If you or a loved one has experienced a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, contacting an experienced Buffalo spinal cord injury lawyer should be your priority. A spinal cord injury (SCI) can drastically alter your life, affecting mobility, independence, and financial stability. At O’Brien & Ford, we understand the profound impact these injuries have on victims and families, and we’re dedicated to providing compassionate, skilled legal representation tailored to your specific circumstances.

Your Legal Options After a Spinal Cord Injury

When dealing with the aftermath of a spinal cord injury, knowing your legal rights is crucial. You might be entitled to pursue compensation if your injury was caused by negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing. Potential legal options include:

  • Filing a personal injury lawsuit against responsible parties involves gathering evidence, establishing liability, and pursuing damages through court proceedings.
  • Pursuing insurance claims to cover medical and rehabilitation expenses typically entails negotiating with insurance companies to assure adequate compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
  • Negotiating settlements with liable parties outside of court, aiming to secure fair compensation without the lengthy litigation process, which can often result in faster financial relief.

In addition to these primary approaches, alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation or arbitration might also be viable options. These alternatives allow parties to engage in discussions facilitated by neutral third parties, potentially leading to a quicker, less contentious, and mutually agreeable resolution. Regardless of the path chosen, it’s essential to consult with a knowledgeable attorney who can recommend the best course of action based on your unique situation and advocate vigorously on your behalf.

A lawyer can evaluate your case thoroughly, guide you through your options, and aggressively advocate on your behalf.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries & Their Impact on Victims

Spinal cord injuries vary significantly in severity and impact. Common classifications include:

  • Complete injuries: These injuries result in a total loss of movement and sensation below the injury site, completely disrupting communication between the brain and the body below the injury.
  • Incomplete injuries: These involve partial loss of movement and sensation, varying widely in severity, and often allow some level of recovery or improvement with extensive rehabilitation.

Common impacts of spinal cord injuries include:

  • Paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia) severely restricts movement and independence, which can permanently change the victim’s quality of life.
  • Chronic pain and nerve damage lead to continuous discomfort, dependence on medication, and emotional distress.
  • Respiratory complications, such as spinal cord injuries, can impair breathing ability, potentially necessitating mechanical ventilation or other respiratory aids.
  • Reduced independence and quality of life, including significant lifestyle changes, emotional challenges, and dependence on assistance for daily living activities.

These injuries often necessitate long-term medical care, extensive rehabilitation, and significant lifestyle adjustments.

Buffalo spinal cord injury lawyer

Important Statistics You Should Know About Spinal Cord Injuries

Knowing the frequency and effects of spinal cord injuries underscores the gravity of these cases:

  • Approximately 17,810 spinal cord injury cases occur annually in the United States, highlighting the commonality and serious nature of these injuries (National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center).
  • Vehicle accidents cause nearly 38% of spinal cord injuries, making car crashes one of the leading causes of severe injury and long-term disability.
  • Falls account for approximately 32% of spinal cord injuries, often impacting older adults and resulting in serious, life-altering consequences.
  • Lifetime care costs for SCI victims can surpass several million dollars, depending on age and severity of injury, indicating the financial strain placed on victims and families.

These statistics highlight the importance of obtaining strong legal representation to secure adequate compensation for lifelong needs.

Legal Approaches for Pursuing a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit in Buffalo

In Buffalo, spinal cord injury claims are generally based on negligence. To establish negligence, we must prove:

  • A duty of care existed, meaning the responsible party had a legal obligation to act in a way that would not cause harm.
  • There was a breach of duty through negligent or intentional acts, demonstrating that the responsible party failed to uphold their duty.
  • The breach directly caused your injury, linking the negligent act clearly and conclusively to your spinal cord injury.
  • Damages incurred due to the injury, detailing the financial, emotional, and physical consequences resulting from the injury.

Our firm meticulously gathers evidence, including medical records, witness statements, expert testimony, and accident reports, to build a compelling case on your behalf.

How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?

In New York State, you typically have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This timeframe, known as the statute of limitations, is strict, and failing to meet this deadline may bar you permanently from pursuing compensation. Promptly consulting a Buffalo spinal cord injury attorney ensures that critical deadlines are not missed.

Common Defendants in Spinal Cord Injury Cases & Their Liability

Identifying liable parties is essential in spinal cord injury cases. Common defendants include:

  • Negligent drivers in automobile accidents who fail to exercise reasonable care cause collisions that result in serious injuries.
  • Property owners for slip and fall incidents due to unsafe conditions such as wet floors, poor lighting, or improperly maintained walkways.
  • Employers in workplace accidents, particularly when safety standards are ignored or proper training is not provided, leading to serious spinal injuries.
  • Manufacturers of defective products cause injury, including cases where product failures lead directly to spinal cord damage.

Each party’s liability is established based on their responsibility and the evidence demonstrating negligence or fault.

What Compensation Is Available for Spinal Cord Injury Cases in Buffalo?

Compensation in spinal cord injury lawsuits aims to cover both economic and non-economic damages, including:

  • Medical expenses: Compensation covers all medical costs, from initial emergency treatment to ongoing medical care, surgeries, medications, and specialist consultations.
  • Rehabilitation and therapy: Funding for long-term physical, occupational, and emotional therapies required to improve quality of life and independence.
  • Lost wages and earning capacity: Recovery for current lost income due to missed work and compensation for future earnings affected by the inability to return to previous employment or profession.
  • Pain and suffering: Damages for physical pain, emotional trauma, psychological distress, and overall diminished quality of life due to injury.
  • Home modifications and accessibility aids: Coverage for necessary alterations to your home and specialized equipment to accommodate mobility limitations and ensure your safety and comfort.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation addressing the inability to engage in recreational and social activities enjoyed prior to the injury.

Our firm diligently documents and quantifies each area of loss to make sure you receive comprehensive and fair compensation.

Contact a Skilled Buffalo Spinal Cord Injury Attorney to Discuss Your Case

Taking swift action after a spinal cord injury can significantly impact your future. At O’Brien & Ford, we prioritize personalized attention, rigorous case preparation, and compassionate guidance throughout your legal journey. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you secure the justice and compensation you deserve.