Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are typically catastrophic, leaving many victims paralyzed for life.

A traumatic blow to your spinal column can damage vertebrae, ligaments, and disks, resulting in spinal cord damage. If something punctures or cuts your spinal cord, it can also result in tragic damage, such as paralysis.

If you suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you may have the right to bring a claim for damages. These claims are complicated to pursue, which is why we strongly recommend you retain a skilled Albuquerque spinal cord injury attorney.

At Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway, P.C., we have nearly four decades of experience assisting injured victims like you get the compensation they deserve.

We understand the nuances involved in spinal cord injury claims and how vigorously insurance companies fight to keep from paying you what you deserve. Don’t attempt to handle a claim independently. Let FCHC help you fight for the maximum compensation possible.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, vehicle crashes are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States.

Not far behind in second place are falls. The third most common cause of spinal cord injuries is violence, such as gunshot wounds. If someone is shot, the bullet may impact their spinal cord or surrounding structures, causing damage.

When you retain an Albuquerque spinal injury attorney at FCHC, we will review your case and determine who the responsible parties are. In many cases, there may be more than one party responsible for your injuries.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries You Need an Albuquerque Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer For

Spinal cord injuries can take various forms. Each one of these injuries presents its own struggles. You may end up needing one or more surgeries, physical therapy, a regimen of medications, and more. You may suffer a permanent disability which will likely mean you will need lifelong care.

Some examples of devastating spinal injuries include:

• Herniated or bulging disc injuries,
• Spinal fractures,
• Cervical spine injury,
• Thoracic spine injury,
• Lumbar spine injury,
• Sacrum injuries,
• Nerve root injuries,
• Vertebrae injuries, and
• Other spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis.

We understand how quickly medical expenses can add up in spinal injury cases. Your Albuquerque spinal cord injury attorney at FCHC knows how to build the strongest case possible to increase your potential compensation.

Pursuing Compensation in Catastrophic Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Spinal cord injuries are some of the most serious injuries anyone can face. Spinal cord damage can cause death in many instances. If it doesn’t result in death, the injured victim is likely to be permanently paralyzed.

The location of the spinal injury determines the severity and extent of paralysis. Anything below the injury area is what is paralyzed. If the spinal cord damage occurs in your neck, it likely means you’ll be unable to move both arms and legs. Someone who sustains spinal cord damage in their lower back will often still be able to use their arms.

In the most severe paralysis cases, victims cannot speak or even eat independently because they can’t chew and swallow.

Injured victims will require lifelong care and monitoring, which is extremely expensive in many cases. That is why you need a spinal cord injury attorney in Albuquerque who has a proven record of success with these types of cases.

Victims are also at risk for numerous complications that must be considered. Some of the most common ones include loss of bladder and bowel control and respiratory issues. The person may have chronic pain and struggle with worsening depression. It’s not uncommon for spinal cord injuries to cost in the seven figures in just the first year.

Instead of worrying about how to pay for your medical bills, you should be concentrating on your recovery and adapting to your new life. The person who caused your injuries is the one who should be easing the financial burden.

How an Albuquerque Spinal Injury Lawyer Can Assist You

Because defendants will fight liability and potential exposure with all of their resources, you must build the strongest case possible. That begins with hiring a solid attorney to represent you. Many spinal cord damage cases end up in litigation as the defendants would rather roll the dice with the court instead of offering a decent settlement offer.

When you retain a spinal cord injury lawyer in Albuquerque, we will immediately get to work by collecting all available evidence. Preserving evidence is crucial in spinal cord injury cases. We will interview any potential witnesses and ensure we have the latest addresses on file for them should we need to take their deposition or ask them to testify if necessary.

We also handle all communication with the defendant. If you’re represented, the defendant’s insurance company or attorneys cannot speak directly to you. The sooner you contact and hire an attorney, the better.

The defendant’s insurance company will be pushing you to give them a recorded statement in the early stages of your claim. They hope you will reveal something during the statement that they can use against you in a liability argument. The more liability they can place on you, the less they are responsible for paying.

Your attorney also negotiates a settlement demand on your behalf. You likely have no idea how to properly prepare a demand, let alone know what compensation you should attend.

However, when you retain FCHC, we will handle all the challenging legal issues, so you don’t have to. If we cannot reach a favorable settlement, your attorney will file a lawsuit and start the discovery phase of litigation.

Contact an Albuquerque Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Since 1984, we have represented New Mexico victims in and outside the courtroom. The lawyers at FCHC aren’t afraid to stand up to the defendants and take your case to trial if that is what is best for you. We have the skills and resources necessary to protect your rights and fight to maximize the compensation you’re entitled to receive.

Contact our office today to schedule an initial meeting to learn more about what we do. We offer a free consultation, so you have nothing to lose by meeting with us. We will go over the specifics of your case and outline what the next steps will be.