A spinal cord injury can turn your life upside down in an instant, leaving you with physical, emotional, and financial burdens. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation to rebuild your life. However, recovering damages isn’t guaranteed—insurance companies and defendants may argue that you share responsibility, making it harder to get what you’re owed. This is where having a skilled Spinal Cord Injury Attorney by your side can make all the difference.
With expertise in Florida law and a deep understanding of how to navigate complex cases, we will fight tirelessly to protect your rights, prove liability, and secure the compensation you need for medical care, lost wages, and your future. Don’t face this battle alone—contact us today to get the legal support you deserve.
Spinal cord injuries are most commonly classified based on their location:
Injuries Cervical injury occurs in the neck portion of the spinal cord and can cause paralysis or loss of function in all four limbs.
Thoracic injuries are located in the upper back and can affect movements and functions in the body below the chest.
Since lumbar spine injuries result in a loss of mobility and functionality below the waist, they can severely limit independence.
Sacral injuries rarely cause paralysis but decrease sensation and limit function in the hips and pelvic area.
Spinal injuries themselves are further classified as “complete” or “incomplete.” In complete spinal cord injuries, there is a full loss of sensation and usefulness below the injury site, while in incomplete injury, it retains some of the functionality. A spinal cord injury is generally life-changing and irreversible, no matter how much therapy and rehab a victim undergoes.
The second leading cause of spinal injuries occurs in cars, trucks, motorcycles, and buses.
Spinal cord injuries With slip-and-fall accidents, spinal cord injuries are particularly common in older adults.
Assaults or other forms of violence can result in serious spinal trauma.
Property owners could be held liable for injuries occurring on their premises due to negligence, which can include failure to keep an area safe for living, working , or conducting business.
Fall accidents in nursing homes often result in spinal injuries, frequently caused by negligence and neglect. If that happens, the facility and its staff can be charged.
The reality of a spinal cord injury is harsh and can completely transform your lifestyle. These effects may vary in severity, but victims could:
– Loss of mobility below the injury site
– Difficulty controlling bodily functions
– Chronic nerve pain or muscle spasms
– Breathing challenges
– Sexual dysfunction
– Emotional and mental health struggles
The injuries also come with an enormous financial cost. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, for example, estimates that it costs between $1.1 million and $4.7 million over a lifetime to care for a spinal injury, depending on how severe the injury is. That is also why you might need to seek professional help, like having a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney, so you can get the compensation you deserve for future medical expenses, lost wages, or other consequences.
To seek damages, a spinal cord injury claim must prove that the liable party acted negligently. Florida law outlines several key elements:
– Duty of Care: The defendant had a legal responsibility to act safely.
– Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to meet this responsibility.
– Causation: The breach directly caused your injury.
– Damages: And you suffered both real and intangible losses in the process.
Your lawyer will gather evidence to prove your case, including medical records, bills, and testimony from witnesses who saw the accident. There may also be expert testimony about how serious your injuries are and what they will mean for your life going forward.
If you currently are facing or are navigating your way through a spinal cord injury as the direct result of an event, then the following are the steps that you need to take to protect your rights and secure the greatest settlement compensation possible:
Your health and safety must come first. Spinal injuries can become serious even if you feel okay without prompt treatment.
Take photos, collect witness information, and preserve any evidence related to the accident. These details can strengthen your case.
After a spinal injury, rehabilitation and therapy is crucial. Always follow your doctor’s orders because not doing so could jeopardize your claim.
Do not talk to insurance adjusters. One of the strategies insurance companies use is to seek to limit payouts.
Victims of spinal cord injuries may pursue two types of damages under Florida law:
These cover tangible financial losses, including:
– Medical expenses (current and future)
– Rehabilitation and assistive devices
– Lost wages and reduced earning potential
– Property damage
These address the intangible impact of the injury, such as:
– Pain and suffering
– Emotional distress
– Loss of companionship or consortium
– Reduced quality of life
In certain instances, courts may also include punitive damages if the defendant acted with gross negligence or malice.
Florida has a comparative fault regime, which means that you may be entitled to reduced compensation if you are found to be partially responsible for your injury. For example, if you’re found to be at fault for 20% of your accident, your award will be reduced by that percentage. With the assistance of a professional Spinal Cord Injury Attorney, authenticity in fault attribution will be corroborated for the maximum recovery possible.
Nothing would change if this case came to a hearing, but when it comes to experiencing the consequences of a spinal cord injury, having the right attorney in your corner is crucial to making the right moves. Kevin has experience practicing personal injury cases in all of Florida. His team knows what legal and emotional challenges you are going through and will work hard to obtain the compensation you’re entitled to.
Kevin has a solid history working in personal injury law, and he takes pride in meeting with every client himself. Whatever your case, he will guide you every step of the way.
When a spinal cord injury changes your world in a moment, you’re not Alone. Allow Kevin L. Sullivan II to be your legal champion in your quest for justice and the settlement that you, your family, and the community require for rebuilding.
Call us today at (813) 598-4868 for a free consultation.
