GAINESVILLE SPINAL CORD INJURY ATTORNEY

If you suffer a spinal cord injury in Florida and your doctor has given you a formal diagnosis and treatment plan, you need to find a Gainesville, FL spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as possible. If you can prove that someone else injured your spinal cord because of a failure to adhere to their legal duty or because of specific actions they took, such as operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you may be able to pursue a legal claim for compensation.

If you have experienced severe damage to your spine, it is likely that your family has also suffered some of the consequences as well. You will need to discuss with your Gainesville, FL spinal cord injury lawyer whether or not your family members can make a claim on your behalf or in conjunction with your own claim. There are many complex issues involved in these cases, but it is up to you to prove:

• that the other party failed to adhere to their legal obligation to keep you safe;
• that you suffered an injury to your spine as a result of the failure; and
• that the severity of your spinal cord injury is enough to warrant compensation.

Research from the Centers for Disease Control indicates that the average cost for treatment of a spinal cord injury could be anywhere between $15,000 and $30,000 every single year. The lifetime costs for a spinal cord injury can be well over $3 million. With so much at stake, you need the support of an attorney who has been down this road before, and someone who will do everything possible to file a legal claim on your behalf. Your spinal cord injury claim may end in settlement conversations outside of court or may advance to the point of a trial. You should work with a Gainesville, FL spinal cord injury lawyer who has helped other victims in motor vehicle collisions, medical malpractice incidents, slip and fall injuries, and other types of personal injury cases. If you are helping a loved one to navigate this situation, you may need to be prepared to take action on their behalf by finding an attorney. 

Finding the right spinal cord injury lawyer in Gainesville is crucial for starting your claim in a timely fashion. You must file a claim under the statute of limitations because if you fail to do so in this timeframe of four years following the date of the accident, you will be unable to recover compensation. It is also to your benefit to consult with an attorney as soon as possible because it may take time to gather evidence, such as your medical records determining lifelong treatment costs of your injuries. 

All of these complex issues should only be handled by an attorney who has represented others in spinal cord injury cases. You have a lot at stake because the appropriate calculation of your lifelong medical and other damage expenses will have significant repercussions on your ability to pay your bills. In cases like this when settlement talks do begin the other side may suggest a low settlement amount to get things started. Looking at this lump sum number, you may be tempted to accept this settlement amount so you can close out this legal matter and move forward with your life. However, if you are not clear on the actual costs of your spinal cord injury and its lifelong impacts on you and your family, you could end up accepting a settlement amount that is far below what you would have been entitled to or what is far below what is representative of your actual needs. When you accept a settlement amount and sign paperwork indicating that, it becomes final and you are left to deal with the consequences of taking a too low amount. 

This is yet another reason why having the right attorney at your side to advocate on your behalf is critical because a lawyer can help you calculate these expenses and understand what a fair settlement offer would be from the outset of your case. If you have further questions about a Gainesville, FL spinal cord injury lawyer, contact Morgan & Morgan today.

Our spinal cord injury lawyers in Gainesville are experienced with the research, resources, and legal strategies that work best for victims in spinal cord injury cases. Don't wait to schedule a call with us. We can help.