When you are deciding whether to pursue legal action for your spinal cord injury, working closely with an attorney who will explain all of your rights, options and their consequences can help you make the right decision for your situation. Contact our firm today to speak with a lawyer experienced in representing clients in spinal cord injury cases.
Learn More About Spinal Cord Injury Claims
At Kolker & Germeroth, L.L.C., we represent clients in St. Louis and throughout Missouri who have sustained spinal cord injuries as a result of negligence. For more details about how we handle these claims, please visit our Spinal Cord Injuries page.
Below you will find some general information about how the law handles these claims. To get information about your specific case, contact our firm to speak with an experienced attorney.
Thank you for contacting Kolker & Germeroth, L.L.C. Your message has been sent.
Call us now
or use the form below.
Our accomplished trial attorneys help individuals and families throughout Missouri and Southern Illinois who have been affected by a spinal cord injury. Each of our lawyers has more than 15 years of experience and has secured settlements and verdicts in excess of $1 million.
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury as a result of another's negligence, you deserve representation from a personal injury attorney who will aggressively protect your rights. Do not hesitate to contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an attorney.
Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury (SCI) due to another person's negligent acts, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries. The amount of compensation will depend on the individual circumstances of your case and your state's laws. Contact Kolker & Germeroth, LLC in Clayton, Missouri today to find out if you are entitled to damages for your spinal cord injury. An attorney experienced in spinal cord injury cases can determine if a lawsuit is in your best interests.
Proving the Right to Compensation
To recover compensation for your injury, you may be required to show:
- That the SCI occurred due to reckless or negligent disregard for your safety by another
- That you were injured
- That your injury was caused by the accident and is not due to a pre-existing condition or unrelated occurrence
- That you suffered compensable damages
In some states, under the doctrine of comparative negligence, your compensation can be decreased proportionately if it is found that you contributed to your injuries. For example, if the court finds you are 20 percent at fault, then your recovery will be decreased by that percentage. A minority of states follow the restrictive contributory negligence rule. In these states, if the court finds you contributed in any way to the injuries you suffered — even as little as 1 percent — you will be barred recovery altogether.
Available Damages
The damages you may be entitled to collect will vary by your state's laws and may not include all of those listed here. You will want to consult with a local attorney about the compensation available in your jurisdiction for spinal cord injuries.
-
Medical expenses
Costs incurred by you for health care, including ambulance bills, hospital bills, and charges for surgical, medical or chiropractic care -
Future medical expenses
The cost of future medical care for injuries or disabilities, including costs for rehabilitation, bioengineering equipment (wheelchairs, electrical equipment to assist breathing and eating) transportation, attendant care -
Lost income
Payment for wages lost as a result of your injury -
Lost future earning capacity
The sum of money that will compensate you for the earnings you would have made in the future if you had not sustained the injury -
Pain and suffering
The pain, suffering, disfigurement, disability and loss of life's pleasures you have experienced from your spinal cord injury -
Property damage
Repair or replacement of any property that was damaged in the accident
Conclusion
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury, you have the right to seek compensation. Consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your injury. The law imposes a statute of limitations that varies from state to state. You have a limited period in which to pursue a legal claim. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney from Kolker & Germeroth, LLC in Clayton, Missouri, who will review your case with you.
Copyright ©2009 FindLaw, a Thomson Business
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
