What Damages Might You Recover after a Spinal Injury? Greenville Accident Attorney Explains

A serious back injury can have devastating consequences. Victims may suffer mentally, emotionally, financially and physically. A spinal injury can prevent a person from enjoying an active lifestyle, and it can put relationships in jeopardy. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke , car crashes are responsible for 36.5 percent of all spinal cord injuries in the United States.

If you suffered a back injury in a car wreck, contact the Churdar Law Firm. Doug Churdar is an injury lawyer in Greenville who can assess your crash to determine if you may have a legitimate claim. He has achieved successful outcomes in injury cases involving auto accidents, truck crashes, brain trauma and other types of injury.

Call 864-233-0203 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit accident.usattorneys.com/south-carolina/ to learn more about injury lawsuits.

Here are three types of damages that your accident attorney may be able to recover if you suffered a spinal injury due to another person’s negligence:

1. Economic Damages

Economic damages are the financial expenses related to your injury. These are usually straightforward and include medical bills and lost income. The calculations should account for future loss of earnings and ongoing medical care. There are two types of economic damages:

Income Loss

You can claim damages for workdays missed during your recovery. The income that you lost during this time can be substantial. Recovering from a spinal injury can take months or even years. Some victims can never work again.

Health-Care Expenses

A back injury can cost a victim his or her entire lifesavings and more. X-rays alone can cost $1,000. You will likely pay more than $100 for one session of physical therapy, and if you require surgery, expect to fork out more than $8,000.

These costs may be repetitive for people with severe spinal injuries. Some victims require full-time medical assistance.

2. Non-Economic Damages

Back injury victims endure more than financial struggles. Total or even partial disability can cause emotional duress.

According to the South Carolina Legislature , you may be entitled to non-economic damages for a spinal injury. Examples of these damages include:

Loss of Companionship

Families of paralyzed victims have a great deal to overcome. Back injuries affect everyone living with the person, depriving them of a normal, natural relationship with their loved one. It is best for families to file a separate lawsuit for this because the outcome is usually higher.

Pain and Suffering

You may be entitled to damages for pain and suffering if you have a devastating back injury. Calculating this is a complicated process, and the liable party will likely dispute it with vigor. An injury lawyer can represent your interests and litigate your case if it goes to trial.

3. Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are available to victims of “above-average” recklessness. If your injury happened because the at-fault party was participating in a dangerous activity without regard for the safety of others, then you may be entitled to punitive damages.

The purpose of punitive damages is to punish people who engage in dangerous and reckless behavior. Examples include driving through a child’s playground and drunk driving.

If you suffered an injury due to another person’s negligence, contact the Churdar Law Firm. Doug Churdar is an accident attorney in Greenville who can help you avoid mistakes during the claims process. Call 864-233-0203 to schedule a consultation.