Spinal cord injuries are among the most medically and legally complex cases, and may result in life-long medical complications and disability.
Anyone dealing with a spinal cord injury as a result of a work accident should immediately seek representation from an experienced spinal injury lawyer in New Orleans, Covington, Raceland or the surrounding area.
In the wake of a spinal cord injury, outcome and prognosis is always uncertain. Nobody can tell you how long it will take to recover, what the ultimate outcome will be, or what long-term medical issues or disabilities will result. Medical and rehabilitative costs are astronomical, to say nothing of the cost of long-term care.
None of this is meant to scare victims and families, who likely are already overwhelmed. But the severity of such diagnoses are well-known and understood by workers’ compensation insurers, which will be focused on reducing the cost of a claim from the outset.
Work Accidents & Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is the body’s nerve center and runs from the base of the skull down to the center of the back. It is covered by three layers of membranes and surrounded by vertebrae.
Injury can be caused by bruising, stretching, pressure, severing or laceration. Intervertebral discs also may shatter, puncturing the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries may be either incomplete or complete.
- Incomplete spinal cord injuries: incomplete tetraplegia (quadriplegia) or paraplegia are the most common types of injury. These types of injuries result in a lessening of sensory or motor function below the site of injury, although some recovery of function may occur over time.
- Complete spinal cord injury: These types of injuries result from permanent damage to the spinal cord, and are defined by complete lack of motor and sensory function below the site of injury.
Spinal cord injuries are graded on a scale of A to E, with A indicating a complete lack of motor or sensor functions and E indicating normal function despite apparent injury and/or neurological or muscular deficits.
Spinal Cord Work Injury Claims
The most common causes of spinal cord injuries are motor-vehicle accidents and falls. Because of the astronomical costs of medical care and rehabilitation, and likelihood of permanent disability and loss of quality of life, an experienced work injury law firm in New Orleans must thoroughly investigate these cases to identify and pursue all liable parties.
Under the law, most employers are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance to all employees. These benefits cover costs of a work accident, regardless of fault, and include:
- Lifetime medical benefits for care related to the injury, including rehabilitation and transportation costs.
- Replacement of lost wages.
- Permanent partial or total disability benefits.
In addition to a workers’ compensation claim against an employer, a personal injury claim should be pursued against any liable third party, which may include an at-fault driver, property owner, or other third party, such as an independent or general contractor who contributed to the accident or injury. While employers who provide workers’ compensation to employees are generally exempt from such lawsuits, third-parties can be pursued for additional damages and benefits when it can be proven that their actions or inactions caused or contributed to an accident or injury.
If you have been injured, call day or night for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 985-202-9907 to speak with an experienced spinal injury attorney today.
The spinal cord is the body’s nerve center and runs from the base of the skull down to the center of the back. It is covered by three layers of membranes and surrounded by vertebrae.
