Harrisonburg Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Spinal cord injuries are among the most severe injuries that accident victims can suffer. They may have life-altering consequences, including paralysis, loss of mobility, inability to work, and medical costs that can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars or more over a lifetime.

It’s certainly possible to live a productive life after a serious spinal cord injury. But individuals living with spinal cord injuries might have to adapt to a new lifestyle and have assistance with certain daily tasks.

If you or your loved one has sustained a spinal cord injury in Harrisonburg due to someone else’s negligence, you may have a right to seek significant compensation. While no amount of money can change the outcome of the accident, fair compensation can help you receive the treatment you need, be financially stable, and move forward with your life.

To discuss your legal options with a Harrisonburg spinal cord injury attorney, call Kendall Law Firm at (866) 590-9773 or contact us online for a free initial consultation. Attorney David Kendall served as a military attorney in the U.S. Marine Corps and has been in private practice for more than 30 years. As a former Marine, he understands the value of hard work to accomplish a mission and applies that work ethic to serve his personal injury clients. He takes pride in being friendly and approachable when people contact him for help.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

The spinal cord is a rope-like bundle of nerve tissue that extends the length of the back through a canal in the vertebrae. The brain, the spinal cord, and the network of nerves radiating from the spinal cord make up the nervous system, which controls movement and sensation.

An acute spinal cord injury is an injury that bruises, partly tears, or severs the spinal cord. Nerve tissue in the spinal cord does not repair itself after injuries. As a result, spinal cord injuries (SCI) can have irreversible effects.

An incomplete spinal cord injury is an injury that results in the partial loss of feeling and/or motor function below the location of the injury.

A complete SCI is a more severe injury that results in the total loss of sensation and movement below the injury site. The higher an injury is on the spinal cord, the more widespread the loss of function. Spinal cord injuries typically result in loss of function in the legs and lower body (paraplegia) or loss of function in both the arms and legs (quadriplegia).

Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms

Depending on the location of the spinal cord injury, patients may experience one or several of the following symptoms:

• Loss of motor function
• Loss of sensation or altered sensation
• Loss of the ability to feel heat or cold
• Spasms or exaggerated reflexes
• Altered sexual function, sensitivity, or fertility
• Pain or stinging from nerve damage
• Difficulty clearing secretions from the lungs

A serious spinal cord injury is a medical emergency. If you notice any of the following symptoms after a back injury, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Severe back pain
• Intense pressure in the neck, head, or back
• An unnaturally positioned or twisted neck or back
• Any weakness, paralysis, or loss of coordination
• Numbness or tingling in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Difficulty balancing or walking
• Difficulty breathing or coughing

Who Is Liable in a Spinal Cord Injury Claim?

If you or someone close to you sustained a spinal cord injury due to another party’s negligence, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and related losses under Virginia law. Any party whose negligence contributed to the injury could potentially be financially liable including:

• Negligent drivers who cause a car accident
• Businesses and property owners that fail to keep their premises safe or secure
• Owners of dangerous dogs who did not keep their pets restrained or confined
• Nursing home staff who engage in or allowed the abuse or neglect of residents
• Manufacturers of defective products that cause preventable injuries to users

Compensation Available in Spinal Cord Injury Claims

You may have questions about how much a spinal cord injury claim is worth. Every case is unique, so the range of available compensation can vary significantly based on factors, such as:

• The extent and severity of the injury – The extent and severity of the SCI directly affect the cost of medical care. A back injury lawyer can help you demand fair compensation for the medical expenses you have already incurred and the expenses you’ll likely face in the future.
• The way the injury impacts your life – If the spinal cord injury prevents you from returning to work, you may claim compensation for lost income and projected losses in your lifetime earning capacity.
• How patient you’re willing to be – Insurance representatives may give the impression that a lowball offer is truly the best they can do until an experienced attorney evaluates it. Playing the waiting game for compensation can be challenging when you’re out of work and facing a pile of medical bills. But being patient and trusting the process is often the best way to ensure your attorney has the time to demand what you deserve.
• Whether you contributed to the injury in any way – Under Virginia law, you are barred from seeking compensation in a personal injury lawsuit if you are even one percent at fault for your injuries. An attorney can help you identify evidence of the other party’s liability and protect you against contentions that you bear responsibility for the injury.

The claims process starts with a thorough investigation of how the spinal cord injury occurred and a determination of who is financially liable for the injury. Attorney David Kendall and the team at Kendall Law Firm are committed to keeping you well-informed throughout the claims process.

How Long Do You Have to File an Injury Lawsuit in Virginia?

If you wish to file a personal injury lawsuit after a Harrisonburg spinal cord injury, you have two years to do so per Virginia’s statute of limitations. If you file after the two-year deadline has passed, you risk having your case dismissed by the court. It’s best to work with an attorney who can keep your case on track.

Call Our Harrisonburg Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

At Kendall Law Firm, we are committed to helping those who have been injured by the negligence of others seek full and fair compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury and you need guidance from a spinal cord injury lawyer in Harrisonburg, contact David Kendall right away. Our legal team has helped many Virginians recover the compensation they needed to move forward with their lives. We are ready to put our experience and skills to work for you. Call us today or fill out our online contact form to get started with your free initial case review.