Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Toronto

You probably know that more than 86,000 Canadians are battling severe spinal cord injuries, and about 4,300 people add to this number every year. Each of these people has a unique story. As such, they need access to customized healthcare plans, rehabilitation facilities, and a carefully designed financial plan to help their loved ones get through the challenging and costly treatment period.

At Joshua Goldberg Law, we understand personal injury law deeply. Indeed, we are ready and committed to providing our clients and their loved ones the legal support they need and the means to hold those responsible for the injuries accountable.

We will handle all tasks related to your spinal cord injury case and negotiate the highest possible amount of compensation. This will give you time and space to focus on your recovery while we pursue your compensation.

Your spinal cord comprises a tight bundle of nerves that carry impulses to and from your brain to the rest of your body. This nerve bundle is protected by a ring of bones (the spinal column) or vertebrae that runs from the base of your skull to the tailbone. Your spinal cord fans out into the unique shape of the tail of a horse, hence the scientific name cauda equina.

Any damage to this bundle of nerves is referred to as a spinal cord injury. Depending on the severity of your complete or incomplete spinal cord injuries, the damage may extend beyond the spinal cord itself to blood vessels, bones (vertebrae) and the soft tissues that surround the spine.

Types of Spine Injuries

Here are the common types of spinal cord injuries:

Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

If you suffered damage to the spine, it can be classified based on its completeness. An incomplete spinal cord injury happens when your spine suffers partial damage. This could leave you with some degree of ability to move and sensory function just below the affected area, especially the cervical spine and lower spine.

On the other hand, a complete spinal cord injury happens when the damage is extensive to the point that you have complete loss of motor function or sensory ability below the injured areas. Depending on the specific location of a complete spine injury, you can have any of the two types of paralysis.

Quadriplegia and Paraplegia

Quadriplegia or tetraplegia is the complete paralysis of all four limbs. That means your trunk and all your pelvic organs are affected. This happens when you have suffered severe spinal injuries. Paraplegia is a partial paralysis that happens when part of the entire truck, pelvic region, or legs are affected by the traumatic spinal injury.

Both incomplete and complete spinal cord injuries often have a range of physical, financial, and emotional consequences on the patient and their own families. The patient requires long-term rehabilitative care services. These services may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and more to help in recovery.

Unfortunately, the cost of medical treatment and rehabilitative care for patients with a spinal complete or incomplete cord injury can be quite high. That’s why it’s recommended to pursue a spinal cord injury claim to get financial resources to cover such medical expenses, supplement your current income (if any) and get restitution for the pain and suffering you endured. Our experienced spinal cord injury lawyers can help pursue a spine injury claim successfully.

Causes of a Spinal Cord Injury

Various traumatic incidents can lead to a spinal cord injury. Car accidents and other collisions involving motor vehicles are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries. The sudden impact and force of a motor vehicle accident can cause the vertebrae to fracture, dislocate, or compress, leading to damage to the spinal cord. The severity of the injury can vary, depending on the force of the collision and the area of the spine that is affected.

Slip and fall accidents are another significant cause of spinal cord injuries, especially among older adults. Falls can occur in various settings, such as at home, in the workplace, or in public places. A fall can result in a direct impact on the spine. This can cause injuries such as fractures, dislocations, or compression of the spinal cord.

Assaults, including acts of violence such as gunshots or knife wounds, can also result in a spinal cord injury. These injuries can be particularly serious and cause severe pain due to the direct trauma to the spinal cord. It is crucial to understand the causes of a spinal cord injury to take preventive measures.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

If you have been involved in any incident that may have caused either complete or incomplete spinal cord injuries, seek immediate medical attention. Here’s why.

Your Life and Better Health depend on it

The immediate and delayed impact of a spinal cord injury can be short-term, long-term, and sometimes permanent. Furthermore, the severity and location of the injury significantly influence the recovery period and possibility of full recovery.

Thus, delayed or inadequate medical intervention can exacerbate the spinal cord injury, and this can prolong your recovery and potentially worsen your condition. Immediate medical attention is vital because an experienced medical professional can accurately assess the extent of the injury, implement necessary interventions to stabilize your spine, and initiate appropriate treatment plans.

This approach minimizes the risk of possible complications. After all, medical professionals can also address secondary health issues such as changes in your blood pressure, posterior cord syndrome, urinary tract infections, deep vein thrombosis, pressure ulcers, and impaired breathing. Note that these health issues are likely to affect you if you suffer a spinal cord injury.

The treating professionals can also examine your entire body to identify other injuries, such as head or brain injuries you may have suffered during the accident. A thorough medical assessment and treatment can enhance your quality of life post-injury.

The actions you take following an accident can significantly impact the outcome of your claim and affect the compensation you may receive for your losses. Remember, you need the help of experienced spinal cord injury lawyers to gather medical evidence of your spinal injuries and build a personal injury claim. It’s recommended to consult our skilled personal injury lawyer to avoid mistakes that could derail your claim.

Don’t Give a Recorded Statement

Refuse to issue a statement ‘on the record’ to the insurance company’s lawyer or adjuster. If you issue such a statement and any aspect of it turns out to be incorrect, it could become a cause to question your injury claim.

Thus, it’s recommended to avoid discussing your claim until our spinal cord injury lawyers have completed their investigation and you have reached a considerable medical improvement. Even then, it is in your best interest to let your personal injury lawyer handle all correspondence.

Comprehensive Medical Evidence is Crucial

Seeking immediate medical attention after sustaining spinal cord injuries is crucial, not just for your health but also for the credibility of your injury claim. Immediate medical assessment and treatment after an accident can strengthen your spinal injury claim. This prompt action demonstrates the seriousness of your condition and provides documented evidence of the injury’s severity. Also, it shows your proactive approach to treatment and effort to heal from the injuries to your spinal column.

The insurance company involved will review your medical records to verify the extent of your spinal cord injuries and the steps you have taken to recover. That means your adherence to medical advice, attendance to therapy sessions, and your treatment plan will all be scrutinized. These actions not only contribute to your physical recovery but also strengthen your claim. Thus, following all medical professionals’ recommendations shows you have taken reasonable measures to recover.

Documentation and Evidence

Comprehensive documentation is essential in your spinal cord injury claim. You need to carefully preserve all medical records, proof of bills, and receipts related to your injury treatment and subsequent care. This documentation serves as the foundation of your claim. It enables you to seek compensation for the expenses you incurred.

Beyond economic damages, maintaining a journal that details your daily struggles, pain, and how the injury affects your life can be powerful evidence. Your personal injury lawyers will use this information when calculating the value of your non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Furthermore, our spinal cord injury lawyers use detailed medical information as key evidence to support any legal claim involving spinal cord injuries.

Social Media Could Derail Your SCI Claim

It’s important to be cautious about your social media activity while your claim is pending. Posts, photos, or comments can be misconstrued and potentially used by insurance adjusters to challenge the severity of your injury or your credibility. It’s advisable to limit your social media presence or ensure that your posts do not undermine your claim.

Our skilled and knowledgeable spinal injury lawyer can be an invaluable asset in navigating your injury claim. They will help gather and compile essential evidence, accurately calculate your damages, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. If necessary, our spinal injury lawyers are prepared to represent you in a court trial. We will ensure your case is compellingly presented to secure the compensation you deserve.

Indeed, our personal injury lawyers play a vital role in protecting your right to fair compensation. By helping you get the maximum compensation possible, we can protect your family’s financial stability. That means they can address the high treatment costs associated with long-term recovery. This may include rehabilitative support, home modifications, and additional unforeseen expenses.

Our law firm specializes in spinal cord injury claims, and we are dedicated to advocating for the rights of spinal cord injury victims. Our deep-rooted knowledge in this field, combined with a steadfast commitment to securing justice, positions us uniquely to assist victims in obtaining the compensation they rightfully deserve.

We understand the profound impact of these injuries and are committed to supporting our clients through every step of their legal journey. If you were involved in a serious accident like a car accident, schedule a free consultation. We have an experienced team of personal injury lawyers with a proven track record of providing reliable legal services. These services are available on a contingency fee basis.