A spinal cord injury can affect your ability to walk, work, and live independently. If you injured your back in an accident that wasn’t your fault, a Georgetown catastrophic injury lawyer can help you recover damages.
The Texas Law Dog has been advocating for injury victims since 2018. If you sustained a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, a spinal cord injury lawyer in Georgetown can help you obtain a fair settlement.
The Role of a Georgetown Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
A Georgetown personal injury lawyer can handle every aspect of your personal injury claim so you can focus on your recovery.
Specifically, a lawyer can:
- Investigate the accident: We can gather police reports, medical records, photographs, surveillance footage, witness statements, and other evidence to determine what caused your injury and who is responsible.
- Calculate your losses: We can calculate your damages and help make sure your claim includes all of your losses.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: We can negotiate with the insurance company and attempt to obtain compensation that reflects the full impact of your injury.
- Prepare your case for trial: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we can file a lawsuit and advocate for you in court.
What Types of Damages Can You Recover?
A successful personal injury claim may provide compensation for both economic and noneconomic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses: You can recoup the cost of emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, medical equipment, and other necessary care for your injury.
- Future medical care: You may be entitled to compensation for reasonably anticipated treatment and long-term medical needs.
- Lost wages: You can recover income you missed out on because your injury prevented you from working.
- Loss of earning capacity: You may seek additional compensation if your injury compromises your ability to earn a living in the future.
- Pain and suffering: You can receive damages for the physical pain and the suffering associated with your injury.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: You may seek additional damages if your injury prevents you from participating in activities you previously enjoyed.
- Property damage: You can recover qualifying property losses caused by the accident.
- Punitive damages: Additional damages may be available if the defendant acted with malice or gross negligence.
Georgetown Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit in Texas?
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, the general statute of limitations for a Texas personal injury claim is two years from the date the injury occurred. If you miss this deadline, you will most likely lose the ability to pursue damages.
There are exceptions to the Texas statute of limitations in certain scenarios, such as if your case involves wrongful death or a government entity. That is why it’s important to consult a Georgetown spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as you can.
How Do You Prove Negligence?
To have a chance at winning a personal injury case, you must present evidence showing that another party failed to act with reasonable care and that this failure caused your injury.
For example, if a distracted driver crashes into your vehicle and causes a spinal cord injury, useful types of evidence might include the police report, photographs of the vehicle damage, witness statements, cellphone records, and testimony from accident reconstruction experts or medical professionals.
A spinal cord injury attorney in Georgetown can help collect evidence that proves who is at fault for your injury.
Common Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can produce symptoms ranging from temporary discomfort to permanent disability. Some symptoms may appear immediately, while others may become more apparent over time.
Possible symptoms include:
- Loss of movement or weakness
- Numbness or tingling
- Loss of sensation
- Severe pressure or pain in your back or neck
- Difficulty maintaining balance or coordination
- Problems breathing
- Changes in bladder or bowel control
- Changes in sexual function
- Muscle spasms
- Paralysis
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Georgetown
Spinal cord injuries can result from many different types of accidents. Common causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents can cause severe trauma to the spine and spinal cord.
- Falls: A fall from a height or a slip and fall can cause fractures, dislocations, or other spinal damage.
- Workplace accidents: Certain accidents involving construction equipment or unsafe property conditions may cause catastrophic injuries.
- Premises accidents: Property owners or other responsible parties can be held liable when dangerous conditions contribute to an injury.
- Defective products: A defective vehicle, safety device, or other product can cause or worsen a spinal cord injury.
- Acts of violence: Assaults and other intentional acts of violence can result in significant spinal trauma.
Steps to Take After a Spinal Cord Injury in Georgetown
The actions you take after an accident matter. If you are able to, you should:
- Seek immediate medical care: Visit a doctor to undergo an evaluation and document your condition.
- Report the accident: Notify the appropriate authority, property owner, employer, or other responsible party depending on where the accident occurred.
- Document the scene: If your condition permits, take photographs or videos of the scene where you sustained the injury.
- Gather witness information: Obtain names and contact information for people who witnessed the accident.
- Keep medical records: Maintain records of appointments, treatments, prescriptions, bills, and other injury-related expenses.
- Follow your treatment plan: Failing to follow medical recommendations could give an insurance company grounds to argue that your condition was not as serious as you claimed.
- Avoid discussing fault publicly: Don’t discuss who is at fault for your injury with insurance companies or post about the incident on social media.
- Contact a lawyer: Our lawyers can review the circumstances of your injury, explain your legal options, and help you seek compensation.
Speak to a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Georgetown
It can take months or even years to fully recover from a spinal cord injury. If you suffered one that wasn’t your fault, a Georgetown spinal cord injury attorney from The Texas Law Dog can help you build a strong claim and recover compensation.
Schedule a free case evaluation to get help with your injury claim.
