Albuquerque Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can stem from a variety of causes, many of which are linked to negligence. Vehicular collisions involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, pedestrians, rideshares, or drunk drivers can exert immense force upon impact, which can crush or sever the spinal cord. High-speed crashes, rear-end collisions, and rollovers are particularly dangerous and can lead to many types of catastrophic injuries, including brain injuries. When another driver's negligence causes these accidents, they become liable for any injuries they cause.

Hazards like wet floors, uneven surfaces, faulty stairs, or unmarked obstacles can result in dangerous falls that may harm the spinal cord. Slip and fall incidents are commonplace in places like stores and restaurants. The impact of these falls can vary, with some leading to only minor injuries while others result in permanent paralysis. New Mexico’s premises liability laws require property owners to maintain safe premises, and they could be liable for any injuries resulting from their failure to address safety issues they knew or reasonably should have known about. 

Defective products can also cause spinal cord injuries.  These injuries can occur when products fail to function as intended, causing harm or accidents that impact the spine. Common examples include faulty machinery, unsafe work equipment, or defective automotive parts like airbags or seatbelts that fail to engage properly during a crash. When it can be shown that a product was flawed in design, manufacturing, or labeling – which rendered it dangerous and consequently caused harm – the victim can pursue legal action under product liability law. 

Are you not sure if you have a right to compensation after suffering a spinal cord injury? Our Albuquerque spinal cord injury attorney understands the intricacies of the New Mexico laws surrounding these cases and can advise whether you have a strong claim.

Long-Term Rehabilitation and Care After a Spinal Cord Injury

Recovering from a spinal cord injury is often a prolonged and complex process, with both physical and emotional hurdles. Many individuals face the challenge of regaining their independence and adjusting to a drastically changed lifestyle, often requiring extensive rehabilitation. Depending on the injury’s severity, recovery plans may include a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, all crucial for improving functionality and learning how to manage daily activities that may now be impaired.

In addition to rehabilitation, individuals with SCI may require significant home adaptations, assistive devices, and medical equipment to enhance their safety and quality of life. These long-term care needs often result in substantial costs. Along with ongoing medical treatments, patients may need personal care aides, transportation assistance, and home modifications to ensure accessibility. Our team is dedicated to pursuing compensation that will cover your immediate and long-term needs, ensuring that you receive the financial support required for rehabilitation and adapting to your new lifestyle.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are primarily classified based on their location and the degree of impairment caused. The location of the injury is significant because it determines which parts of the body might be affected. 

The spinal cord is divided into cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions. Cervical injuries, which occur in the neck region, are often the most severe because they can affect both the upper and lower extremities and may lead to quadriplegia, where all four limbs are paralyzed. Thoracic injuries, found in the mid-back, can result in paraplegia, impacting the legs and possibly the torso but sparing the arms. Lumbar and sacral injuries, while often less severe, can still cause significant loss of function and sensation in the lower body.

Among the most severe forms of spinal cord injuries are complete injuries. In a complete injury, there is a total loss of sensation and motor function below the injury site. The absolute disruption of nerve communication between the brain and body parts below the injury level characterizes these cases. Unfortunately, individuals with complete spinal cord injuries have a lower likelihood of regaining movement or sensation. In contrast, incomplete injuries present partial function below the injury site. The extent of recovery in such cases is more variable and depends substantially on the individual and the specific characteristics of the injury.

Spinal cord injuries can also lead to serious secondary complications. High-level cervical injuries, particularly those that affect C1 to C4 vertebrae, can impair vital functions like breathing, necessitating the use of mechanical ventilators. These injuries also increase the risk of other health issues, including chronic pain, spasticity, and pressure sores. Long-term management of these complications requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach involving medical professionals, rehabilitation therapists, and, when necessary, psychological support to improve the quality of life for those affected.

At Law Office of Nathan Cobb, we are prepared to represent individuals who have suffered severe spinal cord injuries that have dramatically impacted their quality of life, affected their ability to work, and led to overwhelming medical bills. The unfortunate reality is that many spinal cord injury victims meet these criteria. In your free consultation, we can review the details of your case, assess liability, and walk you through your legal options, including how we can help. 

Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries in New Mexico

Getting every dollar that you deserve requires thoroughly evaluating all aspects of your damages. Our team can calculate the true scope of your losses after a spinal cord injury by carefully assessing both your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are more straightforward, as they encompass quantifiable financial losses. Non-economic damages are more subjective and pertain to the intangible effects of an injury. 

Once we’ve established your damages – which may require working with financial and medical experts – we’ll present our findings to the insurance companies during negotiations. If they refuse to settle for anything less than what your injury warrants, we’ll go to court to fight for a fair outcome. 

Our Albuquerque spinal cord injury lawyer is prepared to seek maximum compensation for all losses, including:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life

If you’re unsure about your rights or the next steps after a spinal cord injury, reach out to our Albuquerque spinal cord injury attorney for guidance. We’re here to help you navigate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today!