Have you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in Minneapolis, Minnesota? These injuries are life-altering and catastrophic. You may be facing long-term medical needs, disability, and major changes to your daily life. Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help when you call (800) 292-1979.
If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek financial compensation for your losses. Our firm understands the devastating impact a spinal cord injury can have on your life and future.
Contact us online for a free case evaluation with a Minneapolis spinal cord injury lawyer to learn how we can help.
Why Choose Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys After A Spinal Cord Injury In Minneapolis, MN
After a spinal cord injury in Minneapolis, MN, you need a legal team with experience, skill, and a proven record of success. That’s what you’ll find at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys.
Here’s why you should choose us when you need help:
- For almost five decades, our firm has been committed to helping accident victims across Minnesota recover the compensation they deserve.
- We have more than 80 years of combined experience. Our team has the resources and experience needed to handle even the most complex injury cases.
- We have recovered over $90 million for our clients.
- Our attorneys have received many prestigious honors and recognition in the legal community. For example, our lawyers have been named Attorney of the Year for 2021 by Minnesota Lawyer and made the list of Top 50 Jury Verdicts Work Accidents in the United States in 2018 by TopVerdict.
- We have earned the Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent rating, 10.0 AVVO rating, and earned membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Contact Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation with a Minneapolis personal injury attorney to discuss your case.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury (SCI) happens when the spinal cord or the nerves at the end of the spinal canal are damaged. These injuries often result from trauma, but conditions like tumors and degenerative conditions of the vertebrae can also cause them.
The spinal cord plays a key role in sending messages between your brain and body. When it’s injured, it can affect your ability to move, feel, or control bodily functions.
Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries
A SCI is life-changing. Depending on the severity, they may lead to partial or total paralysis. Many victims face a lifetime of medical care, rehabilitation, and personal assistance.
Spinal cord injuries cause far more than paralysis. Survivors face many serious, long-term risks and complications, including bedsores, chronic pain, pneumonia, circulatory issues, and breathing problems.
A SCI also significantly reduces life expectancy. For a 20-year-old who suffers a spinal cord injury that causes tetraplegia, the average remaining life expectancy is 19 to 26 years shorter.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are generally classified into two main categories:
- Complete spinal cord injury. This means all feeling (sensory function) and all ability to control movement (motor function) are lost below the injury site. This type of injury affects both sides of the body equally.
- Incomplete spinal cord injury. With this type, the injured person retains some feeling and/or movement below the affected area. Incomplete injuries can vary widely in how much function remains.
The severity of a SCI may be graded based on the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS).
This standardized examination allows an injury grade and level to be assigned. AIS Grade A is the most severe, describing a complete injury with no sensory or motor function remaining at the S4-S5 level. AIS Grades B through D describe incomplete injuries.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can also be grouped based on where they occur along the spine.
- Cervical (neck): These are the most severe and can cause paralysis in the arms, legs, and torso.
- Thoracic (upper back): Often results in paralysis of the legs and lower body, but usually spares the arms.
- Lumbar (lower back): Can also cause paralysis, but may allow for some leg movement and control.
- Sacral (pelvis): These injuries typically affect the hips, buttocks, and pelvic organs.
Tetraplegia is the most severe form of paralysis from an SCI. It causes paralysis of the torso and all four limbs. The higher the injury, the more serious the effects. Paraplegia is a type of paralysis that mostly affects the legs, but the torso and arms may be affected.
What Causes Most Spinal Cord Injuries in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
Spinal cord injuries are often the result of sudden, traumatic events. In Minneapolis and across Minnesota, these injuries happen in a variety of ways, many of which are preventable. More than half of SCIs happen in people between 16 and 30 years old, and most are male.
Here are some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries in Minneapolis:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Car crashes, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, and other collisions are the top causes of spinal cord injuries nationwide. They make up nearly 39% of all cases.
- Falls: Especially among older adults, slip and falls, and falls from heights are the second most common cause. They account for about 32% of SCIs, and three-quarters of spinal cord injuries in elderly people.
- Acts of violence: Gunshot wounds and physical assaults contribute to about 15% of all SCIs.
- Sports and recreation: Football, diving, and extreme sports are responsible for around 8% of spinal injuries.
- Workplace accidents: Spinal cord injuries are most common in construction, warehousing, and transportation. Falls from heights and equipment-related incidents are common causes.
No matter how your injury occurred, if someone else’s negligence played a role, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced Minneapolis spinal cord injury attorney can help you understand your rights and fight for what you deserve.
What Compensation Is Available After a Spinal Cord Injury in Minneapolis, MN?
A spinal cord injury can change every part of your life, and it often comes with major financial strain. If someone else was responsible for your injury, Minnesota law allows you to seek compensation for both your economic losses and non-economic damages.
You may be entitled to compensation for economic damages like:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, rehab, and future medical needs
- Lost wages for time missed at work while recovering
- Loss of earning capacity if you can’t return to your job or earn the same income
- Out-of-pocket costs like home modifications, medical equipment, home health aides, and replacement services
You may also be entitled to non-economic damages, such as:
- Physical pain
- Psychological and emotional anguish and distress, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances
- Lost quality of life
- Disfigurement
Punitive damages may be available in rare cases involving extreme recklessness, gross negligence, or intentional harm. These damages, intended to punish the defendant’s behavior, can only be awarded by a jury.
Contact Our Minneapolis Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Have you suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident in Minneapolis, MN? You may be entitled to compensation, but you have a limited amount of time to file your case. Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys is here to help you.
With over 80 years of combined experience and more than $90 million recovered, our award-winning team knows how to win tough cases. Call today to schedule your free consultation with a Minneapolis spinal cord injury lawyer.
