Spinal Injury
New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Fighting for those suffering from spinal cord injuries throughout NJ
Spinal cord injuries can be the result of a sudden traumatic blow to the spinal cord, as might happen in a car accident, a fall, or from being struck by a heavy object. The blow causes damage to the spine, which can cause varying degrees of injury depending on the location of injury and the severity of the blow. A spinal cord injury does not have to completely sever the spine to cause significant damage. People who survive spinal cord injuries can have varying degrees of disability to requiring assistance to walk, and complete paralysis from the neck down.
At Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP, our New Jersey spinal cord injury lawyers have earned national attention from the high-profile cases that they have taken and won, but they have not lost sight of the care and attention their clients are looking for. We have the tenacity to see your case through to the end making sure that we obtain compensation on our clients’ behalf.
About spinal cord injury
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) reports that there are about 17,700 new cases of spinal cord injury each year, and the number of people living with SCI in the United States is estimated to be about 288,000 people. The spinal cord is a strong, but delicate, structure which houses the nerve fibers connecting the brain and the rest of the body. When these nerve fibers are crushed or severed, it causes the loss of function, mobility, and sensation in parts of the body.
Even when a spinal cord injury does not lead to complete paralysis, it can still have a negative impact on a person’s life and ability to work and enjoy life. There are tremendous medical expenses from long hospital stays, physical and occupational therapy, medical equipment, counseling and other expenses. The inability to move and be independent and support themselves can cause tremendous stress and frustration to a person with spinal cord injury, and his or her quality of life can suffer.
Per the NSCISC, the average yearly expenses (including healthcare costs and living expenses) can vary greatly depending on a host of factors including the level of neurological impairment. The costs can range between $359,783 and $1,102,403 for the first-year expenses, not including lost wages and benefits. The life expectancy of a person with SCI remains significantly below average life expectancy for a person without spinal cord injury.
At Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, we work with medical economists and other experts to prepare projections for the cost of ongoing care for those with spinal cord injury. We fight to recover compensation for our clients that will cover their healthcare and other needs into the future.
Types of spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord injuries are divided into two categories: complete and incomplete.
An incomplete injury means that some part of the messages being transmitted between the brain and the rest of the body are still getting through, so there may still be some residual sensation and some feeling below the point of the injury. A complete injury is evidenced by the complete lack of sensation or mobility.
If the spinal cord is damaged, the victim is likely to suffer from a degree of paralysis that may be permanent.
Common causes of spinal cord injury
There are many things that can cause a spinal cord injury including:
Treating a spine injury following an accident
In the aftermath of an accident, many doctors treat spinal injuries with anti-inflammatory medicine and therapy. Surgery is usually a last resort, if the injury does not respond to less invasive forms of treatment.
For the victim of a spinal injury, it’s important to be patient and follow your doctor’s treatment plan for your recovery. If you discontinue treatment, the insurance company responsible for paying your bills will assume that you are no longer injured. You should not accept a settlement offer until you have reached what is known as maximum medical improvement. Only then will you know how the spinal injury will affect your life in the future.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports that respiratory problems are one of the more significant complications for those suffering from spinal cord injury to the neck area. People with this type of injury may require respiratory support. Treatment for spinal cord injury also includes physical therapies with skill-building activities for social and emotional support. Emerging therapies such as the electrical stimulation of nerves with neural prosthetic devices may help restore specific bodily functions depending on the level and severity of the spinal cord injury. (NINDS)
How can an experienced New Jersey spinal cord injury lawyer help?
As you face a long road to recovery after your injury, the knowledgeable spinal cord injury attorneys at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow will take on the legal battle so that you can focus on healing. You only get one chance to recover the compensation you will need for the rest of your life after a serious injury, so it is important that you work with a serious injury attorney team with experience recovering significant compensation for life-altering injuries. As the victim of another party’s negligence, you deserve full compensation for everything you have lost, including:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future lost wages
- Past and future medical expenses
- Cost of a home remodel to accommodate the needs of the injured person
- Home health care for assistance with activities of daily living
- Loss of consortium for your spouse
Our New Jersey injury attorneys represent all people who have suffered all types of spinal injuries, from herniated disks, to nerve damage, to full or partial paralysis due to another party’s negligence. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
NJ spinal cord injury lawyers help protect your future
You are welcome to call Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP at 732-777-0100, or contact us online to arrange a free consultation with our experienced New Jersey spinal injury attorneys. We offer evening and weekend appointments at our offices in Edison, Red Bank, and Toms River. If you are unable to come to us, one of our NJ personal injury lawyers will come to you.