St. Charles Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

A spinal cord injury (SCI) could change your life in a matter of minutes. After your accident, you may suffer from temporary impairment or permanent disability, resulting in time in the hospital, missed work, and recurring pain.

A St. Charles spinal cord injury lawyer understands the challenges you and your family may face during your recovery. If someone else’s careless actions harmed you, a skilled attorney could work diligently to secure compensation for your damages and protect your legal rights.

Recoverable Damages in a St. Charles Spinal Cord Injury Case

SCIs often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, making them someone of the most challenging and expensive injuries. An injured person may also suffer from ongoing pain and emotional trauma from their accident. Some of the damages the injured party may recover in a spinal cord injury lawsuit include:

• Medical costs, including hospitalizations, therapy, surgeries, and medication;
• Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation;
• Vocational and physical therapy;
• Mobility devices, including crutches, wheelchairs, or motorized equipment;
• Home and vehicle modifications;
• Lost income;
• Emotional trauma;
• Diminished enjoyment of life.

Missouri law also permits an injured party to seek compensation for harm to their marital relationship, known as ‘loss of consortium.’ These damages could include losing a loved one’s companionship, assistance with caring for children, and sexual relations. A spinal injury cord attorney in St. Charles could fight for a settlement or court award that covers all the victim’s losses and any future medical expenses.

Holding a Responsible Party Accountable for an SCI

Before a person could be held liable for spinal cord damage caused in an accident, a lawyer must prove that the at-fault party acted negligently. The elements of negligence are:

• The wrongdoer had a duty to keep the injured party from being harmed;
• The wrongdoer breached that duty and put the injured party in danger;
• The accident was the direct cause of the victim’s injuries;
• The victim suffered physical, emotional, or financial damages because of the negligence.

For example, a pool owner may have incorrectly marked the depth of the water. If they invite someone over to swim, and the guest, believing that the pool is much deeper, dives in and suffers a broken neck, the pool owner may be found negligent. The owner had a duty to adequately warn the guest of the pool’s depth and the dangers of diving and failed to do so, and that failure led to the injury and resulting medical bills.

Expert Testimony Regarding Spinal Cord Injuries

Because spinal cord injuries can result in permanent disability, presenting expert testimony may be essential to an injured party’s claim. Doctors, vocational rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, could testify about a plaintiff’s future medical needs and the impact the injury had on their daily life. A St. Charles attorney experienced in SCI cases could retain qualified experts and present their testimony to a judge.

Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuits

Missouri Revised Statutes §516.120 requires an injured person to file a claim for damages within five years from the date of their accident. A judge in St. Charles may dismiss any spinal cord injury claim filed after this deadline. Because a dismissal could result in no money for the accident victim, working with a lawyer can be essential.

A St. Charles Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Could Fight for Your Rights

Spinal cord injuries can be devastating, resulting in loss of sensation, coordination, and mobility. If you or a family member suffered a spinal cord injury and you believe someone else is at fault, a St. Charles spinal cord injury lawyer could help.

An experienced attorney from Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers could review your case, determine liability, and calculate your damages. Whether it is negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier or presenting your case in court, a lawyer from our team could pursue compensation for your injuries and help you move on with your life. Call today to schedule an initial consultation.