The first thing to understand is something called liability. This just means figuring out who’s responsible for what happened. If someone’s carelessness or wrongdoing led to your injury, they could be legally responsible for the damage.
When you figure out who has the liability, you’ll be able to further decide and explore what your available options are. If you’re not sure where to start, a good first step is to find a local spinal cord injury lawyer who knows how to fight for what you deserve. They’ll help build your case and deal with the legal system, so you don’t have to do it alone.
They will guide you on the legal options for compensation for your spinal cord injury:
Personal Injury Claim
A personal injury claim is one of the most common legal options after a spinal cord injury. When you file a PI claim, you have to tell and prove exactly what happened, who was responsible, and how badly you’ve been affected.
You’re basically fighting for compensation to cover hospital bills, therapy, home modifications like ramps or special bathrooms, medical devices like wheelchairs or braces, and even emotional distress.
If you can’t work anymore, or if your job options have changed because of the injury, that also counts. But the key is showing that your injury would not have happened if the other person had done what they were supposed to do.
Class Action Lawsuit
Sometimes, many people are injured by the same dangerous thing. When that happens, the legal system allows everyone to join together in a class action lawsuit.
This is basically one big case where all the victims stand together against whoever is responsible. It makes things more efficient and gives you strength in numbers.
But even if it’s a group case, your personal injury still matters. You’ll still need to show that you were harmed and how the injury has affected your life. This might include how much money you’ve spent on treatment, whether you need long-term care, and how your ability to work or enjoy life has changed.
Settlement Negotiation
Most spinal cord injury cases don’t go all the way to trial. In many situations, the other side, whether it’s an insurance company, a business, or another person, will try to settle. That means they offer you money to avoid going to court.
A settlement can be a good option, but only if it’s fair. And to know what’s fair, you have to understand just how much your injury is going to cost you, not just today, but in the future. Spinal cord injuries can have long-term effects that last for years or even a lifetime. You may need daily care, regular therapy, or expensive equipment. You might have to change jobs or stop working altogether.
A proper settlement needs to cover all of that, not just the obvious costs but the ones that aren’t always easy to see right away.
Taking the Case to Trial
Sometimes, a settlement just doesn’t work. Maybe the other side refuses to take responsibility. Maybe they offer much less than what your injury is really worth. In those cases, your lawyer can take the case to trial. This is where all the evidence gets presented in front of a judge or jury, and they decide who was at fault and how much compensation you should get.
Going to trial can be stressful, but you won’t have to do it alone. Your lawyer will prepare everything, including the paperwork, the arguments, the witnesses, and the expert opinions. They’ll lay out the full picture of your injury, explain how it happened, and show just how deeply it’s changed your life.
Trials take longer, but if your case is strong, it can lead to a better outcome. And sometimes, just being ready for the trial can push the other side to settle for a better amount before the trial even starts.
