Spinal Cord Injury
Few injuries are as life-altering as a severe spine injury. The medical bills alone often exceed $4 million. Even after such an expenditure, in many cases, life never goes back to the way it was before, for victims or their families.
An Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Attorney California at the Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim help victims deal with immediate needs, such as medical bills. Because of our professional relationship with key providers, our spine injury clients often receive the treatment they need without paying anything upfront. Over the long term, we help families adjust to the new normal by obtaining compensation and justice for their injuries.
What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries?
Motor vehicle collisions are probably the leading cause of spine injuries in California. Specifically, the sudden, violent motion often knocks the spine out of alignment.
Frequently, during initial stages, spinal cord injuries only cause mild discomfort. Over time, cracked vertebrae and other such wounds get worse and worse. Only a physician specializing in car crash injuries knows how to spot these injuries and take preventative action. And, only an experienced Los Angeles spinal cord injury attorney can connect victims with that kind of medical help.
In contrast, trauma normally causes spine injuries among slip-and-fall victims. If these victims land on their backs, as is often the case, what might be a bone bruise elsewhere is a serious spine injury.
Many fall victims, especially older adults, have pre-existing conditions, like a bad back, which make them more susceptible to such injuries. Typically, full compensation is available, because of the eggshell skull rule.
Finally, medical malpractice causes some spine injuries, mostly because of misdiagnosis. After car wrecks or falls, some people visit nearby chiropractors. These individuals might or might not be able to properly diagnose spine problems. Additionally, as mentioned, most of these injuries are only painful, at least in the beginning. So, many practitioners prescribe painkillers which simply mask the underlying problem.
Your Claim for Damages
Most spine injury compensation claims involve ordinary negligence or negligence per se. The available compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering.
Ordinary negligence is basically a lack of care. Most noncommercial drivers and property owners have a duty of reasonable care. They must take steps to avoid accidents. So, drivers must be well-rested and focus on the road instead of their devices. And, property owners must inspect their premises to make sure there are no fall hazards.
Generally, commercial operators and doctors have higher duties of care. Commercial drivers, especially people like Uber and taxi drivers, are practically insurers of passenger safe conduct. Doctors usually have a fiduciary duty toward their patients. They must disregard all other priorities and focus solely on the patient’s welfare.
Sometimes, the law establishes the standard of care. That’s the basis of a negligence per se claim. These claims are especially common in car wreck cases. Examples include speeding, driving while intoxicated, and making an illegal turn. If tortfeasors (negligent drivers) violate these safety laws and cause wrecks, they might be responsible for damages as a matter of law.
Many spine injury claims also include third party liability. For example, if a commercial driver causes a wreck, the employer might be vicariously liable for damages. Third party liability theories are especially important in spine injury and other catastrophic injury claims. Many individual drivers do not have enough insurance coverage to provide fair compensation in these situations. Vicarious liability gives victims an additional source of recovery.
This same theory, which is called respondeat superior, also applies in many medical negligence claims. Vicarious liability might be the only way to convince hospitals and clinics to change the way they do business and thereby prevent future accidents.
Our Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys
Catastrophic injury victims deserve, and need, substantial compensation. For a free consultation with a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles, contact the Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim. You have a limited amount of time to act. Call 800-LAW-TALK (529-8255) or contact us online.
Sharona Eslamboly Hakim is the principal of the firm.
