Tacoma Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
After sustaining a serious spinal cord injury your life, or the life of your loved one, may never be the same.
We understand the devastating impact of spinal cord injuries. From car accidents and motorcycle accidents to falls and medical malpractice, these life-altering events can leave victims struggling with paralysis, chronic pain and suffering, and a drastically changed quality of life.
The aftermath can feel overwhelming, a tangle of medical bills, emotional anguish, and uncertainty about the future. Since this can have a dramatic impact on victim’s lives, it is crucial compensation is awarded from the liable parties.
That is where we come in. Rush Hannula Harkins & Kyler PLLC (RHHK), your trusted Tacoma personal injury lawyers, are here to stand by you every step of the way.
How Our Tacoma Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Can Help
The law allows you one chance to file a claim, so your choice of the attorney to represent you could be the most momentous decision of your life. RHHK provides experienced, client-centered and team-oriented representation.
Since 1959, we’ve fought for seriously injured clients, rewarding their confidence in us with our determined efforts to obtain the full measure of compensation to which they are entitled.
We know the law, the tactics of insurance companies, and the challenges you face. We’ll be your relentless advocates, guiding you through the complexities of your personal injury case, so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency fee basis.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord is a crucial bundle of nerves running down your back, sending messages between your brain and body. Because of this, an injury to the spinal cord is the type of injury that can be catastrophic.
Injury victims can lose some or all motor function below the point of injury. If the injury occurs high on the spinal column, the victim may lose use of the arms and legs (quadriplegia); if the injury occurs below the neck, the victim might not be able to move their legs and suffer impaired abdominal functions (paraplegia).
An injury to this vital pathway can disrupt these signals, leading to various symptoms like:
- Paralysis: Loss of muscle movement and sensation in parts of your body.
- Spasticity: Involuntary muscle contractions and spasms.
- Neuropathy: Pain, numbness, tingling, or burning sensations.
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction: Difficulty controlling urination and bowel movements.
- Sexual dysfunction: Loss of sexual sensation and function.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
The most common causes of serious spinal cord injury are auto accidents and construction accidents. In each instance, an impact causes compression or bending of the spinal cord that bruises or breaks nerve fibers necessary for transmitting nerve impulses. Other common causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Car crashes, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and bicycle accidents are some of the leading causes.
- Falls: From heights, slips and falls, and construction accidents.
- Violence: Gunshot wounds, stabbings, dog bites, and physical assaults.
- Sports injuries: Diving accidents, football tackles, and other high-impact sports collisions.
- Medical malpractice: Improper surgical procedures, anesthesia errors, and birth injuries.
Common Procedures for Spinal Cord Injuries
Surgical science has developed several methods for alleviating back and neck pain by decompressing areas around the nerves and stabilizing areas where degenerative injuries have occurred. Common procedures include:
- Discectomy: Surgery to remove herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord
- Spinal fusion: Any of several procedures using bone grafts to eliminate painful motion of vertebrae.
- Laminectomy and laminotomy: Removal of all or part of posterior arch of the vertebral bone to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Spinal Injury Surgical Malpractice
While surgeons claim a success rate as high as 80 percent, serious errors also occur, inflicting unnecessary pain and requiring additional surgery to correct. In some cases, the damage due to surgical error is permanent. Common surgical mistakes include:
- Incision errors: Scalpels or lasers can damage blood vessels and nerves.
- Misplacement of surgical hardware: Some procedures require screws and plates that must be properly positioned.
- anesthesia errors: A risk with any surgery, an anesthesia error that allows a patient to awaken during spinal surgery is particularly dangerous.
- Failures in postoperative monitoring: Postoperative infections, hematomas and blood clots can cause serious repercussions, including paraplegia.
Proving that surgical malpractice caused an increase in back pain or permanent disability is not easy. Fortunately, our attorneys have vast experience in complex malpractice litigation. We’re well versed in surgical protocols and have longstanding relationships with qualified experts whose participation is crucial to your case’s success.
The Spinal Cord Injury Claim Process
If your spinal cord injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and ongoing care needs. Here’s what the claim process may look like:
- Free consultation: Discuss your case with our experienced injury attorneys.
- Investigation: We gather evidence, including medical records, accident reports, and witness statements to begin your personal injury claim.
- Negotiation: We work with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement.
- Litigation: If a fair settlement isn’t possible, we’ll go to court to fight for your rightful compensation.
Spinal Cord Injury FAQs
What is the financial burden of a spinal cord injury?
The financial burden of a spinal cord injury can be immense and long-lasting. Some estimates suggest the first year alone can cost close to $1 million or more for high tetraplegia, with ongoing annual costs reaching hundreds of thousands.
These costs are estimated from potential expenses, treatments, procedures, and cost of living including:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, rehabilitation, medication, ongoing medical care.
- Lost wages: Inability to work due to the injury and ongoing limitations.
Home modifications: Modifications to make your home accessible, like wheelchair ramps, bathroom adaptations, etc. - Assistive technology: Wheelchairs, prosthetics, specialized equipment for daily living.
- Loss of earning potential: Reduced job opportunities or lower earning capacity due to the injury.
Remember, these estimates and the actual costs can vary significantly depending on the severity of your injury, your pre-injury income, and your ongoing care needs.
Is it worth it to get a personal injury lawyer?
Getting a personal injury lawyer can be crucial if you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence. They can:
- Investigate your case: Gather evidence to prove your claim and identify the responsible party.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Fight for a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
- File a lawsuit: If necessary, take your case to court to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
- Guide you through the legal process: Provide legal advice and support throughout the complex legal process.
While not mandatory, having an experienced lawyer on your side can significantly increase your chances of getting fair compensation and navigating the legal system effectively.
What is the statute of limitations for spinal cord injury claims in Washington?
You have three years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit.
What type of compensation can I receive?
If your spinal cord injury was caused by negligence, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses: Past, present, and future medical bills related to your injury.
- Lost wages: Compensation for income you were unable to earn due to the injury.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the injury.
- Loss of earning capacity: Compensation for your reduced earning potential in the future.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for the limitations and activities you can no longer participate in due to the injury.
Contact an Established and Reputable Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm in Washington State
A permanent spinal injury requires compensation for your lifetime. The dedicated personal injury lawyers of Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC are committed to securing the maximum damage recovery possible.
Call 253-364-4966 or contact us online to arrange your free consultation.
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Do you have a case?
At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC we have the skill and experience to take on a wide range of personal injury cases throughout Washington state. From motor vehicle accidents to workplace injuries – our reputation and success rates keep opposing counsel on edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have answers to some of the most common Washington personal injury questions. These are resources for injury victims.
Do I need a lawyer to file a personal injury lawsuit?
It is not necessary to retain a lawyer to file your personal injury lawsuit. You should base your decision to involve an attorney on a reasonable assessment of the pros and cons. Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC is a highly reputable personal injury law firm that has served Washington since 1959. We deliver value to our clients that far outweighs the fees we collect. But before you retain any attorney, you have to be satisfied that the benefits exceed the costs. We offer these points for your consideration.
What is the statute of limitations in Washington for personal injury?
A statute of limitations is state law; throughout the country, different states set different time limits for identical causes of action. Within each state, different causes of action have different time limits. In Washington, for personal injury lawsuits, the statute of limitations is three years.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
The great advantage of filing a personal injury lawsuit is that most attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. That means that rather than charging upfront legal fees or an hourly rate, the attorney works without compensation until the case resolves through a jury verdict or settlement. At that time, the attorney takes a percentage of the award. The contingency fee arrangement helps plaintiffs who could not otherwise afford the costs of civil litigation to pursue just compensation without worrying about expenses. It also means that your ability to retain an excellent lawyer does not depend on your ability to pay, but rather on the attorney’s assessment of the strength of your case, or the importance of delivering justice to someone in your particular circumstances.
How do I file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington state?
At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, we want our clients to have an accurate picture of what a personal injury lawsuit entails. The process is rarely quick and easy; defense counsel and insurance companies often employ delay tactics to wear a plaintiff down. We offer this page as a primer for anyone who has a cause of action and is considering a personal injury lawsuit.
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