The spinal cord plays a critical role in the functioning of the human body. It serves as the primary communication link between the brain and the rest of the body. Due to its importance and sensitivity, injuries to the spinal cord can lead to lifelong complications ranging from severe pain to loss of movement and bodily functions.
Spinal cord injuries are among the most severe consequences of workplace accidents in New York City. If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury at work in New York, the lawyers at The Perecman Firm, are ready to fight for the fair compensation you deserve. Reach out today for a free consultation.
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Why You Need Our Lawyers After a Workplace Spinal Cord Injury in NYC
Over the past four decades, the attorneys at The Perecman Firm, have secured more than half a billion dollars for our clients to compensate for their injuries, including workplace spinal cord injuries. When you retain our spinal cord injury at work law firm, you can rest easy in the knowledge that we will devote our time, resources, and attention to your case and strive to secure the highest possible amount of compensation available for you.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves and cells running from the lower brain to the lower back. It’s responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and other parts of the body. When you experience a spinal cord injury, the resulting nerve damage compromises the ability of the spinal cord to relay those messages, often leading to some form of paralysis.
The extent and type of effects you experience after a spinal cord injury depend on the location of the damage. Generally, the closer the injury site is to your head, the greater the affected area of your body. For example, a cervical spinal cord injury affecting the head and neck region can result in quadriplegia and severely limit independent functioning. Damage somewhat lower on the spine could cause paraplegia, affecting only the lower part of the body.
What Are the Leading Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries at Work in NYC?
Spinal cord injuries can occur in any NYC workplace, but the construction and transportation industries present the greatest risk.
Potential causes of spinal cord injuries at work include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Accidents involving heavy equipment
- Slip and fall accidents
- Falls from heights
- Accidents involving ladders or scaffolding
- Being hit by a falling or flying object
- Repetitive stress
If your injury resulted from any type of workplace accident in NYC, talk to our spine injury at work attorneys to learn more about your options for pursuing compensation.
What Are the Main Types of Workplace Spinal Cord Injuries?
There are two main classifications of spinal cord injuries:
- Incomplete — An incomplete spinal cord injury means there’s still some communication between the brain and the affected area of the spinal cord, and some sensation and muscle control remain below the injury site.
- Complete — A complete injury to the spinal cord means sensory and motor function below the injury are permanently lost. There’s no communication between the affected area and the brain.
The classification and location of your spinal cord injury are key factors that will affect your treatment options, recovery process, and long-term prognosis. They will also factor into any compensation you might be able to receive for your injury.
Treatments for Workplace Spinal Cord Injuries
A suspected spinal cord injury must be treated with great care immediately following an accident. Measures include placing the neck in a rigid collar or brace and administering a sedative to prevent movement.
Once you’ve arrived at the hospital, medical professionals may perform a spinal realignment as well as perform surgery to remove anything that may be putting pressure on your spinal column.
Over the long term, treatment and rehabilitation may be necessary to assist with breathing, circulation, muscle function, bladder and bowel function, pain, and other complications associated with a traumatic spinal cord injury. Additionally, because this type of injury is so life-changing, many patients benefit from psychological treatment and other therapies to improve their quality of life.
The treatments for spinal cord injuries are involved and extensive. Our spinal cord injuries at work lawyers stand ready to fight for compensation to cover the associated costs, which can be considerable.
What Qualifies for a Workplace Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?
As someone who works in New York, your options could extend beyond workers’ compensation benefits and into personal injury law. Our attorneys can analyze your specific situation to determine all your options for compensation.
For example, employers on construction sites must provide appropriate protection for their workers under New York Labor Law Section 241. Injured workers can sue under this law even if they bear some responsibility for the accident.
Under Section 240 (the Scaffold Law), property owners and general contractors at work sites can be liable in accident cases involving falls or falling objects. That is the case regardless of whether the owner or contractor was directly involved in the accident. Comparative negligence on the worker’s part cannot be used as a defense.
Section 200, meanwhile, applies to a larger range of workplace accidents. The key differences are that victims must demonstrate negligence on the owner or contractor’s part, and the victim’s comparative negligence can be considered.
How Much Could You Get for a Spine Injury at Work?
The amount of compensation you may receive following a workplace spinal cord injury depends on a variety of factors. Chief among these are the type and severity of the injury, the existing and anticipated medical expenses, and the extent to which you can physically recover.
Our experienced attorneys want to help you pursue compensation for losses like your medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain, suffering, and other damages associated with your workplace spinal cord injury.
Deadline for Filing a Workplace Spinal Cord Injury Claim in NYC
In New York, you typically have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim for a spinal cord injury you suffered in the workplace. Workers’ compensation claims have an even shorter deadline of just two years from the accident date. Certain limited circumstances could shorten or extend the timeline, but if you miss the cutoff, you will most likely lose your right to pursue compensation and benefits.
Due to the complexity of investigating and arguing these cases, it’s essential that you initiate this process with our experienced attorneys as soon as possible following the accident. Let us get started on your case, and leave it to us to make sure everything is filed on time.
How The Perecman Firm, Can Help You After an On-the-Job Spinal Cord Injury
The New York City spinal cord injury at work attorneys at The Perecman Firm, are dedicated to seeking maximum compensation for medical treatment, lost income, and other losses associated with a traumatic spinal injury in the workplace. We devote ourselves to handling the legal process so you can focus on your recovery.
We’re ready to put our experience and passion to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.