successful in such a case, they must typically be able to prove that the negligence or irresponsibility of another party was to blame for causing the event that precipitated the injury in question. The injured person may also need to demonstrate that the restitution sought is directly attributable to the injuries they sustained.
Of further importance for a potential claimant is that the State of Ohio applies the modified comparative fault principle. Damages are awarded based upon how much responsibility all involved parties bear for causing the accident.
To recover damages, an injured person must be less than 51 percent at fault. Even when damages are awarded, the total amount they would ultimately be rewarded may be reduced by the percentage of blame they were assigned. Should the injured person be awarded $90,000 in total damages but be found 10 percent responsible, they would only walk away with $81,000.
An Ohio spinal cord lawyer could further explain how the modified comparative fault principle could affect a plaintiff’s spinal cord injury case.
An Ohio Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Could Help
Spinal cord injuries may cause life-changing consequences. While no amount of compensation may help you fully recover, it could help make you financially whole. For more information regarding filing a claim, it may be beneficial to consult an Ohio spinal cord injury lawyer. Call today to learn more.