Bakersfield Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer (2023)

Spine Injury Attorneys in Bakersfield, CA

Your spine serves a variety of purposes. Supports and allows your frame to move. It provides a support structure for the rib cage that protects the heart and lungs. Allows standing upright. But most importantly, it encloses the spinal cord, an essential part of your nervous system. Even minor damage to the spinal cord is considered a traumatic injury. If the injury was caused by the negligence of another party, the injured victim should contact a spinal cord injury attorney to ensure appropriate compensation. If you have sustained a spinal cord injury in Bakersfield, California,ContactMickey Fine Law Office online or by phone(661) 333-3333Arrange a free consultation appointment with us todaySpinal Cord Injury Attorneys in Californiaand learn more about your rights.

Common causes of spinal cord injuries

There are countless causes of spinal cord injuries. However, some of the most common reasons for spinal cord injuries in the United States include:

  • motor vehicle accidents- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States. These accidents account for more than 35 percent of new spinal cord injuries each year.
  • Slips/stumbles and falls– For people age 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of spinal cord injury in the United States. Across all age groups, falls cause more than 25% of spinal cord injuries nationwide.
  • Violence– Almost 15 percent of spinal cord injuries are the result of violence. These include gunshot wounds, stab wounds, and others.
  • Sports and Recreational Injuries– Sporting activities turn out to be dangerous for many. Sports such as soccer, hockey and other contact sports can have a debilitating effect on the structure of the human spine. Almost 9 percent of spinal injuries result from these types of activities.
  • illness and substance abuse- Cancer, arthritis, and other problems, including inflammation, have also led to spinal injuries. Alcohol also causes nearly 1 in 4 spinal cord injuries nationwide.

spinal injuries

Your spine is made up of numerous individual vertebrae. Intervertebral discs lie between these vertebrae. Bony protrusions called facet joints connect the vertebrae to aid in spinal flexibility.

The vertebrae are hollow, which allows the spinal cord to run the length of the spine. The spinal cord itself is protected by the dura mater, a waterproof sac that holds the spinal cord, nerve endings, and spinal fluid in place.

If you have an injury to your vertebrae or discs, such aswhiplash, you may experience tingling, numbness, or a temporary loss of movement or function. However, treatment of these injuries may require little more than immobilization followed by epidural or cortisone injections. Unfortunately, events such as car accidents often result in cable damage from which full recovery can be impossible.

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Spinal cord injuries from medical errorsthey are also very common. These injuries are alarming because they would have been prevented had the doctor exercised due care.

If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal injury as a result of someone else's negligence, it is important that you speak to an experienced team of Bakersfield spinal injury attorneys as soon as possible to learn what compensation is available for you is available.

Types of spinal cord injuries

The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on where and how the vertebrae are damaged. If the spine is damaged but not severed, some forms of rehabilitation can allow certain functions to be restored. However, if the spine is partially completely damaged or the umbilical cord is severed, the consequences of the injury are likely to be permanent.

lumbar and sacral spine

The lumbar spine and sacral spine are the lower parts of the spinal cord. Damage in this area can have the following consequences:

  • Loss of function in the hips and legs.
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control
  • loss of sexual function

Damage to these lower areas is usually not as severe as damage to the upper part of the spinal cord, but may require adaptive technology such as a wheelchair or leg braces for mobility.

thoracic spine

The thoracic spine is the middle part of the spinal cord. Damage to this area can lead to all of the complications associated with lower back and sacrum injuries, along with:

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  • Inability to control the respiratory muscles.
  • paraplegia

In the case of a thoracic spinal cord injury, adaptive technology is needed for mobility and possibly respiratory support.

Cervical column

There are different types of cervical spine injuries. Damage to the cervical spine is associated with the most serious complications. Injury to this part of the spine can cause the same complications as damage to the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions, in addition to:

  • Loss of function in the arms, wrists and hands.
  • language difficulties
  • Tetraplegie

This type of spinal cord injury often requires home care and constant monitoring of vital signs to prevent fatalities.

Bakersfield Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer (1)

Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms

Although many spinal cord injuries cause immediate symptoms, there can be a delay between injury and loss of function. Therefore, it is particularly important that you see a doctor after an accident that may have affected your spine. If SCI is caught before symptoms appear, it can be treated with traction.

Symptoms of a spinal cord injury immediately after an accident that indicate an emergency include:

  • paralysis
  • Numbness or loss of feeling in your hands, fingers, or toes
  • severe back pain
  • Pressure in the back, neck or head
  • Difficulty balancing, standing, or walking
  • difficulty breathing

Symptoms that may be delayed include:

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  • Loss of feeling, including feeling hot and cold.
  • sexual dysfunction
  • Problems with bowel or bladder control
  • muscle spasticity
  • exaggerated reflexes
  • Chronic back pain or burning sensations along the spinal cord
  • Ejection of clear fluids from the lungs.

It can take time for these symptoms to develop, but if they occur after an accident, they should be reported to a trusted healthcare professional right away.

Bakersfield Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer (2)

Recovery after spinal cord injury

Recovery from spinal cord injury often depends on prompt intervention. If you have suffered a back injury through someone else's carelessness, you should seek legal help. Mickey Fine is an experienced spinal cord injury attorney and can help you get the compensation you need to have the best possible recovery.

When you suffer a spinal cord injury, full recovery can be impossible. Depending on the extent of your spinal cord injury, rehabilitation may be more like retraining as you learn to use adaptive technology, adapt to new home modifications, and learn to live with a permanent loss of function. Even if it doesn't, you need an experienced onecalifornia personal injury attorneyby your side immediately after your accident to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Even in cases where total spinal cord injury prevents recovery, a team of medical experts is needed to ensure the most effective rehabilitation. This can include:

  • doctors
  • physiotherapists
  • occupational therapists
  • psychologists
  • pain specialists

The combined costs associated with the services of these professionals can be staggering and even then represent only a small portion of the economic and non-economic damage caused by SCI.

Bakersfield Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer (3)

In addition to medical costs, victims of spinal cord injuries may be unable to work, have home modifications and need 24-hour care. California Personal Injury Attorney Mickey Fine is ready to take your case as far as possible to fight for fair compensation and ensure that this and all associated costs and damages are fully covered.

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Compensation for spinal cord injuries in Bakersfield

Spinal cord injury is serious and compensation for these types of cases is often higher due to the costs incurred by spinal cord injury victims. Some of the harms that one could be compensated for in a spinal cord injury claim include, but are not limited to, the following:

loss of earning capacity

This is one of the first damages considered in a spinal cord injury claim. The help of an occupational expert can be helpful in determining how much of your expected lifetime wages you will lose as a result of your spinal cord injury. Some people with spinal cord injuries are still able to work; However, many are unable to maintain the type of work they were used to after their injury. This is something you could be compensated for.

The cost of living

People who suffer from spinal cord injuries may need different types of care and services at home for the rest of their lives. This could mean hiring a full-time housekeeper, assistant, or nurse to help them complete chores they can't do on their own. A life care planner can help you estimate how much these services will cost over your lifetime. Family members are often the primary caregivers for a person with a spinal cord injury; however, it is often too much for one person to handle. A life planner will take this into account when evaluating a spinal cord injury case.

pain and suffering

Pain and suffering and loss of zest for life can also be taken into account in your spinal cord injury claim. With the help of an expert examination and business studies that show your life impairment, you can compensate for pain and suffering.

medical expenses

Medical procedures for a spinal cord injury can be very expensive. Ambulance trips, emergency room visits, surgical procedures, and physical therapy sessions can result in high costs that your insurance may not be able to cover. Compensation for many of these costs is available depending on the circumstances of your individual case.

Bakersfield Spine Injury Attorney Mickey Fine can help you after an accident

If you need a CaliforniaSpinal Cord Injury Advocate, please call(661) 333-3333Today. Mickey Fine has over 25 years of experience helping SCI victims in Bakersfield seek justice. It costs nothing to meet with Mickey Fine, a spinal injury attorney, to discuss your case and help you better understand your rights, your options, and the best way to obtain the full compensation that you are entitled to to understand.

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Law Offices of Mickey Fine – Bakersfield Office
Truxtun Avenue 930, Suite 110
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 333-3333

FAQs

What percentage do most injury lawyers take? ›

As a general rule, the personal injury lawyer will receive 33% of the final settlement amount in the case. However, cases that go to trial often incur different costs. The goal of this fee structure is to minimize the client's financial risk in hiring an attorney to represent them.

How much can you get for a spinal cord injury? ›

For general damage awards, the overall compensation awarded will depend on the intensity or severity of the SCI. Severe SCIs may be awarded somewhere between $240,000 and $320,000. For mildly severe SCIs damage awards may be given for amounts between $160,000 and $240,000.

What is the most serious spinal cord injury? ›

Cervical spinal cord injuries affect the head and neck region above the shoulders. It is the most severe level of spinal cord injury.

Has anyone ever recovered from a complete spinal cord injury? ›

While there is an incredible amount of promising research being done on spinal cord injuries, there is still no cure. Nerve cells in the spinal cord are complex, and the trauma associated with spinal cord injuries makes it nearly impossible for these cells to regenerate.

What is the usual result of a settlement? ›

Generally, when a settlement agreement is reached, the responsible party pays an amount to compensate for the “damages,” or losses, their negligence caused the victim.

Do lawyers give advances on settlements? ›

According to the American Bar Association, lawyers are not allowed to give advances on settlements before a lawsuit has been determined. This prevents conflict of interest and arguments stemming from legal fees leveled against settlement amounts and advance interest percentages.

How much is a back injury worth in California? ›

Average Settlement For Back And Neck Injuries In A California Car Crash. The average settlement for a minor back or neck injury is between $2,500 and $8,000. If physical therapy, injections, or other forms of treatment are required the settlement may be higher and range from $20,000 - $40,000.

How much do you get for neck and back injury? ›

The national average settlement amount for a neck and back injury is $925,169, while the median amount is $316,000, according to a recent study conducted by The Miley Legal Group.

Does spinal injury count as a disability? ›

Under this Blue Book listing you can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if you suffer from spinal cord or nerve root lesions due to any cause, including any kind of spinal cord injury.

Can a spinal cord injury get worse? ›

Even if you experience only mild symptoms after an accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Spinal cord injuries can worsen when they are not diagnosed and treated in time.

How painful is a spinal cord injury? ›

In spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, chronic pain is common. It impacts about 70% of patients with one-third of these experiencing severely intense pain impacting on mood, functioning, and quality of life. The pain can be nociceptive, neuropathic, or visceral.

Which doctor is best for spinal cord injury? ›

A physiatrist is the best medical specialist to help patients with spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and multiple sclerosis complications.

What is a success fee in personal injury cases? ›

A success fee is the amount of compensation a personal injury lawyer can take to cover their general services if your claim is successful. The success fee percentage is capped at 25% by law, meaning that your lawyer or solicitor can only take up to 25% of your compensation.

What is the highest personal injury settlement? ›

$60 Million Train Derailment Case. The manager of a gas station manager was injured in his office at the business. Though he survived the incident, the victim was left with a life-altering traumatic brain injury. His settlement included $46 million in damages and $14 million in interest.

How do you calculate settlement amount? ›

The general formula most insurers use to measure settlement worth is the following: (Special damages x multiplier reflecting general damages) + lost wages = settlement amount.

Do most personal injury lawyers make a lot of money? ›

Personal injury lawyers charge between $150 to $500 per hour on average when you consider the average contingency fee payout. But exceptions exist that could make the hourly rate total up to thousands of dollars per hour, especially in mass torts, or a class action suit.

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