Spinal cord injuries are one of the most catastrophic injuries that a person can endure. Each year nearly 18,000 new spinal cord injury (SCI) cases are reported in the United States, the majority affecting men. These injuries can vary in severity, but many tend to cause an immediate change in the lives of the victims. Spinal cord injury victims feel the impact of this sort of injury in every aspect of their life; mentally, emotionally, and socially.
Spinal cord injuries are debilitating and devastating and all too often permanent if not fatal. Motor vehicle accidents are the most frequent cause in the younger populations with accidental falls causing SCI in people over 65. Acts of violence and sports/recreation activities, workplace accidents, construction site accidents, sports injuries, gunshot wounds, falls, and criminal attacks are other common causes for these injuries.
Devastating Expenses of a Spinal Cord Injury
The average acute care hospital stay for a person who has sustained a spinal cord injury is 11 days followed by 30 days of care in a rehabilitation facility. The average yearly expenses for a spinal cord injury patient ranges from $380K to $1.2M depending on severity. These expenses do not factor in loss of wages or other expenses.
Getting the Help You Need
Due to the staggering medical and personal assistance costs associated with such catastrophic injuries, SCI patients whose injuries are the result of negligence or wrongdoing of others need to be able to rely on the best professional legal resources available to ensure their optimal care and recovery.
The Law Offices of Dr. Russell W. Sawyer works with SCI clients to ensure that the negligent party who caused the injury is held accountable. Dr. Sawyer’s personal and professional knowledge of spinal cord injuries is focused on fair and adequate compensation for the injured party to cover the costs of current and future care, loss of income, and suffering due to personal hardships. Working with rehab specialists, economists and other professionals, we will evaluate and document needs that may include:
- Nursing care
- In home attendants
- Medical and home equipment needs
- Modifications to your home and vehicle
- Psychological and/or vocational counseling
- Damages for pain and suffering; loss of enjoyment
- A spouse or life partner’s loss of consortium and household services
To learn more about spinal cord injuries, litigation for these sorts of personal injuries, and what your rights are if you have been affected by a spinal cord injury contact the Law Offices of Dr. Russell W. Sawyer for a free consultation at (707) 888-1118.
Article Resources:
National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center
https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/Public/Facts-20and-20Figures-20-20-2021.pdf
American Assoc. Neurological Surgeons
https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Spinal-Cord-Injury