Experienced Portland Maine Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
Portland Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Find out why we have some of the best Portland Maine spinal cord injury attorneys
Have You or a Loved One Recently Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury? Are You Struggling to Navigate the Legal Process to Get the Compensation You Deserve?
Goldberg & Loren’s Portland, Maine, personal injury lawyers specialize in helping those who have suffered spinal cord injuries. With years of experience and a proven track record of success, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process and fight for your rights.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a spinal cord injury can take on you and your family. That’s why we’re here to help you get the compensation you need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages you may have incurred due to your injury.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and see how we can help you. We’re here to fight for your rights and get you the justice you deserve.
What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that causes temporary or permanent changes in its function. [1]
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 12,000 to 20,000 people experience spinal cord injuries each year in the United States. The most common cause of these severe injuries is auto accidents at 46%. Falls represent 22% of spinal cord injuries, violence 16%, and sports 12%.
Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis or loss of sensation in various parts of the body, as well as impairments of the lungs, bladder, or bowel. Victims may also suffer serious psychological effects from both the trauma from the incident and the effects of the injury. [2]
These injuries can happen at any level in the spinal column and can cause cervical spine injuries (neck injury), thoracic spine injuries, and lumbar and sacral spinal injuries. This type of major injury can result in an injury victim needing long-term care and a lifelong disability.
The physical, mental, and financial stress of a partially or completely severed spinal cord is costly. Goldberg & Loren Law Firm offers you their legal experience as personal injury attorneys to help you recover financial damages, including loss of income, medical bills, and ongoing treatment for these devastating injuries.
Common Type of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most serious and devastating medical injuries that can occur, and they affect thousands of people each year. In Maine, the most common types of spinal cord injuries result in:
Paraplegia
Paraplegia is a condition in which there is a complete or partial loss of sensation and movement in the lower half of the body due to damage to the spinal cord.
The severity of paraplegia varies depending on the location and extent of the damage to the spinal cord.
Some individuals with paraplegia may have limited mobility and be able to walk with the use of braces or a walker, while others may be completely dependent on a wheelchair for mobility.
Quadriplegia
Quadriplegia is a debilitating condition that results from a spinal cord injury and affects all four limbs and the torso. People with quadriplegia may require assistance with daily activities, such as eating, dressing, and personal hygiene. They may also require specialized equipment and modifications to their living environment to increase mobility and independence.
The Impact of a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can have devastating effects on an individual’s life. Victims often experience a loss of sensation, mobility, and strength that can last for years or the rest of their lives.
Depending on the severity of the injury, victims may need lifelong medical care and support from family and friends. Victims may be unable to work and may have to rely on disability benefits or other forms of financial assistance. The lifetime cost of these traumatic injuries can be significant.
Common Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
- Loss of feeling in the arms and/or legs
- Paralysis or partial paralysis in any part of the body resulting in loss of motor function
- Weakness, numbness, and tingling sensations in the affected area
- Mental anguish
- Sexual dysfunction
- Poor bladder control
- Lost bowel control
Table of Contents
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What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
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Common Type of Spinal Cord Injuries
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The Impact of a Spinal Cord Injury
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Common Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
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Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Portland, Maine
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Medical Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries
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Proving Negligence in a Portland Spinal Cord Injury Case
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Compensation for Portland Spinal Cord Injury Victims
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Statute of Limitation for Spinal Cord Injuries in Maine
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Contact Our Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Today
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FAQ's
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Sources
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Portland, Maine
Spinal cord injuries can be caused by a wide range of activities or situations. In Portland and throughout the state, some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries include:
Medical Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries require prompt medical attention and ongoing treatment to lessen the effects of the injury and improve the quality of life of the victim. Common forms of medical treatment include:
- Surgery to repair damaged nerves or tissue
- Physical therapy to help restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion
- Occupational therapy to help relearn tasks and adapt to a new lifestyle
- Assistive technology such as wheelchairs, walkers, or prosthetics
Proving Negligence in a Portland Spinal Cord Injury Case
In order to successfully recover compensation for a spinal column injury, it is necessary to prove negligence on the part of another party.
In Maine, proving negligence requires that the plaintiff establishes four elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
- Duty of Care – The defendant must owe a duty of care to the plaintiff. This means that they must have an obligation to act in a certain way to protect the plaintiff from harm.
- Breach of Duty – The defendant must breach this duty by acting or failing to act in a way that is negligent.
- Causation – This breach must be the cause of the plaintiff’s harm. In other words, it must be proven that the defendant’s negligence directly caused the plaintiff’s injury.
- Damages – The plaintiff must suffer damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or disability.
Compensation for Portland Spinal Cord Injury Victims
The amount of compensation for a spinal cord injury victim in Maine can fluctuate based on multiple factors, such as the severity of the injury, level of disability, and impact on the victim’s quality of life, resulting in varying settlement or verdict amounts. Compensation for spine injury victims may include reimbursement for the following types of damages:
- Medical expenses
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Rehabilitation
- Ongoing care
- Lost wages or earning capacity
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Reduced quality of life
In some cases, accident victims may also be eligible for compensation for property damage, such as in cases of car accidents. The injury settlement amount can vary considerably depending on the particular circumstances of the case.
Statute of Limitation for Spinal Cord Injuries in Maine
In Maine, victims of spinal injuries have a limited amount of time to take legal action against the at-fault party.
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit for a spinal cord injury is two years from the date of the injury. You may be barred from recovering any compensation if you wait too long.
Contact Our Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, contact our experienced Portland spinal cord injury lawyers at Goldberg & Loren today.
Our experienced legal team is dedicated to helping victims of catastrophic injuries seek justice and financial compensation for their losses.
We understand the devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences that can arise from a serious injury, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
FAQ's
The process of a spinal cord injury claim can be complex and time-consuming. In general, the steps for filing a claim include:
- Contact an experienced Maine spinal cord attorney to evaluate your case and advise you of your legal rights.
- Collect evidence related to the accident or incident that caused your injury, such as medical records, photographs, and witness statements.
- File a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Your accident attorney can handle this process on your behalf.
- Gather additional evidence to support your claim, such as medical reports and expert testimony.
- Negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement amount. If no agreement can be reached, you may have to file a lawsuit.
- Attend court proceedings, if necessary.
The average hospital stay is 11 days in acute care after the injury. [3]
The United Spinal Association is an excellent option. They provide information, peer support, support groups, career support, a products and services directory, and more. [4]
Sources:
[1] Spinal cord injury – Wikipedia. (2018, May 16). Spinal Cord Injury – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_cord_injury
[2] CDC | Traumatic Brain Injury | Injury Center. (2015, January 6). CDC | Traumatic Brain Injury | Injury Center. http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/scifacts.html
[3] Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. (2023). MSKTC. Retrieved June 16, 2023, from https://msktc.org/
[4] Landsman, Z., & Quinn, M. (2023, March 23). Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center. United Spinal Resources. https://www.spinalcord.org/
Goldberg & Loren Personal Injury Attorneys
180 Pool St Suite 105,
Biddeford, ME 04005
(207) 977-2838
Have you suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else's negligence? We may be able to help you recover compensation for your injuries.
Have Questions About Your Case? Call Us Today:
