Spinal cord injuries can be life-altering, leaving victims with physical, emotional, and financial challenges. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal injury due to someone else’s negligence in Broomfield, you need an experienced spinal cord injury attorney to fight for your rights.
Reach out to Goldman & Haydel, a team of skilled injury lawyers in Broomfield securing justice for spinal injury victims. With over 25 years of combined experience, we have successfully secured maximum compensation for numerous clients in Colorado while providing reliable and considerate service throughout their recovery. For this, we have earned top ratings from clients and legal industry bodies like Lawyers of Distinction.
Consult for free with Goldman & Haydel. You won’t owe us any lawyer fees until we win for you. Call us today at (720) 571-0606.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury refers to damage to the spinal cord, the tube of nerves through which the brain and the rest of the body communicate. When this structure is injured, signals between the brain and parts of the body are disrupted, causing paralysis, pain, or loss of control over bodily functions like bladder management.
Depending on the severity, spinal injuries are classified as either complete (loss of all motor and sensory function below the injury site) or incomplete (partial function retained). Rehabilitation is crucial but can be expensive and lengthy.
These injuries can result from trauma such as motor vehicle accidents, falls, or sports injuries.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries vary in type and severity, classified into four main categories: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. Each level of injury affects different parts of the body and has distinct consequences.
- Cervical injuries: These occur in the first seven vertebrae of the neck and are the most severe type of spinal cord damage. A cervical spinal cord injury leads to quadriplegia, resulting in paralysis of all four limbs. The degree of sensation retained depends on the specific vertebrae affected within this region.
- Thoracic injuries: Located in the upper and middle back, which consists of 12 vertebrae, thoracic spinal cord injuries impact muscle control but do not cause quadriplegia. Individuals with this type of injury retain full use of their arms.
- Lumbar injuries: This section consists of five large vertebrae below the thoracic region. Although less severe than cervical or thoracic injuries, lumbar spinal cord damage can still be life-changing. Individuals maintain full upper-body mobility but experience impaired function from the hips down, including loss of bladder and bowel control.
- Sacral injuries: Found at the base of the spine, this region controls the buttocks and thighs. While still serious, sacral injuries allow for significant mobility and bodily control, as the spinal cord above the affected area remains functional.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Many spinal cord injuries are caused by the negligence of a certain party or parties. If your injury is due to someone else’s fault, Colorado law allows you to seek compensation through a personal injury claim.
- Motor vehicle accidents: Collisions involving cars, motorcycles, or trucks often result in severe spinal trauma due to sudden impact.
- Slip and fall accidents: Falls on unsafe premises can lead to fractures or compression of vertebrae.
- Sports injuries: High-impact sports like football or skiing are common contributors.
- Workplace accidents: Construction sites and industrial jobs pose risks for spinal injuries due to falls or heavy machinery accidents.
- Acts of violence: Gunshot wounds or physical assaults can cause permanent damage to the spine.
Other causes:
- Falls from heights, such as ladders or rooftops
- Accidents caused by defective or unsafe railings
- Swimming-related injuries, such as diving into shallow water
- Sports-related impacts, particularly to the head and chest
- Medical negligence or malpractice
- Electrical shocks or accidents
- Diseases and medical conditions
- Birth-related injuries
- Trampoline mishaps
- Pedestrian accidents involving vehicles
Determining the cause of your accident helps establish liability in your personal injury claim. Don’t hesitate to get the help of an experienced spinal injury attorney such as those at Goldman & Haydel.
How Spinal Cord Injuries Impact Victims
The repercussions of spinal injuries extend far beyond physical pain:
- Financial strain: Medical bills for surgeries, rehabilitation, and assistive devices like wheelchairs can accumulate quickly.
- Loss of wages: Many victims cannot return to work due to their disabilities.
- Emotional distress: Coping with paralysis or chronic pain can lead to depression and anxiety.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Permanent damage often robs victims of hobbies and daily activities they once enjoyed.
These challenges highlight why victims need fair compensation to rebuild their lives. With a competent spinal injury lawyer, you can pursue a strong claim to be compensated for your monetary and non-monetary losses.
Compensation You Can Pursue for Spinal Injuries
Victims may be entitled to compensation for:
- Current and future medical bills, including rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages due to inability to work
- Pain and suffering, including physical trauma and emotional distress
- Loss of function or enjoyment of life due to long-term damage.
An experienced lawyer ensures you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Challenges in Spinal Cord Injury Claims
Spinal injury cases often face obstacles like:
- Insurance companies undervaluing claims or denying liability altogether
- Difficulty proving negligence without strong evidence or expert testimony
- Long-term costs that are hard to quantify upfront (for instance, future medical bills).
Our injury attorneys at Goldman & Haydel know how to overcome these challenges. In our decades of experience, we’ve faced many insurance companies and become familiar with their defenses. We develop sharp strategies to counter their tactics, protecting our clients’ rights to fair compensation.
Colorado Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Cases
As you focus on recovery and managing medical expenses, it’s important to be aware of the legal deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Colorado. This deadline, known as the statute of limitations, is crucial. Missing it means permanently losing the right to pursue legal action.
The time limit for filing a claim depends on the cause of the spinal cord injury:
- Motor vehicle accidents: You have three years to file a lawsuit.
- Other incidents (such as slip and fall accidents, premises liability, and product liability cases): You have two years to sue.
Certain factors may impact your filing deadline, so it’s essential to seek legal guidance. Our spinal cord injury attorneys in Broomfield can help determine how much time you have to file your claim.
Building a Strong Personal Injury Case
Most personal injury cases are resolved through settlements rather than going to trial. Settling out of court often has several benefits, such as lower costs, reduced stress, and a quicker resolution. However, in some situations, taking your case to trial may be the better option.
If your case proceeds to trial, consider these key preparation steps:
- Take notes on the most important aspects of your case.
- Gather all original documents and make copies.
- Practice presenting clear and concise arguments to support your claims.
- Arrange for childcare or request time off work as needed.
A successful case requires:
- Evidence proving negligence by another party (for example, reckless driving or unsafe premises)
- Detailed documentation of medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering
- Expert testimony from medical professionals about the extent of your injuries.
Your attorney should handle these complexities while you focus on recovery.
Why You Need a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Broomfield
Navigating a personal injury lawsuit without legal counsel is daunting. At Goldman & Haydel, our skilled attorneys offer:
- Experienced handling of complex cases: Spinal cord injury claims require knowledge of both legal and medical aspects.
- Advocacy against insurance companies: Insurers often try to settle for less than you deserve. Your lawyer fights for fair compensation
- Access to medical experts: Our attorneys collaborate with neurologists and rehabilitation specialists to strengthen your case.
- Personalized representation: Each case is unique, that’s why we at Goldman & Haydel tailor each strategy to achieve the best outcome for a specific case. You’re not just a file number to us. When you work with our firm, you’ll get committed attention to your case.
Choosing the Right Injury Lawyer
When selecting an attorney:
- Look for proven experience handling spinal cord injury cases specifically, not just general personal injury law.
- Ensure they have access to medical experts who understand SCI complexities.
- Check their reputation for honesty and results. Client testimonials matter.
Hiring the right lawyer can significantly affect the outcome of your case.
Get the Legal Help From Goldman & Haydel, Trusted Broomfield Spinal Injury Lawyers
A spinal cord injury can change your life in an instant, but you don’t have to face the challenges alone. At Goldman & Haydel Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, we are committed to fighting for the compensation and justice you deserve. Our experienced Broomfield spinal injury attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries take, and we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Don’t wait, as time is limited to file your claim. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery. Contact us today at (720) 571-0606 for a free, no-obligation consultation and take the first step toward securing your future.
