The spinal column is among the most vital structures in the human body. Connecting the brain to the rest of the body, the spinal cord is responsible for relaying messages to enable both muscular movement and sensory perception. When the spinal cord suffers damage due to injury, the physical consequences can be life-altering. In addition to physical pain, intensive and expensive medical treatments, and lost income, many victims of spinal cord injuries also suffer debilitating PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury, our Long Island spinal cord injury lawyers stand ready to give you the support and advocacy you need as you seek compensation for your injury-related losses. The Long Island spinal cord injury attorneys at The Perecman Firm, have the experience and resources to optimize your chances of a successful claim.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation with a spinal injury attorney on Long Island.
NO FEES
UNLESS WE WIN YOUR CASE
Choosing the Right Long Island Spinal Injury Lawyer
When seeking compensation for your spinal cord injury, your choice of a personal injury attorney could be one of the most significant factors affecting the outcome of your claim. Choosing the right lawyer could mean the difference between securing the compensation you deserve and walking away with much less or even nothing. With so much at stake, you do not want to leave your future up to chance.
The experienced Long Island spinal cord injury lawyers at The Perecman Firm, have the resources, skills, and results that demonstrate our readiness to fight for maximum compensation for you. Our team has been advocating for the rights of injured New Yorkers for over 40 years. In that time, we have recovered more than half a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements to help our clients move forward with dignity. We look forward to getting to work for you, too.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can range from mild to severe, with varying degrees of impairment and disability. The main types of spinal cord injuries include:
- Incomplete spinal cord injuries – In an incomplete spinal cord injury, the spinal cord is partially severed, and the victim retains some degree of sensory and motor function below the injury site.
- Complete spinal cord injuries – A complete spinal cord injury is the most severe type of spinal cord injury, where the cord is completely severed, resulting in a total loss of sensory and motor function below the injury site.
- Hemiplegia – Hemiplegia is a form of paralysis that affects only the right or the left side of the body. The condition may be temporary or permanent.
- Paraplegia – This condition results from injuries to the thoracic or lumbar regions of the spinal cord, causing paralysis of the legs and lower body, while the arms and upper body retain sensation and function.
- Tetraplegia (quadriplegia) – Injuries to the cervical region of the spinal cord can lead to tetraplegia, which causes paralysis of all four limbs and impairs bodily functions like breathing and bladder control.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries on Long Island
Spinal cord injuries can occur due to various causes, including:
- Motor vehicle accidents – Car crashes, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian-vehicle collisions are among the leading causes of spinal cord injuries on Long Island.
- Falls – Falls from heights, such as from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, or stairs, can cause severe spinal cord damage. Older individuals are particularly prone to spinal cord damage from falls.
- Sports and recreational activities – High-impact sports like football, diving, and extreme sports can lead to spinal cord injuries due to forceful impacts or collisions.
- Workplace accidents – Construction sites, factories, and other industrial settings pose risks for spinal cord injuries resulting from falls, falling objects, or equipment malfunctions.
- Violence and assaults – Gunshot wounds, stabbings, and other acts of violence can cause traumatic spinal cord injuries.
Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries on Victims and Their Families
Spinal cord injuries can have a profound and far-reaching impact on victims and their families, both physically and emotionally. Some examples of the potential effects of spinal cord injuries include:
- Physical limitations – Spinal cord injury victims may experience partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and impaired mobility, which can significantly alter their quality of life and their ability to function independently.
- Medical expenses – Spinal cord injuries often require extensive medical treatment, which may include surgery, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and long-term care, resulting in substantial financial burdens.
- Lost income and employment – Victims may be unable to return to their previous jobs or careers, resulting in a loss of income and financial stability for themselves and their families.
- Emotional and psychological trauma – Spinal cord injuries can take a toll on victims’ mental health. Many patients face conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Caregiver burden – Family members may need to take on the role of caregivers, which can be physically and emotionally demanding and can also affect their ability to work and maintain their own well-being.
Medical Treatments and Rehabilitation for Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries often require a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to treatment and rehabilitation:
- Emergency care to stabilize the injury, prevent further damage, and address any life-threatening complications
- Surgery to decompress the spinal cord, stabilize the spine, or address other complications.
- Rehabilitation to regain as much function as possible through exercises, assistive devices, and adaptive techniques
- Medication for pain management, muscle relaxation, and secondary complications
- Assistive devices and home modifications
- Psychological support
Compensation for Spinal Cord Injury Victims on Long Island
Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, spinal cord damage could qualify you for significant compensation. When you work with a Long Island spinal cord injury attorney at The Perecman Firm, we will fight to recover compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses, including ambulance transport, emergency room treatment, doctor visits, specialized equipment, medications, physical and occupational therapy, and mental health treatments
- Lost income due to missed time at work
- Reduced earning capacity if you develop a disability preventing you from returning to your previous job
- Physical and psychological pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The value of your claim will depend on many factors. A knowledgeable Long Island spinal cord injury lawyer from our firm can analyze your unique situation to help you understand how much you may be eligible to recover.
How Our Law Firm Helps People with Spinal Injuries
When you work with The Perecman Firm, our spinal injury attorneys on Long Island will help optimize your chances of success by:
- Listening compassionately to your story so we can formulate a robust plan to recover what you deserve
- Thoroughly investigating the accident to determine what occurred and who was at fault
- Calculating the total value of your claim
- Negotiating aggressively with the insurance company to secure a settlement that will cover the full extent of your losses
- Taking your case to trial if necessary
Our goal is to maximize your compensation and minimize your stress at every stage of the spinal cord injury claim process. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.