Any kind of accident that results in injury is serious, but whenever someone injures the spine, the stakes could be even higher. The spinal cord is essential to being able to live your day-to-day life, and any damage to it could lead to severe and potentially life-long complications.
An injury to the spinal cord could require expensive medical attention immediately after the accident or even permanently. When victims and their loved ones are faced with these bills, they may need to contact a Johnstown spinal cord injury lawyer to protect their rights and pursue fair compensation. With the help of a seasoned traumatic injury attorney, you may be able to get the compensation you deserve from the responsible parties.
Claimants must meet four legal requirements to recover compensation. First, the plaintiff must prove that the person who caused the accident owed a duty of care. Second, the injured party must also show that the defendant breached that duty or failed to act as a reasonable person would have acted in that situation.
Third, the claimant has to show that the breach of duty caused the accident. Finally, fourth, the plaintiff has to prove damages, which means the victim suffered losses. It is essential that plaintiffs ensure that they are able to meet each of the requirements and finding the necessary evidence to do so may be easier with the help of a compassionate Johnstown lawyer who has experience handling spinal cord injuries.
The spinal cord could be damaged due to extreme pressure during a traumatic accident, and spinal injuries are often the result of car accidents, slip and falls, sports accidents, and acts of violence.
Claimants should note that there may be multiple parties potentially responsible for a spinal cord injury, ranging from a reckless driver to a negligent surgeon, depending on the case’s circumstances.
Claimants may be eligible to seek three forms of compensation in a spinal cord injury suit. The first is economic damages to cover measurable losses caused by the accident, which can include loss of wages, lost earning potential, out-of-pocket expenses, and medical expenses.
The second form is non-economic damages, which cover the more intangible damage of physical and emotional pain and suffering. These damages are non-economic because it is more difficult to assign a value to these damages.
The final form of compensation available in a suit is known as punitive damages, where a defendant’s conduct was egregious enough that the court punishes the defendant for being callous. Courts reserve this form of compensation for the worst cases, so awards are rare.
A seasoned Johnstown spinal cord injury lawyer at Marcus & Mack could investigate the facts of your case and figure out who may be held responsible for your injury and hold them accountable. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options with a free initial consultation.
