Spinal cord and back injuries can change your life. Not only are the medical bills a financial burden but rehabilitation can take months and even years. Once you leave the hospital, the costs associated with your daily living often go up too, due to the need for ongoing therapies, adaptive equipment, or wheelchair accommodation.
If you or someone you love suffered a back or spinal cord injury because someone else was reckless or negligent, you deserve monetary compensation. While money may not take away your chronic pain or physical challenges, it can cover your medical bills and living expenses, thereby providing peace of mind.
At Conybeare Law Office, we have been helping injured clients secure financial recovery since 1984. If you’re struggling to rebuild your life after a preventable accident, schedule a free consultation to learn how our Michigan injury lawyers can help you move forward.
Why Hire Us for Your Spinal Cord and Back Injury Claim?
Choosing Conybeare Law Office for your spinal cord injury claim ensures you receive experienced and dedicated legal representation. When you hire us, you benefit from the following advantages:
- Award-Winning Representation: For many years, Conybeare Law Office has been recognized as a Tier 1 law firm for Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation in the Kalamazoo (Southwest Michigan) Region. This distinction affirms our commitment to client satisfaction.
- We Know Insurance Companies: Our experienced attorneys know how insurance companies operate, which is essential in fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve.
- No Upfront Costs: We offer a free consultation, and our fees are contingent upon recovering damages for you. This means you do not pay attorney fees unless we secure compensation on your behalf, which reduces your financial risk.
- Statewide Reach: No matter where in Michigan your injury occurred, our services are accessible to you. We make it easier for you to get the justice you are entitled to.
- Client-Centric Approach: We prioritize your needs and rights throughout the legal process. Our personal injury attorneys and staff make sure that each client feels supported and valued from the initial consultation through the resolution of their case.
With Conybeare Law Office, you’re not just hiring a personal injury lawyer; you’re gaining a seasoned legal team that cares about your future after a spinal cord or back injury and knows how to get results. Call us today to learn how we can help.
What are the Different Types of Back and Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal cord and back injuries can vary widely in severity and impact, ranging from mild strains that require minimal treatment to catastrophic injuries that lead to permanent disability. They include:
- Soft Tissue Injuries: These are the most common type of back injuries and involve damage to the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the back. Common examples include sprains and strains. While often less severe, they can still cause significant pain and limited mobility.
- Whiplash: Common in rear-end car accidents, whiplash is a neck injury that results from the head being suddenly jerked backward and then forward. This can stretch and damage the neck muscles and ligaments.
- Herniated Discs: This injury occurs when the cushion-like discs between the vertebrae protrude or rupture. The result can be pain, numbness, or weakness in the back and limbs. Herniated discs are commonly due to sudden impact or strain and are often seen in both vehicle accidents and workplace injuries.
- Compression Fractures: These small breaks in the spinal column are often caused by strong forces such as a fall or a car crash. People with osteoporosis are particularly at risk. Compression fractures can lead to pain and reduced mobility.
- Spinal Cord Contusions or Transections: These are among the most severe spinal cord injuries. Contusions are bruises on the spinal cord, which can cause temporary or permanent damage. Transections, where the spinal cord is partially or fully severed, result in bowel dysfunction, loss of sensation, and paralysis below the level of injury.
- Dislocations and Fractures of the Spinal Vertebrae: This occurs when the bones of the spine move out of place due to trauma, potentially causing damage. These spinal cord injuries are serious and may require surgical intervention to stabilize the spine.
Each type of injury demands a specific approach to both medical treatment and legal representation. At Conybeare Law Office, we have experience dealing with different types of spinal cord and back injuries and can pursue claims that reflect the true extent of your financial losses.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
Below is an overview of different types of accidents that can injure your back or spine.
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, truck, motorcycle, and other automobile accidents are the leading causes of spinal injuries. The force of a collision can disrupt the spine’s alignment or cause direct trauma to the spinal cord itself. Our firm has extensive experience handling cases involving auto accidents and understands how to handle the associated legal challenges.
- Falls: Slip and fall incidents or falls from a height (such as ladders, roofs, or scaffolding) are common in both workplaces and public spaces. These accidents can result in severe back injuries, especially in older adults. We have successfully represented many clients who have suffered back injuries due to falls.
- Workplace Accidents: Many back and spine injuries occur in the workplace, particularly in industries involving physical labor, repetitive motion, or hazardous working conditions. Whether it’s a construction accident or a mishap in a factory setting, our legal professionals are well-versed in workers’ compensation and liability laws that protect employees’ rights.
- Medical Negligence: If not performed with extreme care, medical procedures involving the spine can lead to devastating injuries. Medical malpractice claims involving spinal injuries are complex and require a law firm with specific experience in this area.
At Conybeare Law Office, we have dealt with a broad range of spinal cord and back injury cases resulting from these various causes. Each case presents its own set of challenges and demands a tailored approach to ensure the affected person receives the maximum compensation and support for their recovery and future.
When Can You File Suit?
Spinal and back injuries can affect your quality of life. Fortunately, the legal system provides a pathway for compensation if the injury resulted from someone else’s negligence. Here are some considerations to help you determine if you should pursue a legal claim:
- Negligence: The most critical element in a personal injury case is proving that another party was negligent. This means showing that their failure to act with reasonable care led to your injury. For instance, if a property owner failed to maintain safe conditions leading to a slip and fall, you might have a case.
- Direct Cause: Your injury must be directly linked to the accident. It’s essential to have medical documentation that connects your spinal cord or back injury specifically to the incident and not to pre-existing conditions, although exacerbation of previous injuries might still result in a money recovery.
- Seriousness of the Injury: The severity of your injury impacts the viability of your case. Spinal injuries that lead to substantial medical costs, severe pain, disability, or major life changes are more likely to warrant legal action.
- Impact on Your Life: If your injury has impacted your ability to work, perform daily activities, or enjoy life as you did before the injury, these are compelling reasons to file a personal injury claim. Compensation can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
- Statute of Limitations: Each state has a statute of limitations that dictates how long after an injury you can file a lawsuit. In Michigan, this deadline is three years for most, but certainly not all, personal injury claims. For example, the basic statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is two years, and there are often short deadlines for sending written notice when your injury was caused by the government or a government employee. You should consult with a spinal injury lawyer immediately to ensure you don’t miss these deadlines.
At Conybeare Law Office, we have extensive experience evaluating the factors surrounding spinal cord and back injuries. We will advise you on the strength of your case and the best legal path forward. Our knowledgeable team can help you gather the necessary evidence and provide the skilled representation needed to pursue the compensation you deserve.
When Should You Hire a Michigan Spinal Cord and Back Injury Lawyer?
If you believe someone else’s actions or negligence caused your injury, you should consult a Michigan spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as possible. Here are some signs that professional legal representation may be warranted.
- Severe or Long-Term Injuries: If your spinal cord or back injury is severe, resulting in long-term or permanent disability, a lawyer can help you pursue compensation for ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and living adjustments needed.
- Major Life Changes: If your injury affects your ability to enjoy daily activities, work, or live independently, a spine injury lawyer can help quantify these damages and argue for fair compensation.
- Questions of Fault: When it’s unclear who is responsible for the accident, or multiple parties may be involved, a skilled lawyer can help investigate and establish liability.
- Complicated Case: Certain cases involve complex legal questions, such as those related to medical malpractice or product liability. An experienced spinal cord injury attorney can build a strong case for you.
When facing high medical bills and financial stress due to the inability to work, a Michigan personal lawyer can pursue compensation that covers all your financial losses. At Conybeare Law Office, we understand the challenges that severe injuries bring and will demand a fair settlement for you.
Compensation in an Injury Claim
The maximum settlement you can receive in a personal injury claim depends on conditions like the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life. Compensation is generally categorized into two types: economic and noneconomic damages. Each type serves to address different aspects of the losses you have incurred.
Economic Damages
These damages cover the financial expenses related to your injury. Economic losses include medical bills for treatments already received and estimated future medical care costs. It also covers lost wages if your injury has prevented you from working, as well as potential loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job or work in the same capacity as before. Economic damages aim to restore the financial position you would have been in had the injury not occurred.
Non-Economic Damages
This category compensates you for the non-financial aspects of your injury. It includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of quality of life, and loss of consortium. These damages are more subjective and can vary greatly from case to case. They recognize that the impact of an injury is not only financial but also personal and emotional.
Speak to a Michigan Spinal Cord and Back Injury Lawyer
If you are struggling to recover from a spinal cord or back injury, it’s important to understand your rights and the compensation potentially available to you. At Conybeare Law Office, we will fight for the full compensation you deserve for your suffering and losses. If you or someone you care about has been seriously injured by another party’s negligence, don’t hesitate to reach out during this challenging time. To schedule your free initial consultation, call 269-769-BEAR or fill out this contact form. Remember: if it’s not fair, call the Bear!