Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Newport News, VA

Some of the most severe injuries you can sustain in an accident are those involving your spinal cord. These wounds can occur as a result of a number of incidents, including motor vehicle crashes, falls, and medical malpractice, just to name a few.

But no matter how it happens, a spinal cord injury can leave you with astronomically high medical bills and the need for long-term treatments. In the most serious cases, you may not be able to work or live your life as you used to, resulting in even further financial losses and emotional strain.

If your spinal cord injuries were the result of another party’s misconduct, our team of attorneys in Newport News can provide you with the assistance you deserve. At Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law, we offer the legal support you need to fight for fair compensation.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury, and What Are the Consequences?

A spinal cord injury refers to damage to any part of the spinal cord, the bundle of nerves and nerve fibers that receives and sends signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Because of how vital these nerves are, any damage to them can result in pain, loss of motion, loss of limb control, and, in the worst cases, paralysis.

Some common spinal cord injury symptoms include:

• Muscle weakness
• Loss of movement
• Spasms
• Loss of bladder or bowel function
• Tingling or numbness

Spinal cord injuries require extensive medical care. You might need to undergo expensive surgeries and could face months or years of rehabilitation. These injuries may also prevent you from working for an extended period, or even force you to change career paths entirely. In addition, you may find yourself unable to enjoy hobbies you once did.

Types of Spinal Cord Injury

There are two main types of spinal cord injury: incomplete and complete. Incomplete injuries only partially damage the spinal cord, allowing some signals from the brain to reach the affected area. A complete injury, on the other hand, causes a full loss of sensation and motor function below the place where the injury occurred.

Both types of injuries can significantly impact a person’s life. Incomplete injuries may allow some movement and sensation, but can still affect mobility, independence, and daily activities. Complete injuries typically require more assistance with everyday tasks and may result in a greater loss of independence and lifestyle changes.

Levels of Spinal Cord Injuries

• Cervical spinal cord injuries: These involve the neck region and can lead to quadriplegia, preventing movement in the arms and legs. They may also affect breathing.
• Thoracic spinal cord injuries: These affect the mid-back and can impact the chest and abdominal muscles. They may also cause weakness or loss of muscle control in the legs.
• Lumbar spinal cord injuries: These occur in the lower back and affect the hips and legs. They can limit walking ability, potentially preventing it for extended periods or entirely.
• Sacral spinal cord injuries: These occur in the pelvic region and impact the legs and buttocks. They can cause loss of bladder and bowel control, sexual dysfunction, and impaired leg movement.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can result from a variety of accidents. Understanding the most common causes helps illustrate how these life-altering injuries occur.

• Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs): This includes accidents involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Motorcycle injuries tend to be especially severe due to the lack of protection, while car crashes can compress, break, or dislocate vertebrae. Twisting, hyperextension, or forceful bending of the spine can also cause nerve damage.
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents: Collisions with vehicles or crashes while riding a bicycle can result in severe spinal injuries, especially when a rider or pedestrian is thrown or lands on their back.
• Slip and fall accidents: Falling can result in back fractures or herniated discs. In older adults, hyperextension of the spine is particularly common and can lead to serious cervical injuries.
• Medical malpractice: Surgical errors, operating on the wrong body part, or nerve damage during a procedure can cause spinal injuries. Misdiagnosis or delayed treatment may also result in complications affecting the spine.

Spinal cord injuries can happen in many ways, but understanding the causes highlights the importance of safety measures and legal options when negligence plays a role.

What to Know About Spinal Cord Injury Claims

If you were hurt because of another party’s negligent or wrongful conduct, you may be entitled to file a claim to request compensation from the responsible party or their insurance company. There are some vital legal elements you must be able to meet, however.

To receive compensation, you must show that someone else was responsible. This requires establishing liability. Most cases rely on proving negligence.

To begin with, you must show that the other party owed you a duty of care that they breached. If you were in a car accident that was the result of a distracted driver, for example, the driver owed you the duty to drive safely and lawfully. By being distracted while driving, they breached that responsibility.

The same applies if you fell in a store and sustained a spinal cord injury. The owner or manager of the location owed you a duty of care to keep the premises as safe as reasonably possible. If they knew or should have known of dangers like wet floors or broken stairs and did nothing to resolve the problem, they breached their responsibility.

To prove your case, you might make use of evidence like photos of the accident scene, an accident report, video footage (if any is available), and witness testimony. You’ll also need to show that the misconduct resulted in you suffering losses for which you can be compensated. That may mean obtaining medical bills and records or pay stubs (if the injury required you to miss work).

Working with an experienced attorney ensures your claim is handled correctly and that your case is as strong as possible.

How a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney​ from Huffman & Huffman Can Help You

With over 150 years of combined legal experience, Huffman & Huffman has been serving the Newport News community for more than fifty years. Our deep local roots give us unique insight into the region, access to trusted medical and accident reconstruction experts, and strong relationships with resources that can support your case.

When you work with us, we take a hands-on approach to your spinal cord injury claim. We thoroughly investigate the accident, gather critical evidence, consult with medical and vocational experts, and document the full impact of your injuries. We handle all communications with insurance companies, accurately calculate your losses, and fight to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.

What Compensation Can You Claim for a Spinal Injury?

Our attorneys can help you pursue compensation for a wide range of damages, such as:

• Medical expenses: Hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, therapy, medications, and ongoing care.
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity: Compensation for time missed from work or decreased ability to earn income in the future.
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
• Home modifications: Costs for adapting your home to your needs, such as ramps, stair lifts, and other accessibility improvements.
• Vehicle modifications: Expenses for accessible vehicles or modifications to allow safe driving and transportation.
• Assistive devices and personal care: Wheelchairs, mobility aids, and in-home care services.
• Property damage: Reimbursement for personal property damaged in the accident.

Reach Out To Huffman & Huffman Today for a Free Consultation

All too often, people hesitate to get legal assistance out of fear of the expenses involved. At Huffman & Huffman, you’ll never be charged upfront fees because we work on contingency. This means we only get paid when we win. Even your consultation will be free. Contact our team to speak with a spine injury lawyer conveniently located in Newport News.