If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in Orlando, Florida, you may be entitled to compensation. The consequences of a spinal cord injury are life-altering, affecting your independence, health, and ability to work.
If someone else’s wrongdoing or negligence was to blame, our law firm is here to hold them accountable.
Contact Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law today at (407) 801-3000 to schedule a free consultation with an Orlando spinal cord injury lawyer.
Why Choose Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law to Help After a Spinal Cord Injury in Orlando, FL?
When a spinal cord injury in Orlando, FL, derails the trajectory of your life, you deserve a tireless advocate who will fight for your future. Founded over two decades ago, Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law is fully committed to fighting for maximum compensation for the countless ways your life has been changed.
With more than 100 years of combined legal experience, we have recovered over $89 million in life-changing verdicts and settlements for accident victims. We’ve built a reputation for getting real results when it matters most.
When your future is on the line, we will be there to provide compassionate support paired with aggressive representation. Call us today for a free initial consultation with an Orlando personal injury lawyer to tell your story and get the help you need.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury happens when there is damage to the spinal cord or nerves at the end that blocks signals between the brain and the body. Damage to the spinal cord affects movement, sensation, and function below the injury site.
The higher the injury on the spinal cord, the more of the body is affected. At the C1 and C2 level, a spinal cord injury affects breathing, blood pressure, and sweating. These injuries are the most serious and usually require ventilation.
Spinal cord injuries are catastrophic, permanently altering virtually every aspect of your life.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are classified by how much feeling and movement you lose. Doctors use the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) to grade these injuries from A to E.
An “AIS A” grade means a complete injury: no nerve signals pass below the injury. That means no sensation or movement below the site of injury. Grades B through D mean incomplete injuries, where some function and/or sensation remains.
There are two common types of paralysis caused by a spinal cord injury.
Paraplegia
Paraplegia affects the legs and lower body. Paraplegia results from thoracic or lumbar spinal cord damage. At the T1 to T6 level, the chest and abdomen are affected. The lower the injury, the more likely the injury is to be incomplete with some feeling or function remaining.
Tetraplegia
Tetraplegia (quadriplegia) affects all four limbs and the torso. Tetraplegia is caused by cervical spinal cord damage. C1 to C4 level injuries are known as “high tetraplegia,” and C5 to C8 level injuries are known as “low tetraplegia.”
What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries in Orlando, Florida?
Spinal cord injuries in Orlando happen for many reasons, but some causes are more common than others. These injuries can affect anyone, no matter their age or background, although 79% of spinal cord injuries are in men.
According to the NSCISC, the top causes include:
- Car accidents and motorcycle accidents (37.5%): These are the top cause of spinal cord injuries for people under 45.
- Falls (31.7%): A fall from a ladder or roof or even a slip and fall can cause a spinal cord injuries. Older adults are most at risk. Falls are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries after age 45 and in workplace accidents.
- Violence (15.4%): Gunshots, stabbings, and other assaults are a major cause for teens and young adults.
- Sports (8.0%): Diving is especially dangerous, but other high-impact sports may also cause spinal cord damage.
- Medical and surgical (3.7%): Some spinal cord injuries result from surgeries, infections, or conditions like tumors.
These accidents often happen in a split second, but the impact can last a lifetime.
What Damages Are Available to Spinal Cord Injury Victims in Florida?
If someone else caused your injury, you are entitled to hold them legally responsible for the losses you have suffered. Money can’t restore your life to what it was before. However, it can give you the financial stability and medical care you need while preserving your quality of life.
You can pursue two main types of damages: economic damages for your financial losses and non-economic damages for your personal losses.
Common types of damages in a spinal cord injury case include:
- Current medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Out-of-pocket costs, including assistive devices, modifications to your home, and support services
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Changes to your lifestyle, independence, and quality of life
The average cost of paraplegia or tetraplegia ranges from $567,000 to $1.16 million in the first year alone. That only includes healthcare and living costs.
At Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law, we are prepared to gather the evidence needed to prove the full extent of your damages. We will advocate for you and negotiate for the full amount you deserve.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Orlando Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Have you or someone you love suffered a spinal cord injury in Orlando, Florida? You may be entitled to compensation, and we are here to help you fight for your future.
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law has over 100 years of combined experience. We’re proud to serve the Orlando community with trusted legal guidance and personal attention.
Call our firm to schedule a free case evaluation with an Orlando spinal cord injury attorney. Let us fight for the money you deserve to rebuild your life.
