Legal Representation For St. Louis Spinal Cord Injury Victims
Spinal cord injuries are extremely serious and often result in lasting complications, disability, and chronic pain. If you or your loved one suffered a spinal cord injury because another person or party was careless, reckless, or negligent, you are entitled to take legal action and seek financial compensation for your damages by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. However, filing a claim for a spinal injury, such as herniated or bulging disc, is not easy. It involves a lot of processes that might be difficult to deal with, especially if the case is complicated. There are several challenges you will face once you decide to file a case and you must be fully prepared for them.
One of the best ways you can protect yourself during the legal process is to work with an experienced attorney. At The Dixon Injury Firm, our St. Louis spinal cord injury lawyers have years of experience and have secured more than $50 million for injured Missourians. We understand what you are going through, as well as the challenges you face—and we know how to help.
To learn more, give us a call at (314) 208-2808 or CONTACT us online to schedule a free initial consultation.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Your spine is one of the most important parts of your body. It allows your brain to send messages throughout your body, allows you to walk upright, and provides stability and strength when lifting objects, moving, and running. When your spinal cord is injured, the rest of your body suffers.
Spinal cord injuries are separated into two categories:
- Complete Spinal Cord Injury: When a complete spinal cord injury happens, a person can lose the function of the limbs below the area of the spine that was injured. This can mean temporary and even permanent paralysis of those limbs.
- Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Incomplete spinal cord injuries allow the affected areas of the body to still function, but they will be under tremendous pain and discomfort.
Is There a Cure for Spinal Cord Injuries & the Resulting Damage?
Unfortunately, spinal cord injuries often result in permanent, incurable damage. While doctors can prescribe steroids and medicine that can lessen the pain and effects of a spinal cord injury, they cannot remove or cure the injury. When a spinal cord injury happens because of the negligence of another person or entity, you have the right to pursue compensation.
Your spinal injury will affect you for the rest of your life, and you will need compensation for medical costs associated with recovery, medicine, and any future diagnoses or injuries that may result from the injury. The St. Louis spinal cord injury lawyers at The Dixon Injury Firm are prepared to fight on your behalf for the compensation you are owed.
Who Is Eligible to File a Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
Just because you sustained an injury in an accident does not mean you are automatically eligible for compensation. Before filing a claim, you must first determine whether you qualify for compensation or not. In most cases, you will be eligible if you can prove that the accident was caused not by you but by another party, such as another driver on the road, the manufacturer of a defective product, or a business that failed to maintain its property. Determining whether you are eligible to file a spinal cord injury claim can be a challenge because you will have to gather proof regarding who is responsible for the accident, how the accident happened, the extent of your injuries, and the nature of your damages.
Dealing with the Insurance Company
If you decide to handle your spinal cord injury claim yourself, you will inevitably need to directly communicate with the insurance company or the lawyer representing the at-fault party. This can be tough because they will nearly always try to convince you to agree to a settlement early on in the process. Worse, they might offer you a lowball settlement that does not cover the damages the accident has caused. Negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company will be difficult unless you are familiar with the process. Additionally, if negotiations break down, you will need to file a lawsuit, which can be extremely complicated without the help of an experienced attorney.
Given this, it is advisable to work with a lawyer who knows how to handle spinal cord injury cases. With a lawyer on your side, you won’t have to personally deal with the insurance company or anyone from the at-fault party. You also won’t have to go through negotiations yourself and, if necessary, your attorney can help you file a lawsuit against the at-fault party and/or their insurance provider in order to fight for the full compensation you are owed.
How to Hire the Right Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Obtaining legal advice and representation is critical; however, hiring a lawyer can also be a challenge. The challenge for you in this regard is to look for a lawyer who can best handle your case.
There are several ways of finding a reputable lawyer. You can turn to the internet, as there are plenty of websites offering lists of personal injury lawyers in your area. Friends and family are often a reliable source of finding qualified legal representation as well. Whichever method you use to find an attorney, it is important you meet with him/her and feel comfortable.
You will have to set up a meeting with the lawyer you are considering and evaluate him/her. There are certain qualities to look for in an injury lawyer—as well as qualities to avoid. Be sure to hire a lawyer who is skilled and experienced in handling personal injury cases, particularly spinal cord injury claims. Also, choose a lawyer whom you can fully trust and who really understands what you are going through. Never hire an unlicensed lawyer and make sure your attorney carries malpractice insurance.
How The Dixon Injury Firm Can Help with Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim
The Dixon Injury Firm is recognized as an authority when it comes to protecting the interests of spinal cord injury victims. After a spinal cord injury—whether it occurred due to a car crash, a slip and fall, or some other type of accident—the responsible party, their lawyers, and the insurance agencies are going to try to get you to settle for as little as possible. They may also attempt to place as much blame as possible on you for the accident. This will allow them to settle quickly and against your best interests.
At The Dixon Injury Firm, we fight back against these tactics. Our attorneys are ready to defend your best interests against the responsible party, their lawyers, and the insurance corporations. We have a complete understanding of the most recent state laws and statutes and can use this knowledge to advocate for you and your loved ones during this trying time.
No one should have to suffer from a spinal cord injury, but when it does happen, choosing an experienced and knowledgeable spinal cord injury lawyer can ensure that you and your family are adequately compensated for your losses and help ensure that your financial future and health are protected.
Spinal Cord Injury Settlements
Usually, your personal injury lawyer and the at-fault party’s insurance company will try to reach a settlement agreement to avoid going to trial, as trials can take years depending on the case’s complexity. During settlement negotiations, disagreements can take place. You and the other party might be unable to meet halfway, or the other party may be unwilling to compromise and/or back down. When this happens, a settlement will not be reached, and the case will probably be taken to trial.
It is important to remember that large insurance companies make billions of dollars in profits each year. They do this by collecting more in premiums than they pay out in claims. Simply put, the insurance company has a different interest in this matter than you. Consult with a personal injury lawyer at our firm to learn more about your rights and how you can protect your best interests against the insurance company.
Do Spinal Cord Injury Cases Go to Trial?
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our attorneys may take your case to trial. Keep in mind that we always work closely with our clients to protect their best interests. Ultimately, the choice to go to trial is yours.
When you do go to trial, another set of challenges will be thrown at you. Keep in mind that the trial process can be long and exhausting. You will need patience, and your lawyer should be capable and diligent enough to see the case through.
In a trial, every aspect of the case will be studied and evaluated. The cause of the accident, the scope of the injury, and the compensation you truly deserve will be determined using all available evidence. The at-fault party will also use their resources to build up their case and when they find something that can work against you, it can be a problem for you. You should be prepared for defensive tactics the other party may use to win their case. For these reasons and more, make sure the attorney you hire has experience in a courtroom.
Contact The Dixon Injury Firm Today for a Free Consultation
These are only some of the challenges you might face when filing a spinal cord injury case. While they can seem discouraging, the process becomes much simpler when you put our powerful legal team on your side.
Sustaining a serious spinal injury is not a simple thing; it can have a massive impact on your life. You might have to put off your career and other personal matters because of the injury—all because someone else was negligent. At The Dixon Injury Firm, we believe that you deserve justice. Our St. Louis personal injury lawyers are prepared to help you throughout the entire legal process, beginning with a free initial consultation.
The Dixon Injury Firm
9666 Olive Blvd #202,
St. Louis, MO 63132
Phone:(314) 208-2808