Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers in Raleigh, NC 

Helping Clients When Dangers Result in a Serious Spine Injury

The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs down the center of the back. These nerves are responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. A spinal cord injury can occur when these nerves are damaged. Spinal cord injuries can be caused by falls, car accidents, and violence. They can also occur at work, particularly in occupations that involve lifting heavy objects or working in dangerous conditions.

A spinal cord injury can have a devastating effect on a victim’s life. These injuries often result in paralysis, which can be partial or complete. The level of paralysis depends on the location and severity of the injury. A blow to the middle spine will affect the legs, causing paraplegia; an injury higher up on the spine may affect all limbs, resulting in quadriplegia.

Spinal cord injuries are among the most crippling ailments reported in workers’ compensation claims. They typically result from some violent action such as a car crash, a fall from a significant height, or being struck by some heavy object. People can also be injured from lifting injuries. This could result in slipped disks, bulging disks, herniated disks, and even fractures.

In seconds, you can go from being whole and fully functioning to being unable to control your extremities. Spinal cord injuries not only diminish the quality of life, but they decrease actual life expectancy. The loss to the individual harmed by a spinal cord injury is great indeed.

Because the costs associated with treatment and rehabilitation of a spinal cord injury are often extensive, it is important to have a workers’ compensation attorney on your side to protect your interests. The attorneys at O’Malley Tunstall, PC, in Raleigh, North Carolina, are experienced in handling these difficult spinal cord injury lawsuit claims. When you retain our firm, we will do everything in our power to help you recover the full and fair value of your claim.

How do Spinal Cord Injuries Happen? 

Not all spinal cord injuries happen in the workplace, but many do. These are some of the most common ways workers suffer spinal cord injuries:

• Falls: Falls from heights, such as falling off a ladder or scaffolding, account for a large percentage of workplace spinal cord injuries.
• Heavy lifting: Workers who must lift heavy objects are at risk for back injuries that can damage the spinal cord.
• Repetitive motion: Repetitive motion injuries, such as those suffered by assembly line workers, can also cause damage to the spine.
• Vehicle accidents: Workers who drive for a living, such as truck drivers, are at risk of suffering a spinal cord injury in a motor vehicle accident.

These accidents often happen because employers fail to provide a safe work environment or because they fail to properly train their employees in safety procedures. When this happens, the employer can be held liable for any injuries that occur.

The consequences of a spinal cord injury vary depending on the severity of the injury and its location. In some cases, victims may lose feeling and movement in their extremities. In other cases, they may suffer paralysis. The most serious injuries can result in death.

Employer lawyers may portray your injuries as unrelated to work. That’s when our forensic skills and our network of medical authorities become valuable. We have the knowledge and the resources to establish beyond doubt when your injury was related to your job.

What are the Costs of a Spinal Cord Injury? 

The costs associated with a spinal cord injury can be significant. Victims may require extensive medical treatment, including surgery, hospitalization, and rehabilitation. They may also need long-term care and assistance with activities of daily living. In some cases, victims may never be able to return to work.

When someone suffers a spinal cord injury, their life is changed forever. Suddenly, they are faced with a future of disability and dependence. The physical and emotional toll of a spinal cord injury is immense.

The impact of a spinal cord injury goes far beyond the victim. Their family members must also cope with the changes that have been wrought by the injury. Spouses may have to take on the role of caretaker, and children may have to grow up without one or both parents. The life-changing effect of spinal cord injuries cannot be overstated. These injuries are devastating for the victim and their loved ones.

All of these costs can add up quickly, leaving victims and their families struggling to make ends meet. This is where workers’ compensation comes in. Workers’ compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that provides benefits to injured workers. These benefits can help with medical expenses and lost wages.

In order to receive workers’ compensation benefits, you must first notify your employer of your injury and file a claim. Your employer or their insurance company will then have the opportunity to accept or deny your claim. If your claim is denied, you will need to appeal the decision. The appeals process can be complicated, and it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side.

What Type of Compensation can I Receive in my Case?

In most cases, a spinal cord injury will result in some form of paralysis. The amount of paralysis and the body parts affected will play a large role in the type and amount of compensation you may be eligible to receive. For example, loss of use of your legs would entitle you to different benefits than someone who is paralyzed from the chest down. In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, you may also be able to seek damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, and future medical expenses.

If your employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, you may still be eligible for benefits through the North Carolina Industrial Commission. The Industrial Commission is a state agency that provides benefits to injured workers in cases where their employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance.

If you have been injured at work and are suffering from a spinal cord injury, it is important to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. Workers’ compensation is a complicated and confusing system, and an experienced attorney will guarantee that you receive the benefits you are entitled to.

Will a Lawyer Help me Win My Spinal Cord Injury Claim?

There is no question that a spinal cord injury lawyer can help you win your claim. Many personal injury lawyers will not even take on a client unless they are confident they can get them a fair settlement. This is because these cases can be very complex, and often require expert testimony to prove the full extent of the injuries suffered.

A good lawyer will also be experienced in dealing with insurance companies, which is important because they will likely be unwilling to give you a fair settlement without a fight. If you have been seriously injured in an accident, it is important to seek out legal counsel as soon as possible so that you can get started on the road to recovery.

No lawyer can guarantee that you will win your case, but having an experienced attorney on your side will give you the best chance of success. The workers’ compensation system is complex, and it can be difficult to navigate without a lawyer.

An experienced workers’ compensation attorney will help you gather the evidence you need to prove your claim and build a strong case. They will also handle all of the paperwork and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. This will allow you to focus on your recovery while we handle the legal details of your case.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a workplace accident, contact O’Malley Tunstall, PC today at (919) 277-0150 for a free consultation. We will review your case and advise you of your legal options. There is never a charge for case evaluation meetings, and we charge you no attorney fees unless we win for you. We help clients throughout Eastern North Carolina.