If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to compensation. You should contact an Augusta personal injury lawyer from Chris Hudson Law Group to discuss the specifics of your case.
Spinal cord injuries can have drastic and lifelong consequences. The impact can also be financially devastating for those injured and their families. If you have been injured, you may be facing a long recovery, enormous medical bills, and the costs of altering your home and vehicles to facilitate your new way of life. All these changes can be expensive and stressful. No one should ever suffer financial hardship after suffering a spinal cord injury through no fault of their own. If you believe your injury was caused by negligence, contact a lawyer right away.
Most injury victims find that working with a lawyer is the only way to get the full compensation they deserve. Those who choose legal representation while pursuing personal injury cases are awarded three and a half times more money in damages than those who face the legal battle alone. A lawyer can be your advocate to help you through an enormously difficult time in your life.
If you or a loved one was injured, call (706) 863-6600 or fill in our contact request form to set up a consultation with a personal injury lawyer that specializes in spinal cord injuries from the Chris Hudson Law Group.
Should I Hire a Lawyer for my Spinal Cord Injury Case?
Recovering from a spinal cord injury will likely be the biggest challenge of your life: physically, emotionally, and financially. Partnering with a seasoned legal representative can ease your burden and enable you to recover with peace of mind. An attorney can help guide you to the resources you need to recover physically and emotionally, including medical specialists and counselors. Just as importantly, a lawyer will build your case to gain compensation on your behalf. The complications of your injury would make it impossible to craft a persuasive legal case on your own. Working with a legal veteran is your best option.
The legal system is complicated and proving who is at fault may be tricky. An experienced firm will have the team in place to gather evidence and build the case required to recoup full and fair compensation for you and your loved ones. An attorney can also prevent you from being harassed by defense lawyers, insurance adjusters, or even law enforcement. Handling all the communication and logistics of your case is best done by a lawyer with experience, while you focus on your recovery.
Why Should I Choose Chris Hudson Law Group?
At Chris Hudson Law Group, we are committed to delivering the results you need. Our firm is built on client-centered care; we will work tirelessly on your behalf. Since our founding in 2005, our firm has become one of the most trusted names in Georgia law because we get results. Those in the Savannah region have seen our firm grow through our dedication to compassionate service and top-quality legal guidance. We have recovered millions for our clients and can do the same for you.
Our founding partner, Chris Hudson, is a proud Bulldog graduating from the University of Georgia with honors in 2000. He went on to graduate from law school in the top 10% of his class with a host of honors and awards to his name. Chris has built his firm with like-minded attorneys who specialize in empathetic legal care of the highest quality. In the wake of your injury, you will be facing an overwhelming amount of stress and frustration, particularly if your injury was caused by negligence. Working with Chris Hudson Law Group will relieve you of your uncertainty as our team will guide you through both your recovery and legal journey.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are often catastrophic and costly. The severity of debilitation and costs associated with the accident will vary on a case-by-case basis, but if you have suffered an injury to your spinal cord, you are likely suffering a great deal. The most common causes of spinal cord injuries, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, include:
- Motor vehicle accidents (42.1%)
- Slips or falls (26.7%)
- Violence, including gunshot wounds (15.1%)
- Recreational activities and sports (7.6%)
You may have suffered your spinal cord injury similarly or uniquely. In either case, if you believe a negligent party or action lead to your injury, you should consult an attorney as soon as you are able. The legal team at Chris Hudson Law Group can build a strong case on your behalf to ensure you are not made financially responsible for someone else’s careless actions.
What Compensation Might I Recover from a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?
Depending on who is determined to be at fault will determine the legal strategy and potential compensation you can recover. The purpose of financial compensation in cases of negligence is to cover the costs related to your injury, loss of wages, pain, and suffering, among other things. Compensation for spinal cord injuries can be quite substantial due to the drastic and life-altering impact these injuries can have. Expensive medical treatment may be required for the rest of your life, along with any home or vehicle modifications necessary due to disability. Damages you can recover may include:
- Medical costs (current or future)
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium (impacts on spouses and loved ones)
- Wrongful death
In some cases, you may be able to pursue punitive damages for your injury. Punitive damages are intended to punish those who display wilful or reckless conduct that results in injuries.
Punitive damages are used to send a message to others in the community that the behavior displayed by the defendant is morally reprehensible, and those who engage in similar behaviors will face consequences. Punitive damages are awarded financially on top of what may be awarded in a personal injury ruling. Working with a lawyer can help you determine if pursuing punitive damages is appropriate in your case.
Defective Product or Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Depending upon the cause of your injury, your lawsuit may fall either under the category of a defective product lawsuit or personal injury. Proving fault and recovering compensation will require different types of evidence and strategies depending on which category the case fits into. This is one of many reasons why working with an experienced firm is crucial, determining who is at fault and who is financially responsible may not be so obvious. A practiced attorney will be able to effectively guide you through the correct legal proceedings.
If your injury was caused by a defective product, such as a flawed seatbelt or airbag, the vehicle manufacturer may be held liable for your injury. The designer and seller of the vehicle may also be held accountable in this scenario. Your lawyer will be able to determine the liable party and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
If your injury was caused by a negligent party, it would be classed under the umbrella term ‘personal injury’. An irresponsible distracted driver may have hit your car or knocked you off your motorcycle, leading to your injury. In order to be successful in your case, your legal team must prove that the person who caused your injury was in some way negligent. To prove negligence, four elements must be shown, including:
- Duty- the defendant had an obligation to operate with reasonable safety standards
- Breach- they failed in that obligation
- Causation- their failure actually caused the injuries you suffered
- Injury- you were injured as a result of the action or inaction of the defendant
In these cases, the party who caused your injuries will be held legally and financially responsible. However, they may not pay the entirety of the awarded damages if your own actions contributed to the accident.
What if I am Partially Responsible for My Injury?
If you share fault for your injury, your hope of recovering compensation is not lost. Georgia law operates under contributory negligence statutes which account for situations where two parties may have contributed to an injury sustained by one of them. Under this law, the court will assess how much fault each party shares as a percentage. As long as you are found to be less than 50% responsible for your injury, you can potentially recover damages.
The percentage of fault the defendant holds will determine how much of the awarded settlement they pay. If the court awards you $100,000 in damages but determines that you are 10% responsible, the defendant would only have to pay 90% of that total, meaning you would recover $90,000.
Contact a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer from Chris Hudson Law Group Today
If you or a loved one have suffered a spinal cord injury, the pain and suffering you have endured are likely immense. During this difficult time, you will need a strong legal advocate standing by your side.
The legal team at Chris Hudson Law Group has helped recover millions of dollars for Georgians just like you. We are here to help. We have the experience and skill necessary to build a strong case and achieve a favorable outcome.
For legal guidance after a spinal cord injury, call us today at (706) 863-6600 or fill out our contact request form and a member of our team will contact you right away.