Los Angeles Central Cord Syndrome Injury Lawyer

Central Cord Syndrome is one of the most devastating injuries an individual can face, particularly because it often represents a life-long disability. While the severity of such injuries can vary, even a mild injury to the central cord can mean a lifetime of rehabilitation, therapy, and pain. For that reason, Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyers in cases involving these kinds of injuries can often recover $1 million or more in damages for their clients.

Damages are Used to Cover Legal Fees

While $1 million seems like a great deal of money, even in relation to the experience of suffering a spinal cord injury, the plaintiff must realize he won’t see all of that money. In fact, there are a number of debts to be paid from that total sum, before the plaintiff will receive his share. A personal injury case involving extensive injuries, such as central cord syndrome, can become quite costly in itself.

As the attorney tells the plaintiff upon accepting the case, he will work on a contingency. While that guarantees the plaintiff won’t have to pay the attorney unless the attorney wins the case, it also means the attorney will be entitled to a percentage of the money awarded in damages. The plaintiff will be made aware of the exact percentage ahead of time, but that can easily be forgotten, during the excitement of winning the case. Aside from attorney’s fees, the $1 million will also be used to pay court fees and expenses. Among the expenses are the costs of interviewing witnesses, paying damage experts to testify, and paying medical experts to testify.

These expenses will have to be paid, whether the plaintiff wins the case or not. For this reason, Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyers are very selective in which cases they take on, choosing those cases with the best chances to win. Similarly, an individual seeking a lawyer to represent him in a central cord syndrome case will want an experienced lawyer with an excellent track record. Both the plaintiff and his potential attorney are looking for the best possible outcome, which means a maximum payout for damages.

Typical Damages in a Spinal Cord Injury Case

There are a number of areas in which a personal injury lawyer will attempt to recover damages for his client. Some of these are:

• Loss of hearing
• Lifecare costs
• Pain and suffering

The loss of earnings, which can be significant, depending on the severity of the injury. Typically, the attorney will bring in a vocational expert, someone who can testify to what the plaintiff might have earned within his lifetime if the accident hadn’t occurred. In cases where the upper portion of the body is still mobile, the individual may still be able to hold down a part-time job, but even that will likely pay less than the plaintiff’s former career.

Lifecare costs are also sought as damages because spinal cord injury patients almost always require some form of home care throughout their lives. This means hiring a nurse and possibly a housekeeper to assist with the individual’s day to day living requirements. A life care planner can testify to the costs involved in this kind of situation and explain exactly what the needs of the patient will be.

Pain and suffering are included in every personal injury case, but, where spinal cord injury is severe, it’s an especially poignant issue. For a central cord syndrome patient, the loss of enjoyment of life is significant. While a damage expert isn’t permitted to testify to this part, expert testimony on hedonic damage is allowed. The expert uses economic studies to quantify the reduced quality of life for the plaintiff and can equal the loss of earnings potential in many cases.

What Is Spinal Cord Compression and How Can It Cause Neurological Issues?

When pressure is placed on the spinal cord, spinal cord compression is the result. The compression can occur anywhere within the spine, from the cervical spine (base of the neck) to the lumbar spine (lower back). Merck Manual explains that various lesions can compress the spinal cord – acute compression from a car accident is a common cause. The condition can have a number of effects, including neurological ones.

A neurological issue refers to any issue, disease, or condition involving the brain, spine, and the nerves that connect them. As it pertains to spinal cord compression, a neurological issue typically results from pressure on the spinal cord (bundle of nerves), which impairs the body’s ability to send messages from the brain to the rest of the body.

The following are some standard neurological symptoms that result from spinal cord compression:

• Paraparesis: Paralysis in the legs and the lower trunk
• Quadriparesis: paralysis in all four limbs, including the trunk
• Hyperreflexia (over-responsive reflexes)
• Loss of bladder or bowel control or function
• Sensory deficits
• Difficulty with hand-eye coordinationv
• Loss of sexual ability
• Numbness in the legs
• Local back pain which radiates outward

Many victims are surprised to experience a complete loss of function, which can often come out of the blue. If you notice any of the above symptoms, go immediately to a doctor.

Living with Neurological Issues from Spinal Cord Compression

After a Los Angeles car accident that results in spinal cord compression, living with the neurological issues that result can prove extremely trying. Indeed, said neurological issues may be disabling or impairing, impeding an individual’s ability to work and earn an income, do the things that they love, or even care for themselves. Spinal cord compression will also require medical intervention, which can feel invasive and be expensive. In managing spinal cord compression and related neurological symptoms, Hopkins Medicine recommends learning as much as you can about the condition and taking an active role in your treatment.

After Testifying

By the time the aforementioned experts have testified, the total damages awarded to the plaintiff may well exceed $1 million. Depending on the circumstances of the case, it’s not unusual for the plaintiff to receive an award of almost $3 million from the jury. While the jury may not always grant the total sum requested by the plaintiff’s lawyer, an experienced attorney will usually be able to get close to the anticipated sum. While receiving a high award of damages can’t undo the injury, it can help the victim live free of financial concerns caused by the injury. Please contact a Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyer today!