Orlando Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers - Paul Knopf Bigger
At Paul Knopf Bigger, we understand how overwhelming life after a spinal cord injury can be. If you were hurt in an accident someone else caused, our compassionate Orlando spinal cord injury attorneys can provide the support you deserve, connect you to the resources you need, and fight tirelessly for financial compensation that will make a difference in your life. Our experience and dedication have won us the trust of our clients and the Florida legal community, and we have successfully litigated cases against some of the world’s largest companies. Call us today or contact us online for a free case review with a spinal cord injury lawyer in Orlando.
What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves and nerve fibers that conveys signals between your brain and the rest of your body. It is situated within the spine, a long column of vertebral bones that runs from the base of your skull to the tip of your tailbone.
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a condition resulting from damage to the spinal cord or the tissues and bones of the spine. These injuries can result in temporary or permanent physical paralysis, affecting sensation, movement, strength, and other bodily activity below the injury site.
There are two types of SCIs:
- Complete spinal cord injury – Indicates a total lack of communication between the brain and the body below the injury site, resulting in an absolute loss of muscle control, feeling, and function
- Incomplete spinal cord injury – Brain signals partially reach the body below the injury site, leaving the individual with some degree of control and sensation
Why You Need an Orlando Spinal Cord Injury Attorney After an Accident
Spinal cord injuries are expensive, running into the seven figures over a lifetime. If another person’s negligence led to your spinal injury, they could owe you compensation for these costs. Unfortunately, securing compensation after a spinal cord injury is rarely hassle-free. Most SCI victims find the legal process to be convoluted and confusing, adding strain to one of the most stressful experiences of their lives. Insurance companies are often a major source of this frustration.
Insurance adjusters have no interest in a claimant’s well-being. Their job is to protect the financial interests of the insurance company by minimizing the victim’s payout. In some instances, insurers may even employ tactics to intimidate or deliberately confuse the claimant into accepting a settlement that is far less than they deserve.
When you work with an experienced Orlando spinal cord injury lawyer from Paul Knopf Bigger, you will have a trusted advocate who knows how to anticipate and overcome such unscrupulous attempts. By enlisting our services, you show the insurance company they need to treat your claim with the respect and seriousness it deserves.
What Makes Spinal Cord Injury Cases So Complex?
Spinal cord injury cases are often more complex than other personal injury claims due to several factors, including:
- Severity of injuries – SCIs frequently result in long-term or permanent disabilities, which may require extensive medical care and lifestyle adjustments.
- Diverse causes – These injuries can stem from various incidents, such as a car accident, fall, sports injury, gunshot wounds, and medical malpractice. Each case comes with unique legal considerations.
- Long-term impact – Accurately predicting and calculating future medical expenses, lost earnings, and ongoing care needs can be challenging due to uncertain prognoses for each person.
- Emotional toll – The psychological impact of spinal injuries on victims and their families often adds another layer of complexity to these cases.
Managing Spinal Cord Injury Costs
The financial burden of an SCI can be devastating. Here are some strategies for managing these costs:
- Consult an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer – An attorney can explore all available insurance to help cover costs after an SCI, including liability insurance from the responsible party, health insurance, and disability insurance. They can also place an accurate value on your personal injury claim, negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company, or file a spinal cord injury lawsuit and take your case to trial if no settlement is reached.
Once your case concludes, other ways to manage ongoing expenses after a spinal cord injury include:
- Investigating government assistance programs – You may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Medicaid.
- Establishing a special needs trust – This can help manage settlement funds without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits.
- Working with a financial planner – They can help you manage your settlement or verdict funds to ensure long-term financial stability.
- Researching charitable organizations – Many nonprofits offer financial assistance or resources for SCI victims.
Maximizing Compensation for Orlando Spinal Cord Injury Victims
To maximize compensation for SCI victims, our experienced spinal cord injury lawyers focus on:
- Identifying all potentially liable parties to explore all avenues for compensation
- Thoroughly documenting all current and future medical expenses related to the spine injury
- Calculating lost wages and diminished earning capacity over the victim’s lifetime
- Assessing costs for necessary home modifications, adaptive equipment, and ongoing care
- Evaluating non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress
- Gathering expert testimony to support the full extent of the victim’s losses
Armed with this information, our legal team can craft a persuasive spinal cord injury claim that accounts for the individual’s past, current, and future needs.
How to Build a Strong Case for Your Orlando Spinal Cord Injury Claim
By taking the following steps, you can build a clear and convincing SCI claim:
- Get prompt medical attention – Seek immediate treatment and follow your doctor’s recommendations. This shows the insurance company you did your part to mitigate the spinal cord damage.
- Gather thorough documentation – Keep detailed records of your medical treatments and expenses, and collect contact information from anyone who witnessed what happened.
- Communicate carefully – Avoid discussing your case on social media or with insurance adjusters without legal representation.
- Take timely action – In most personal injury cases, Florida’s statute of limitations requires you to file legal action within two years of the accident date.
- Consult a skilled spinal cord injury lawyer – Seek advice from a personal injury attorney with extensive experience handling catastrophic injury claims, especially spinal cord injuries.
How Our Orlando Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Can Help
Adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury is daunting, with many uncertainties. However, if someone else’s negligence caused your injury, one thing is clear: They should be held accountable for their recklessness. The spinal cord injury attorneys at Paul Knopf Bigger can help you pursue justice and financial relief for what you’ve endured.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll this journey can take. However, we also know that having the resources to account for medical bills, lost wages, adaptive equipment, physical therapy, and other losses can help secure a brighter future. We can help by:
- Listening to your story
- Collecting evidence to support your spinal cord injury claim
- Calculating the total value of your losses
- Handling communications and settlement negotiations with the insurance company
- Taking your case to court if settlement talks do not result in a fair compensation package
Talk to an Orlando Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer For Free
Paul Knopf Bigger is a respected Florida personal injury law firm serving clients in Orlando, Tampa, Winter Park, and St. Petersburg. Let us handle every aspect of your spinal cord injury claim while you focus on receiving the treatment and care you need. Call us today or contact us online for a free case evaluation.