Tacoma Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

Fighting to Secure Fair Compensation for Personal Injury Victims

Suffering an injury due to someone else’s negligence is always a disheartening event. Whether in a motor vehicle collision or bicycle accident, the stress that comes after is always extreme. Unfortunately, negligent acts sometimes have life-altering consequences — such as when spinal cord injuries occur. If you or a loved one have found yourself in such a situation, figuring out how to move forward may seem nearly impossible. Fortunately, you don’t have to do this on your own. A Tacoma spinal cord injury lawyer may be able to help.

At South Sound Law Group, our dedicated team of personal injury attorneys understands the difficulties you’re going through. We’ve helped many injury victims navigate the complicated legal process to secure fair compensation. We know that medical expenses can seem like they’re suffocating you, and this is taking place at a time when you’re likely unable to work. While nothing can reverse time and prevent this from happening, we can fight to ensure that liable parties are held accountable for your spinal cord accident.

When Are Spinal Cord Injury Victims Entitled to Compensation?

What is it that entitles a spinal cord injury victim to compensation? Is it the mere fact that they were involved in an accident? Is it related to whether they suffered an incomplete or complete spinal cord injury — the latter meaning they have no feeling below the trauma? All these factors can affect spinal cord injury cases, but they are not what dictates whether a person can recover compensation. Securing financial recovery depends on proving the elements of liability:

Duty of care: This is a responsibility to avoid acts that could harm others. For instance, motorists have a responsibility to drive safely
Violation of duty: Securing compensation for spinal cord injuries requires showing that someone violated a duty of care. For instance, perhaps a motorist was driving too fast
Harm or loss: Financial compensation is only possible if someone experiences loss. For instance, an auto accident could lead to medical expenses, emotional pain, and loss of mobility
Causation: The plaintiff must show that the liable party’s actions are a direct cause of the losses suffered when a personal injury occurs

If each of these elements can be proven, there’s a good chance that compensation is available via a personal injury case. In most cases, there’s no need to go to court. The insurance company of the at-fault party usually offers a settlement. However, it’s typically advisable to let personal injury lawyers handle negotiations. These professionals will have a better idea of what your injury is worth, and if insurers refuse to properly compensate you, an attorney can represent you during litigation.

Put simply, having Tacoma spinal cord injury attorneys on your side can prove invaluable to your case. Contact South Sound Law Group today. We’ll help you understand your options during a free consultation.

What Are Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?

Any harm that occurs to the spinal cord can affect the entire autonomic nervous system. This can result in complete paralysis, but even incomplete spinal cord injuries can be life-altering. In fact, even damage to the nerve fibers can cause permanent issues. Unfortunately, all these outcomes can stem from a variety of different events. The most common causes of spinal cord injuries are varied, but they all have detrimental outcomes:

Car accidents
Slip and fall
Truck accidents
Sports injuries
Motorcycle accidents
Recreational activity mishaps
Pedestrian accidents
Violent acts
Industrial accidents

While this list may seem extensive, it’s actually far from complete. Any significant trauma can lead to spinal cord damage. Additionally, there are several non-traumatic causes that can harm the spinal column. Regardless of the underlying cause, it’s important for you to understand your rights. If you can prove liability in your case, you may be able to secure a fair settlement or damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit.

A Tacoma spinal cord injury attorney can help you understand your options and how to move forward. Contact us today to discuss your case.

How Can Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys Help?

After suffering a spinal injury, many people wonder whether they need an attorney. This is especially true if the liable party’s insurance company quickly reaches out with a settlement offer. After all, why would you pay an attorney when insurers are already offering what seems like a fair settlement? However, the reality is that insurance adjusters will rarely offer what you truly deserve during the claim process. Their goal is to save money, and in most cases, this is a competing interest to paying what your claim is worth.

Having a personal injury attorney handle settlement negotiations on your behalf provides a variety of benefits. First, they have an idea of what similar claims in the past have been worth. They also work with insurers on a constant basis, so they know all the tricks adjusters will use to pay out lower settlements. Put simply, an insurance company is more likely to offer a fair settlement when you have legal representation — because they know that a dedicated attorney has no issue filing litigation and taking the case to court.

At South Sound Law Group, our trial lawyers work hard to secure appropriate settlements for our clients — but when this isn’t possible, we have no problem filing a personal injury lawsuit.

What Compensation Are You Entitled To?

Securing maximum compensation for spinal cord injuries can mean different things in different cases. In most instances, the insurance company of the legally responsible party will pay a settlement. If you work with an attorney — most of whom offer services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless they win — it’s possible to get a fair settlement. However, personal injury lawsuits will sometimes be necessary to secure appropriate compensation.

When this happens, you may be entitled to the following:

Economic damages: These are awarded for monetary losses such as medical bills, lost wages, installing wheelchair access, property damage, and ongoing medical care
Non-economic damages: These are awarded for non-monetary losses. Such losses include pain and suffering, emotional injuries, loss of enjoyment in life, and other difficulties
Punitive damages: Courts may award additional damages when someone else’s negligence caused an injury due to egregious acts. This is meant to punish the liable party

If you’re a person suffering from serious spinal cord injuries — or the loved one of such a person — it’s important to understand what you’re up against. The legal process is not easily navigated, and in many cases, it takes the help of an experienced attorney to secure the compensation you deserve. No one can guarantee a specific result in your case, but the Tacoma spinal cord injury lawyers at South Sound Law Group will work tirelessly to secure the outcome you deserve. Contact us today for a free case review.

Is There a Deadline for Filing a Personal Injury Claim?

When a person suffers serious spinal cord injuries, they may not feel like doing much. After all, who wants to deal with insurance companies and legal woes when you’re unsure if you’ll ever regain motor function? However, this is not a time to procrastinate. That’s because there are deadlines for filing personal injury cases. Failing to file in a timely manner may forfeit your right to seek compensation, and in such instances, you might end up shouldering the entire financial burden of your injury.

Statutes of limitations vary by jurisdiction. It’s a sad fact, but insurance companies will often try to “run out the clock” in order to make you accept a less-than-fair settlement. And when someone is dealing with severe injuries, it’s not uncommon for these deadlines to sneak up on a person. That’s why you should contact a Tacoma spinal cord injury attorney as soon as possible. These legal professionals can get started on your case right away.

Even if you believe you’ve missed your deadline to file, do not hesitate to contact a law firm. There are some exceptions to the personal injury statute of limitations in every jurisdiction, so don’t risk the financial compensation you deserve.

Contact a Tacoma Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today

Whether through settlement negotiations or a spinal cord injury lawsuit, it’s critical that you don’t delay. The quicker you take legal action, the more likely you’ll be to secure a fair settlement or substantial damages. Even incomplete spinal cord injuries can forever change a person’s life — leading to everything from chronic pain and loss of sexual function to immobility and early death. It’s important that you’re able to afford the medical care you need, and you should be compensated for your other losses as well. A personal injury attorney may be able to help.

At South Sound Law Group, our dedicated team of Tacoma spinal cord injury attorneys is here to assist. We’ve helped clients who suffered serious injuries in everything from sports accidents to collisions with a drunk driver. We know that the road ahead may seem daunting, but each legal professional at our law firm has the extensive experience necessary to fight for a fair outcome on your behalf. We’re ready to assist, so contact us at (253) 465-2722 to schedule your free case evaluation. We’re dedicated to securing justice for every one of our clients.