Emporia, VA Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

The spinal cord is a central nervous system component that relays sensations to the brain and allows the brain to control internal organs and parts of the body.  Like the brain, the spinal column cannot rejuvenate the way other tissues can; thus, when damaged, the essential bodily functions and movement that it controls can be lost forever.  Consequently, a spinal cord injury (“SCI”) is typically a catastrophic event that has lifelong or long-term ramifications.

While it is possible for an SCI victim to fully recover (less than 1% of people experience complete neurological recovery by the time of hospital discharge), the majority are left with permanent disabilities ranging from a lack of sensation to complete paralysis.  As such, these types of injuries can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating for those injured and their families.

Virginia SCI Victims May Be Entitled To Seek Significant Compensation.

When an SCI is caused by another person’s or company’s negligence, injury victims are entitled to seek monetary compensation by filing a personal injury claim.  Experienced Emporia spinal cord injury attorney Mark Hurt has over two decades of experience helping victims successfully navigate the legal process to obtain maximum compensation for their losses.

If you or a loved one suffered a spine or backinjury, we invite you to call The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt to schedule a free consultation.  We represent SCI victims on contingency, meaning we only collect a fee if we recover compensation through a settlement or jury award, and we advance litigation expenses while a case is ongoing.

How Many People Are Living With Spinal Cord Injuries?

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (“NSCISC”) estimates that 252,000 to 373,000 Americans live with a spine injury, and this figure is growing by approximately 17,000 new cases annually.  The average age of injury onset has progressively increased from 29 years of age during the 1970s to 43 years presently, with around 78% of all new cases affecting males.

What Is The Difference Between Complete SCI and Incomplete SCI?

In complete spinal cord injuries, the cord is fully severed, resulting in a loss of function below the injury site. In comparison, incomplete SCIs occur when the cord is injured or compressed, but the brain can still send signals below the location of the injury, allowing for some movement and function.

Most SCI victims experience incomplete tetraplegia; however, over 32% suffer some extent of complete paralysis.  The following is a breakdown of the neurological impairments within the SCI community since 2015:

• Incomplete Tetraplegia (47.4%)
• Incomplete Paraplegia (19.7%)
• Complete Paraplegia (19.9%)
• Complete Tetraplegia (12.4%)
• Normal (0.6%)

What Are The Lifetime Costs to Treat A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)?

The average yearly expenses and lifetime care costs attributable to SCI vary significantly based on education, neurological impairment, and pre-injury work status.  The following are estimated costs from the NSCISC (not including indirect costs such as losses in wages, benefits, or productivity):

How Are Spinal Injuries Commonly Caused?

Almost any accident can cause spinal cord injuries if a victim suffers trauma in the wrong area. However, there are a few common causes that frequently result in SCI.  These include:

• Car, Truck and SUV Accidents (38.6%)
• Falls (32.2%)
• Violence (14%)
• Sports, especially high-impact sports, such as football (7.8%)
• Medical Malpractice and Surgical Errors (4.2%)
• Other (3.2%)

Regardless of the type of accident, if another person or company’s negligence causes an SCI, they should be held accountable. As an Emporia spinal cord injury lawyer with over two decades of experience, Mark Hurt can conduct a thorough investigation, identify all potentially liable parties, and tenaciously seek the maximum damages possible for your losses.

Can I Still Work After Suffering A Spinal Cord Injury?                  

Unfortunately, many SCI victims cannot return to their pre-injury employment, compromising the financial stability of their families.  For example, over 57% of people with SCIs were employed at the time of their accidents, but only 11.7% were able to return to work within a year.

Living with a spinal cord injury can be daunting, as the income loss combined with mounting medical bills can seem overwhelming.  However, these tremendous costs can be offset by a civil claim for full and fair damages.  At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we help individuals pursue compensation for all potentially recoverable damages, including (but not limited to):

• ER Visits
• Medical Bills
• Rehabilitation
• Prescriptions
• Long-term Care
• Home Health Care
• Lost Income
• Pain and Suffering
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life
• Loss of Consortium

Emporia injury lawyer Mark Hurt also represents the families of wrongful death victims.  In severe spinal cord injury cases, a loved one may not pass for many years after an injury.  As such, it may be possible to obtain compensation for a wrongful death after a significant amount of time has passed so long as the SCI was the direct cause of death.

Schedule A Free Consultation With Emporia SCI Attorney Mark Hurt – No Fee Unless Compensation Is Recovered.

If you or a loved one suffered a spine injury in Virginia, we understand the challenges you may face.  As an experienced Emporia spinal cord injury litigator, Mark Hurt has a track record of helping severely injured victims and their families obtain fair compensation so they can focus on living a quality life.

Please call The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt today to schedule a free consultation to learn about your legal options for seeking maximum compensation from all liable parties, including drivers, employers, companies, property owners, the government, and others.