Any accident that causes damage to your spine can cause catastrophic and life-changing harm. Because the spine—more specifically, the spinal cord inside it—cannot heal by itself the way most other body parts can, any damage done to this area is often permanent. Spinal cord injuries usually lead to a loss of some or all function and feeling below the part of the back or neck where the injury happened.
If you sustained a spinal cord injury because someone else acted recklessly or carelessly, speaking with an Allentown spinal cord injury lawyer about your options for demanding civil compensation should be a priority. With a capable injury attorney’s help, you can more effectively pursue the money you need to deal with the various financial and personal effects of your accident.
Some lawyers avoid spinal cord injury cases and other catastrophic injury claims. At Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, we do not back down from serious cases like these. In fact, Jon Ostroff and the rest of our experienced team have helped injury victims in every county of Pennsylvania recover financially after accidents. In one recent case, we were able to recover $1.1 million for a laborer who suffered a T-12 compression fracture, an L1-L2 transverse process fracture, and other severe injuries when a traffic signal pole fell on him. To learn more about how we can help you after your spinal injury, give us a call today.
What Makes Spinal Cord Injuries So Serious?
“Spinal cord” is the medical term for the many nerves that run from the brain all the way to the bottom of the spine. They act as the central pathway that signals going to and from the brain travel through. If these nerves get damaged, those signals get cut off at the point where the damage occurred, which means communication between the brain and all parts of the body below that point are completely cut off.
Because of this, spinal cord injuries closer to the neck are more severe than injuries farther away from the neck. Lower back injuries will result in partial paraplegia, which means paralysis below the waist, while upper back or neck injuries can sometimes cause quadriplegia, which is paralysis of the whole body except for the head. A knowledgeable Allentown spinal cord accident attorney can pursue fair compensation on your behalf for the effects of either type of injury.
Another factor that affects the seriousness of a spinal cord injury is whether the injury is “complete” or “incomplete.” A complete injury involves the spinal cord being completely cut into separate pieces, while an incomplete injury means that the spinal cord is only partially torn, twisted, or bruised. Incomplete injuries are less severe than complete injuries. Accident victims with incomplete injuries can sometimes recover from the damage done to them through months of rehabilitation and in some cases, surgery. Complete injuries, on the other hand, are permanent and cause complete paralysis below the injury.
What Time Limits Apply to Spinal Cord Accident Cases?
Even though spinal cord injuries very often cause lifelong harm, Pennsylvania state law still limits how long you can wait after getting hurt in this way before filing a civil lawsuit. This time limit is two years after the injury actually happened, although there are certain rare exceptions.
Anyone who does not file a claim before this deadline passes will lose the right to obtain compensation. This is one of many reasons why contacting a lawyer after a spinal cord injury in Allentown can be so important. Getting started as early as possible gives a lawyer time to assess your case, gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and file all relevant paperwork within the state’s required timeline.
Get in Touch with a Seasoned Allentown Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Spinal cord damage is one of the most severe effects an accident in Pennsylvania can have. If you do not have help from an experienced legal professional, trying to get the compensation that your entitled to will be very unlikely.
A knowledgeable Allentown spinal cord injury lawyer can act as your legal advocate, handling the intricacies of your case so that you can focus on your rehabilitation from your injuries. Schedule your free consultation today to get started.
