A spinal cord injury occurs any time the spinal cord or the nerves surrounding the spinal column become damaged. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), approximately 282,000 Americans currently suffer from trauma due to spinal cord damage. A spinal cord injury will not only cause you immense pain and suffering, but there are also real financial costs, as well. Below, our Miami personal injury lawyer outlines how much a spinal cord injury will cost you, and when you can recover compensation for it.
What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common causes of spinal cord injuries are as follows:
- Auto accidents: Accidents involving motor vehicles are the main cause of spinal cord injuries, making up nearly half of cases involving spinal cord damage each year.
- Falls: Slip and fall accidents make up approximately 31 percent of spinal cord injuries. The older a person is, the more serious injuries they will incur during a slip and fall.
- Violent acts: Acts of violence, namely knife wounds and gunshot wounds, account for over 13 percent of cases involving damage to the spinal cord.
- Sports: Approximately ten percent of spinal cord injuries are caused by high-impact sports.
- Illness: Certain illnesses and conditions, such as inflammation of the spine and arthritis, also commonly cause spinal cord injuries.
How Much Does a Spinal Cord Injury Cost?
It is important to know the main causes of spinal cord injuries because they directly impact how much a spinal cord injury will cost. Depending on the cause of the injury, it may cost the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents: A minimum of $200,000 during the first year of injury and more than $30,000 for every subsequent year.
- Slip and fall accidents: More than $150,000 for the first year and approximately $20,000 for every subsequent year.
- Acts of violence: About $200,000 for the first year and approximately $15,000 for every subsequent year.
- Sporting injuries: Nearly $300,000 for the first year and more than $20,000 for every subsequent year.
When a spinal cord injury results in paralysis, it becomes even more expensive to treat and accommodate. If a person does not have any motion or function below the neck, a condition known as tetraplegia, the costs exceed $1 million for the first year and more than $180,000 for every subsequent year. An injury that results in no feeling below the waist, a condition known as paraplegia, will cost more than $500,000 in the first year and approximately $67,000 for every subsequent year.
Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Miami Can Help After a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are some of the costliest you could suffer during an accident. If you have suffered this serious injury due to another person’s negligence, our Miami personal injury lawyers can help you recover the compensation that can cover the financial cost. At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, our skilled attorneys will determine who is to blame for your injury, and will hold them accountable for paying the full financial compensation you deserve. Call us now at 305-371-2692 or fill out our online form to request a free consultation.