A spinal cord injury is often severe and one of the most devastating types of injuries a person can sustain. It can lead to lifelong disabilities, profound emotional trauma, and significant financial burdens.
If you or a loved one has experienced a spinal cord injury due to an accident or negligence, understanding your legal rights is a crucial step toward securing the compensation and justice you deserve. At Sieben Edmunds Miller, our team of Minneapolis spinal injury lawyers understand that navigating the aftermath of such an injury can be daunting and confusing.
This blog breaks down the basic rights of spinal cord injury victims and provides guidance to start the process of rebuilding life after an accident.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury occurs when trauma causes damage to the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete loss of motor function and sensation below the level of injury. The effects can range from temporary numbness to permanent paralysis, depending on the severity and location of the damage. Common causes include motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, and workplace incidents.
A spinal cord injury can turn your life upside down – not just because of the immediate medical treatment it requires, but because of the long-term changes that follow. From ongoing therapy and rehab to specialized equipment and home modifications, the impact can touch every part of your daily life, including your job, relationships, and overall sense of well-being.
Your Fundamental Rights After a Spinal Cord Injury
If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury, understanding your legal rights is a critical first step toward getting the justice and compensation you deserve. These rights exist to protect you and support your journey toward recovery.
Here’s what you should know:
You Have the Right to Full Compensation
You’re entitled to seek compensation for the full scope of losses tied to your injury. That means not just covering past and future medical bills, but also ongoing rehab, assistive technology, home modifications, and any lost income – both now and down the road. The goal is to help you live as independently and comfortably as possible.
You Have the Right to a Fair and Unbiased Review
Your case deserves to be evaluated objectively. Insurance companies, employers, and other responsible parties must respect your rights and assess your situation fairly, without bias or delay.
You Have the Right to Strong Legal Support
Spinal cord injury cases can be incredibly complex. Working with a knowledgeable Minnesota spinal injury attorney can make all the difference. A good lawyer will help you understand your options, build a strong case, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
You Have the Right to a Thorough Investigation
You have the right to a detailed look into how your injury happened. That includes collecting all the key evidence – police reports, medical records, witness statements, and more – to clearly show who was at fault.
Don’t let a lack of awareness about your legal rights after a spinal cord injury prevent you from receiving the compensation you deserve. Often, victims are unaware that the circumstances of their injury may entitle them to significant damages beyond initial insurance settlements. Understanding your rights is the first crucial step in ensuring your voice is heard and you receive the full support necessary to rebuild your life.
How a Minnesota Spinal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Hiring a spinal cord attorney in Minnesota is vital, given the complexity of such cases and helps you pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages typically refer to medical bills, rehabilitation costs, assistive devices, home or vehicle modifications, and lost wages, and long-term or lifelong needs, while non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and decreased quality of life.
A spinal cord lawyer can assist you in:
- Evaluating Your Case: They will review the circumstances of your injury, determine liable parties, and identify all sources of compensation.
- Gathering Evidence: From accident reports to medical records, your lawyer will collect and preserve crucial evidence to support your claim.
- Handling Insurance Negotiations: Insurance companies might try to minimize payouts. Your spinal cord attorney will negotiate aggressively and fairly on your behalf.
- Litigation and Court Representation: If necessary, your lawyer will take your case to court, advocating for your rights and fighting for the maximum compensation.
Having spinal injury legal help ensures that you meet all filing deadlines, understand the full scope of damages available, and pursue fair compensation. It also helps prevent insurance adjusters from offering settlements that are far less than your case is worth.
Begin Your Path to Justice and Compensation Today
The journey after a spinal cord injury is often long and filled with challenges, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Understanding your legal rights after a spinal injury is a powerful first step towards securing the financial resources and support you need to face the future with greater confidence.
At Sieben Edmunds Miller, our Minnesota spinal injury lawyers provide compassionate and effective legal representation to victims and their families.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We are here to answer your questions, evaluate your case, and fight tirelessly to protect your rights and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
