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Spinal cord injury is a serious injury that can change a person's life. When the spinal cord has been through trauma, there is a chance that the spinal cord injury victim may be disabled for the rest of their lives or will have restricted mobility. This is a traumatic time for the victim and their loved ones, so it is essential that everyone involved receives the proper support during these challenging times.
That is why getting a Long Island spinal cord injury lawyer will help every victim and their loved ones receive the compensation they deserve. The attorneys at The Law Office of Carl Maltese are compassionate, knowledgeable, and experienced working with spinal cord injury victims and are ready to help everyone who walks through their door. This will help all spinal cord injury victims receive the monetary compensation that they deserve to live a comfortable life.
The personal injury attorneys at The Law Office of Carl Maltese understand that they cannot change what has happened, but they can help make a better life for those who have gone through such serious trauma. That is why the team will always be transparent with the victim about their case and what they can do to help. If there are any questions about whether the team at The Law Office of Carl Maltese can help or not, people can get in contact for a free consultation.
What Are the Costs of Having Spinal Cord Injuries?
Living with a spinal cord injury is expensive. The statistics show that 43 percent of the people with spinal cord injuries tend to become paraplegic, while 57 percent become a quadriplegic. That means that most people who have spinal cord injuries will need assistance for the rest of their lives.
There are many different parts of a spinal cord injury that need to be paid for:
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Medical treatment
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Assistive care & devices
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Loss of wages
Many victims look at spending millions of dollars to create their new life. This happens whether it is an incomplete spinal cord injury or not because there are many medical treatments and devices the victim will now need to help them complete daily tasks.
How a Long Island Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Can Help
A spinal cord injury can have long-lasting problems and effects on the victim and their family. Most of the time, victims will lose wages and financial hardships after a spinal cord injury. That is why it is vital to call an attorney at The Law Office of Carl Maltese because they will help the victim get the compensation they deserve.
The NSCISC has stated that 36.5 percent of spinal cord injuries have happened because of car accidents. Additionally, 28.5 percent of all spinal cord injuries occur because of a slip and fall, while 14.3 percent are due to violent acts. Spinal cord injuries due to sports only account for 9.2 percent of the statistics. With all of these different scenarios, there is a chance that these injuries have only occurred because of someone else's negligence.
That is why having advice and guidance from the attorneys at The Law Office of Carl Maltese is essential in these circumstances. The New York traffic laws can be confusing, and it's crucial that, when pursuing a claim or lawsuit, every part of the paperwork is completed correctly and efficiently. If the paperwork is not done promptly, the claim could be thrown out.
If the victim has fallen, then the property owner could be held accountable, but it is better to have an attorney look at the case because they will be able to create a strong one that will hold up. Additionally, if the victim has received their spinal injury because of a car accident; in that case, the attorney will prove that the other driver is at-fault with evidence and testimonies.
Either way, it is vital to speak to a professional as soon as possible, so they can get the ball rolling in any claim or lawsuit. Luckily, the team at The Law Office of Carl Maltese offers free consultations, so every victim will know what the case will look like if they decide to go forward.
What Will the Spinal Cord Injury Claim Cover in New York?
At The Law Office of Carl Maltese, the team will work together, so the victim will receive the compensation they deserve. They will speak with the professionals to help prove liability against the at-fault party, holding them accountable for their actions.
Spinal cord injuries are terrible and can affect the victim and their loved ones in many ways, such as medical therapy, lost wages, emotional trauma, rehabilitation expenses, and more.
That is why many spinal injury victims can expect to be compensated for many situations due to their claim:
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Loss of earnings
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Current and future medical bills like surgery, physical therapy, and more
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Assistive care and devices
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Other forms of recovery that are specific to the victim
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You always know that the entire staff truly cares. I am extremely pleased with my settlement and thankful that they helped make an unpleasant experience more than bearable.
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What Causes a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal column is strong, but it can be damaged forever when it is hit in the wrong place. That is why people need to take care of their spines when doing specific activities like jumping on a trampoline or doing a backflip. One bad move and the person could find themselves with a severe spinal cord injury. However, there are other instances where a spinal cord injury is more likely to happen:
Car Accidents
A car accident can be traumatic for everyone involved and can also be the reason for many kinds of injuries. This is because many car accidents happen at high speeds, and there are no safety measures that guarantee that everyone will walk away without injury. Instead, many people get into a car accident, and someone usually gets hurt.
If a spinal cord injury has happened because of a car accident, then the victim can file a spinal cord injury claim against the at-fault party.
Slip & Fall Accidents
Many people do not realize that having a fall can be very dangerous for their spinal column. When someone has a nasty fall, it could result in a severe spinal cord injury. Depending on how the slip and fall occurred, another person could be held responsible for the accident.
An example of this could be if a landlord does not have proper lighting for the stairs on their property and the tenant slips and falls. The landlord will then be held accountable for the spinal cord injury and have a lawsuit against them.
Sports Injuries
Many sports have physical contact, and this contact can result in a spinal cord injury. This is especially true when players are slamming into each other while playing the sport. Also, another sport that has a lot of spinal cord accidents is diving.
Many people have made the mistake of diving in shallow water. When this happens, they might end up hitting the bottom of the pool - which will compress their spinal cord, causing spinal cord injuries.
If this scenario were to happen, then the person liable may be the person who is responsible for taking care of the diver. This could be an instructor, a coach, or even the pool. However, it is better to speak to a personal injury attorney to find out who would be responsible for this situation.
Bicycle Accidents
When a cyclist gets into an accident, they can have severe spinal cord injuries. This is because cyclists have minimal protection when riding at high speeds. Helmets are essential, and they help keep the cyclist's head safe, but that still leaves the neck and the spine vulnerable. Many cyclists take care when they are riding on the road, but many bike accidents happen because of other people's negligence.
If a cyclist does sustain spinal cord injuries, they should speak with a Long Island spinal cord injury lawyer because they may help the victim get the compensation they deserve.
Violence
Violent acts can cause spinal cord injuries. Whether the act is a physical fight or involves a weapon, an injury can be sustained because of it since most violent acts are done on purpose and not by accident. When this happens, it is best to have personal injury attorneys working on the case because they will gather all the relevant information.
Also, the attorneys will be able to explain to the victim what losses they would recover through a civil lawsuit compared to pressing criminal charges.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury is when a person's spinal cord is damaged. The spinal column is made up of vertebrae, and when it is damaged, it can lead to many health complications. There are many nerves in a person's spinal column, and when it gets damaged, they can lose control over certain bodily functions like gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, urinary, or respiratory systems.
Many spinal cord injury victims will have mental health problems after the injury is sustained because their lives are completely changed. Many victims have reported having depression, anxiety, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after having a spinal cord injury.
When treating a spinal cord injury, many studies have shown that victims and their loved ones will be spending between $500,000 to $3,000,000 in their lifetime for treatment. That is why receiving the proper compensation is essential because spinal cord injury treatments are expensive.
Spinal Cord Injury Treatments
There are two treatment options involved with a spinal cord injury:
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Traction, so the backbone is stabilized
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Medication that can reduce any inflation
If the victim needs surgery, then the surgery may involve:
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Removing of the tissue or fluid to lower pressure
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Placing spinal braces
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Removing bone or disc fragments
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Fusing broken vertebrae back together
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Taking out any foreign objects
The National Spine Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) has stated that all spinal cord injuries result in hospital stay and that the typical rehabilitation time is 36 days.
If spinal cord rehabilitation is what is needed, then the victim could be taking part in:
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Lessons on how to operate multiple assistive care devices like wheelchairs or walkers
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Vocational rehabilitation, which is where the victim learns how to resume work with their injury or how to utilize their assistive devices to help them work
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Physical therapy, which will help improve their mobility, muscles, and communication skills
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Occupational therapy for motor skills
Also, victims who are unable to re-establish movement in affected areas after six months may have permanent loss of function. Moreover, the NSCISC has stated that around 30 percent of people who suffer from spinal cord injuries get re-hospitalized several times, and the average hospital stay is 21 days.
What Are the Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?
Any form of spinal cord injury is considered a medical emergency and needs to be treated immediately. The symptoms of a spinal cord injury can vary and may include:
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Loss of feeling
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Pain
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Weakness
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Paralysis
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Sensory changes
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Numbness
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Loss of bladder and bowel control
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Spasticity
If the victim has a spinal cord injury, the symptoms can affect the arms and legs. However, if the damage occurs higher up on the spine, it could impair their breathing. Additionally, if the injury happens around the chest area, the victim could experience blood pressure problems, abnormal sweating, and problems with regulating their body temperature.
Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis
Complete spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis, and that is a difficult situation to adjust to for the family and the victim. A whole new lifestyle needs to be created, and many medical treatments and care may be purchased.
Paraplegia
If the lower spine is injured, then the victim may be experienced paraplegia. When someone has paraplegia, they have lost motor function in their lower limbs. Luckily, the victim will still have upper body function, so they will be able to use a wheelchair.
Typically, during the first year of caring for someone with paraplegia, people will need to spend over $500,000 in New York. After that, many people typically spend $70,000 a year to keep up with all the medical treatments and assistive care the victim may need.
Tetraplegia & Quadriplegia
When both the lower and upper body are paralyzed, this is commonly referred to as tetraplegia or quadriplegia. This form of paralysis can come in two different states, and the limitations may vary, but it all depends on where the spinal cord injuries happened.
Those with tetraplegia in the lower back may experience only a limited upper body function. However, those with tetraplegia in the upper back typically have personal caregivers for the rest of their lives.
In the first year, those with tetraplegia in the lower back tend to spend over $800,000, while those with tetraplegia in the upper back tend to spend $1 million in the first year.
That is why many people seek out help from a law firm because the attorneys will help victims make a spinal cord injury claim. There are a lot of expenses to take care of after a spinal cord injury accident, so it is only fitting that the victim can receive the compensation they deserve for their hardships.
How Are Spinal Cord Injuries Diagnosed?
Sometimes, it can be challenging to identify a spinal cord injury. That is why it is essential that victims who are experiencing the following symptoms go and see a medical professional:
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Injuries from falls
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Pelvic fractures
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Penetrating injuries near the spine
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Head injuries
In case the victim of an accident has experienced any of these situations, then it is crucial that they go and speak to a medical professional right away because they might have a spinal cord injury. The best thing to do is call 911 and have an ambulance sent out to the victim right away. First responders will immobilize the victim, so they will not cause any more damage to their possible spinal cord injury.
Sometimes, it can be challenging to identify a spinal cord injury. That is why it is essential that victims who are experiencing the following symptoms go and see a medical professional:
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X-Rays
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MRI
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CAT Scans
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Electromyography (EMG)
Also, it is essential to remember that the outcome of a spinal cord injury can worsen over time. That is why it is better that it is checked out right away when a spinal cord injury occurs because then, doctors have a better chance of helping the victim.
The Team That Will Help Spinal Injury Victims
The team at The Law Office of Carl Maltese comprises attorneys who are compassionate and knowledgeable of spinal cord injuries. Additionally, they will work closely with other professionals to help build a solid case for every client, making them more likely to win their claim or lawsuit.
Medical Professionals
Medical professionals help the team prove the extent of the victim's injuries. All medical reports must be given to the team at The Law Office of Carl Maltese because they can use them to strengthen the case and better understand what the client will be going through.
Financial Professionals
Finances will take a hit after a spinal cord injury, so it is essential that financial professionals are spoken to. The team at The Law Office of Carl Maltese will speak with experts that can calculate past, present, and future wages, benefits, pay rises, household values, and other benefits that the client may have. All of this information combined will give the team at The Law Office of Carl Maltese the knowledge they need to build the client's case. This will play an essential role in the claim or lawsuit because it will help the client receive the proper monetary compensation.
Life Care Professionals
By speaking with life care professionals, the team at The Law Office of Carl Maltese will have a better understanding of what the client will need to complete their daily routine. Also, they will learn more about physical therapy, prescription medication, rehabilitation, and more. This is all important because it will affect the client's life and the life of their loved ones. Additionally, this can all come at a hefty fee, so it is essential that The Law Office of Carl Maltese works towards getting the compensation that their client needs.
The Loss of a Loved One
Losing a loved one is extremely difficult. However, when someone has lost a loved one due to someone else's misconduct, there is additional stress on top of an already stressful time. Emotions tend to run high during these times, so it is recommended that the surviving family speaks to a car accident attorney, because they will be able to help them receive the compensation they deserve.
The members at The Law Office of Carl Maltese are compassionate and respectful; they understand how troubling this time is and are here to help those who want justice for their lost loved one.
Speak With the Maltese Team
The team at The Law Office of Carl Maltese is professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, and experienced with working with people with a spinal cord injury. Every victim must have the right team behind them when making a claim or lawsuit because they want it done right the first time. Also, having a team that understands the hardships that the client and their loved ones are going through is essential when building a working relationship.
That is why the team is always transparent with everything in the case. Every client always knows what their attorney is doing because that is the attorney-client relationship that they have built. However, the client must be open and transparent about their circumstances because this will help the team create an accurate and impactful case for the claim or lawsuit.
Victims must call the team at The Law Office of Carl Maltese today for any questions about their services. There is a free consultation for prospective clients to use to ensure that The Law Office of Carl Maltese is right for them. Either way, the team will work hard to recover as much compensation as they can for their clients because they want to help everyone who has been injured.
They understand how life-altering a spinal cord injury is and the suffering that the client and family are going through is difficult. The paperwork that must be completed to create a claim or lawsuit is taxing and confusing for many, so hiring a professional to take care of the situation is the best option. Also, they will work diligently to make sure that the client's voice is heard during their claim or lawsuit because this is their life and the circumstances they are working with.
That is why having the support of a team that cares will help alleviate additional stress during this already turbulent time. Overall, seeking advice and acquiring the help a person needs is the first step to getting the compensation they deserve.
Anyone may call the team at The Law Office of Carl Maltese today and ask for a free consultation or inquire about any other legal services they provide.