Emotionally and physically devastating, spinal cord injuries can leave you needing rehabilitation, care, and financial resources to cover the costs. You need an Austin spinal cord injury attorney as your unwavering advocate.
At Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC, we understand the profound impact such injuries can have on one’s life and the lives of their loved ones. With over 20 years of dedicated service in Texas, our mission is to stand by your side, providing not only legal guidance but also the compassionate support you need during this challenging time. We’re here to inform, represent, and care for you at every juncture of your case.
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Why Choose Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC as Your Austin Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Our promise at Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC is not merely about offering legal counsel, it’s about genuinely understanding the breadth and depth of your circumstances.
We don’t just handle cases, we build relationships. It’s about you having the peace of mind that we will explore every possible legal avenue on your behalf. We work to take the legal burdens off your shoulders, so you can focus on your recovery and on rebuilding your life after a serious spinal cord injury.
Success is more than just winning cases – it’s about making a lasting impact on our clients’ lives. Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC’s dedication to securing rightful compensation and benefits for clients is evident in our consistent successes. Our team of Austin personal injury lawyers doesn’t just possess extensive legal acumen; we’re also fiercely devoted to the well-being of our clients.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries in Austin
When adversity strikes, knowledge is power. One of the cornerstones of our approach is to ensure our clients are well-informed, fostering a sense of empowerment even in challenging times. Spinal cord injuries, while common in the realm of personal injury, are complex and multifaceted.
The spinal cord, an extension of the brain, is a bundle of nerves running down the middle of the back. It acts as the communication highway between the brain and the rest of the body, playing a pivotal role in movement, sensation, and bodily functions.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
While the causes can be diverse, the most frequent incidents leading to spinal cord injuries include:
Spinal cord injuries can vary significantly in severity. Depending on where the injury occurs and its severity, effects can range from numbness to full paralysis, potentially leading to conditions such as paraplegia or quadriplegia.
These injuries are generally classified as either complete or incomplete injuries.
Complete injuries: Where there’s a total loss of function below the level of injury. Given their severe nature, complete injuries often carry a higher compensation value. This is because they usually entail significant medical expenses, long-term care, extensive therapy, and substantial income loss, if not a complete loss of earning capacity.
Incomplete injuries: Some function remains below the primary level of injury. The compensation for incomplete injuries depends on the extent of impairment. While they might have a lower value than complete injuries, they can still result in substantial recoveries, especially if they significantly affect one’s quality of life and ability to work.
Other Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Paraplegia
This is a result of injuries to the thoracic region of the spine, leading to paralysis of the legs and lower body. Paraplegia can drastically affect an individual’s mobility and daily life. Compensation often reflects the costs of wheelchairs, home modifications, and other assistive devices, in addition to ongoing medical care and therapy.
Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia)
Caused by injuries to the cervical spine, it results in paralysis of both arms and legs, sometimes including the torso. Quadriplegia involves extensive care needs and poses considerable challenges for the injured individual and their caregivers. Given its profound impact on one’s life and substantial ongoing expenses, legal recoveries for these injuries are often sizable.
Whiplash and Other Strains
Often seen in car accidents, these are milder injuries affecting the neck and upper back. They might not cause paralysis but can still result in pain and limited mobility. While the recoveries for strains might be smaller compared to more severe spinal injuries, they can still be significant, especially if they involve chronic pain or require prolonged therapy.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Despite the devastating initial impact, advancements in medical care and rehabilitation mean many individuals can lead fulfilling lives post-injury. Therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and adaptive technologies play crucial roles in this journey.
When pursuing any of these recovery options, your legal considerations and rights are of the utmost importance. Our Austin spinal cord injury attorneys will help you recover the money you need to handle whatever your recovery and rehabilitation entails.
While grappling with the complexities of medical treatment following a serious injury, take comfort in knowing your rights. Moreover, knowledge is power when the injury results from another’s negligence or an unforeseen workplace incident.
Your attorney can explain the full scope of damages and rights to which you’re entitled, including:
Compensation for Medical Expenses
The immediate and long-term medical care for spinal cord injuries can reach millions of dollars. You may seek compensation for hospital bills, surgeries, medications, assistive devices, and ongoing therapies.
As you adapt to a new way of life, you may require home modifications, specialized equipment, or prolonged rehabilitation. You may seek compensation to cover these essential adjustments to your living and working environment.
Loss of Income and Earnings
A spinal cord injury can drastically affect your ability to earn, both in the immediate aftermath and in the future. You may seek compensation for the income you’ve lost and the potential future earnings that are now beyond reach.
Pain and Suffering
Beyond the tangible financial burdens, the emotional and psychological toll of such injuries is undeniable. The law recognizes this, allowing victims to claim compensation for the pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life they endure.
Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC believes in standing firmly by your side during these trying times. Ensuring you get a fair settlement is our paramount concern. While compensation can’t undo the trauma, it can alleviate some burdens, allowing you to focus on healing and rebuilding.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injuries
Immediately following a spinal cord injury, your focus naturally rests on medical care and recovery. However, seek legal counsel shortly after the event.
An early consultation not only ensures your rights remain safeguarded but also allows for the timely collection of crucial evidence and eyewitness testimonies. The sooner you involve an attorney, the better positioned you are to build a robust case and claim the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Yes, even if you believe you might have had some role in the accident, you may recover compensation.
Many jurisdictions adopt the concept of comparative negligence. This system allows for an injured party to claim compensation even if they were partly at fault, though the awarded amount may decrease based on their degree of fault. Consult an attorney who can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation and jurisdiction.
The determination of compensation is a nuanced process, taking into account various factors. These factors encompass current medical expenses, projected future medical and rehabilitation costs, lost income, anticipated loss of future earnings, and the physical and emotional distress experienced.
Additionally, considerations around the extent of negligence and liability also play a pivotal role in shaping the final compensation amount. Your attorney will diligently assess all these factors to arrive at a just and fair compensation figure.
Workplace injuries, including spinal cord injuries, bring forth a unique set of considerations. If your injury transpired while on the job, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, which can cover medical bills and partial wage replacement.
Beyond this, if your injury was due to the negligence of a third party (for instance, a contractor or equipment manufacturer), you might have grounds to file a third-party claim for additional compensation. The intricacy of workers’ compensation and personal injury claims underscores the importance of professional legal guidance.
Absolutely. Every state enforces statutory time frames, known as statutes of limitations, within which you must file a personal injury claim, including those for spinal cord injuries. These time frames can differ based on the state and the nature of the claim.
Missing this window can forfeit your right to claim compensation. Hence, act promptly and consult a legal professional to stay within the permissible time limit.
Recognizing the financial burden injuries can impose, many personal injury law firms, Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC included, offer their services on a contingency fee basis.
This structure means you pay no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs for you. Instead, the firm’s fees are derived from a percentage of the settlement or court award you receive.
If, for any reason, you recover no compensation, you owe nothing. This approach makes quality legal representation accessible to everyone, irrespective of their financial standing.
Your Trusted Allies in Austin
At Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC, we believe it’s not just about winning claims, it’s about securing futures. Our record speaks of our unwavering dedication to fighting for and upholding our client’s rights.
The Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC team consists of seasoned attorneys with a shared vision — serving the hardworking individuals of Texas. We are steadfast in our belief that everyone merits top-tier legal advice.
Contact an Austin Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Today
Your journey with Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC goes beyond legal battles. We’re here as your steadfast partners, guiding and supporting you till the end. It’s this ethos that solidifies our position as Texas’s go-to for injured accident victims and their families. Contact us online or call us at (512) 477-7333 and experience the difference of a firm that truly cares.
Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC
1515 S Capital of Texas Hwy #500
Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (512) 477-7333