One of the potential results of a catastrophic accident is injury to the brain or spinal cord. Together, the spinal cord and brain make up the central nervous system. This sensitive collection of nerves and support cells can sustain damage and lead to permanent disabilities. If you are the victim of brain and spinal damage as a result of another’s negligence, you could be entitled to financial compensation. There are many things that can cause this injury, many people who may be responsible, and specific criteria to outline negligence. Being aware of causes and effects can help you determine if you might benefit from the services of a professional attorney.
Causes of Brain and Spinal Damage
- Car accidents
- Slip & Fall accidents
- Gunshot wounds
- Sports accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Head trauma
- Acts of violence
- Some Diseases
Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
- Feeling or sensation loss
- Difficulty maintaining body temperature
- Inability to control one’s breathing
- Degeneration of the bone
- Complete or partial paralysis
Common Negligent Workers
- Caregivers – These people are there to help you; paid to assist you, and should be reliable
- Construction Workers – Specific rules and guidelines apply to roadwork safety
Identifying Negligent Action Criteria
- Someone carried the duty or responsibility for your care
- Your caregiver failed to uphold his or her duty to you resulting in injury to you
- A person’s failure to uphold his or her duty caused you to suffer harm or bodily damage
- Harm was a predictable result of another’s inappropriate action or inaction
Examples of Negligent Actions
- A lack of construction zone barriers between traffic and workspace, or guardrails around potentially dangerous nursing/care-giving equipment
- Absent or damaged construction zone warning signs, or unmarked danger areas in nursing settings that present fall risks
- Debris from construction left on the road, or patient care material lying around
- Tools or equipment left in the traffic flow, or walk spaces cluttered with patient care debris
- Uncovered manholes, or opened chemicals/first aid supplies that could lead to danger
Although many accidents are just accidents, sometimes others need to be held accountable for your pain. Being aware of signs, symptoms and causes of brain and spinal damage can help you determine when you need a doctor’s care. Being aware of negligent actions and criteria can help you decide when to call the folks at Litster Frost for their professional legal advice. Do not hesitate to call both professionals if you have been involved in an accident. Even if you think the accident may have been your fault, the attorneys can investigate the situation and let you know if the real liability lies with someone’s negligence. There is no need to suffer in silence and absorb your financial loss alone. There are many legal options available, and you are entitled to know and understand your rights.
If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury of the spine, no one needs to tell you that life may never be the same. Perhaps you can’t work or perform your duties around the house. Maybe you can’t find relief from the pain no matter what position you try – sitting, standing and lying down all feel equally tortuous. Possibly there’s a treatment or surgery that would help, but you can’t afford the out-of-pocket expenses if insurance even covers it in the first place.
It’s time to get help. The truth is, it’s difficult to win personal injury cases on your own. If you’ve tried to bring a claim yourself, you’ve probably experienced firsthand the discouragement and difficulty of trying to win a suit. Often, people don’t even know where to start. The amount of paperwork and proof required even to begin the claims process can be staggering. Sometimes it’s unclear whom you should even bring the suit against: A person? An insurance company? A public organization? If these questions have plagued you, it’s time to stop asking them and get help from Litster Frost.
Spinal Cord Injury in Boise
Idaho in general, and Boise in particular is a relatively safe place to live. However, that does not mean the state is without its dangers. Many small highways wind around the city and get icy in wintertime. In summer, leafy woods may prevent visibility. Traffic accidents are unfortunately quite common. More than 13,000 people were injured in 2016, according to the Idaho Transportation Department. Many of these injuries occured to the spinal cord.
Accidents also happen at work. Spinal cord injuries may result from slips, falls, vehicle accidents or being crushed. While some find it easy to get claims covered by their place of employment or additional insurance coverage, others do not. For instance, the United States Department of Labor reports that as of January 2018, only 1,815 of a total 7,081 Idaho workers’ compensation cases resulted in any sort of payment.
Why do these statistics matter to you? Because it’s important to understand that accident and injury are very common, and many of those accidents/injuries result in catastrophic injuries such as permanent spinal cord damage – yet despite this, getting claims paid isn’t necessarily easy.
Personal Injury Laws in Idaho
Part of the confusion surrounding claims is due to the complex personal injury laws in Idaho. It’s very difficult to wade through these laws on your own. Two of the more salient include:
Comparative Negligence
Idaho employs the comparative negligence of comparative responsibility law, which means that if both parties played a role in causing the accident, both parties may be responsible for damages. On the road, that might mean you and the other driver were both behaving irresponsibly. At work, perhaps equipment was malfunctioning (employer’s fault), but you weren’t using it correctly (your fault). That does not mean you don’t have a case, though. It simply means it’s even more important to get legal help and build a strong case to receive as much compensation as possible.
Statute of Limitations
Idaho’s statute of limitations on personal injury is 2 years. If you do not bring your claim against the other party within that time, you lose your chance. That might seem like a long time, but it isn’t. Between recovering from the injury, catching up with life and gathering documents, the time goes quickly. If you want the best chance of recovering damages, it’s critical you get started now.
Building Your Case
If you want to build a strong case, it’s time to start gathering evidence. Police reports, insurance documents and medical reports are all necessary to paint a full picture of the injury. Your attorneys will need full access to every related document so they can determine whether you have a case, and prepare as quickly as possible. It starts with speaking to a lawyer today.
Litster Frost Injury Lawyers in Boise
When you’re ready to get what you deserve, we invite you to get in touch with us here at Litster Frost Injury Lawyers. We would be happy to take a look at your case and offer whatever advice we have. If you have grounds to bring a claim, we may be able to help you put a case together to get the money you’re owed and start living a better life now.
Don’t keep living with the expenses of your injury; do something about it. We here at Litster Frost will help you in any way we can. All you have to do is get in touch by calling us at (208) 333-3330 or heading to our contact page now. We look forward to meeting with you and will do our best to get you what you deserve, so you can finally move on. Call today.
