The Lifelong Costs of a Serious Spinal Cord Injury
A severe spinal cord injury will permanently alter the lives of both victims and their loved ones. The costs associated with lifelong treatment and care can quickly run into the millions of dollars. Because of this, it is especially important for victims of severe spinal cord injuries to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer in San Hose about their legal rights.
At Deldar Legal, our San Jose spinal cord injury lawyers know how to handle complex injury cases and how to prove the many costs and intangible losses associated with a serious spinal cord injury. We regularly work medical professionals, financial professionals, and other expert witnesses to make a compelling case to an insurance company or jury. Call (844) 335-3271 today to schedule your free consultation. Our attorneys fight hard for victims of serious injuries.
Startling Statistics
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation has published some jarring statistics about the costs of spinal cord injuries. For quadriplegics with high spinal cord injuries (at the first through fourth cervical vertebrae), costs were estimated to be $1,064,716 the first year after injury and $184,891 for every subsequent year. Lower spinal cord injuries (at the fifth cervical vertebrae and below) cost $769,351 the first year and $113,423 for each subsequent year of care. Paraplegic injuries cost an estimated $518,904 in the first year and $68,739 in subsequent years, while incomplete motor function (at any spinal level) resulted in average costs of $347,484 and $42,206 in subsequent years.
These estimates only accounted for healthcare costs and living expenses. They did not cover indirect costs such as pain and suffering, lost wages and employment benefits, lost productivity to employers, and other indirect expenses.
Compensable Losses in a Spinal Injury Claim
Both the direct and indirect losses and expenses associated with spinal cord injuries are often compensable. With complex, serious, and long-term injuries (such as serious spinal cord injuries), these numbers can quickly become staggering.
Medical bills
You are entitled to compensation for all the medical bills you have incurred as a result of an accident. You are also entitled to compensation for all the medical bills you are likely to incur in the future as a result of the accident. In the case of a serious spinal cord injury, victims are often left with medical expenses for the rest of their lives. It can be difficult to estimate these future medical expenses. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to find the right expert witnesses to clarify these issues and present their testimony persuasively to the insurance company or jury.
Ongoing Living and Medical Care Expenses
When a spinal cord injury victim has limited mobility, he or she will incur significant living expenses. Many home modifications will be required. Wheelchairs and other mobility equipment will be necessary, and likely have to be replaced every few years for the rest of the injury victim’s life. In the most serious cases, the victim may require full-time in-home care or may need to live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility, both of which can be extremely expensive. A defendant whose negligence caused your injuries is legally obligated to pay for these costs. According to Seniorly, assisted living for seniors in Los Angeles averages about $4500 per month. Assisted living services for spinal cord victims can be much, much more expensive. Victims who need help to bathe, eat, and perform other simple tasks will require intensive, around-the-clock care, which can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars every year.
Lost wages
In simple cases, lost wages are found by simply multiplying the employee’s hourly wage by the number of hours he or she missed due to the accident. But in the cases of a permanent injury or disability, lost wages are far more complex. An injury victim who is unable to return to work at all is entitled to compensation for all wages he or she would have earned between the time of the accident and retirement. The victim is also entitled to the value of benefits paid by an employer, such as health insurance or retirement contributions.
If your injuries have forced you to work fewer hours, or in a position that is less physically demanding, you will likely be paid less. A negligent defendant must pay you the difference between your new (lower) income and what you would have been earning without your injuries. As you can imagine, this loss of future income can quickly add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. You have a significant financial interest in the legal right to be compensated for these losses.
Lost Enjoyment of Life
Serious injuries prevent victims from doing the things they love and used to enjoy. In addition to the financial losses associated with lost earning capacity, the law permits you to recover for lost enjoyment of life. An injury victim who can no longer hunt, travel, play sports, or even just play with his or her grandchildren is entitled to compensation for these losses. Because it is difficult to put a dollar amount on these losses, the guidance of an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer is essential.
Speak with a San Jose Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
At Deldar Legal, we are committed to protecting the rights of injury victims and their families. Since 2004, our catastrophic injury attorneys have fought for clients in the San Jose and Los Angeles areas to obtain the compensation they deserve. Whether we resolve your case through settlement or litigation, we will be by your side, fighting for maximum compensation for your injuries.
Call (844) 335-3271 to speak with a catastrophic injury lawyer at Deldar Legal, or contact us online. We have three offices in the state to serve our clients conveniently.