It is estimated that approximately 7,800 spinal injuries occur every year in the U.S. The average hospital stay because of a spinal injury is 15 days, with 44 days of physical rehabilitation to follow. The average cost of the hospital stay alone could run well over several hundred thousand dollars.
A spinal cord injury is defined as a trauma to the spinal cord, resulting in disruption of the nerves or destruction of spinal cells. These injuries can range from a herniated disc to a compression fracture or far worse. Because the spinal column acts as the information highway for our bodies, a disruption of the nerve impulses can result in problems with:
Unless you have suffered this type of injury, it is difficult to appreciate the far-reaching effects that a spinal injury has. These injuries may or may not heal completely, and often involve months of rehabilitation and healing. You may be unable to return to your old job, and will have to be retrained for a new career. Stephen Bilkis and Associates understands the confusion and stress these injuries bring. Contact our legal team to discuss your options. We have a long-standing reputation of professionalism and success. We have received awards for our clients that range from sixty-nine million ($69,000,000) to twelve million ($12,000,000). Call us today to ensure that your rights are protected.
How Much is My Case Worth?If you have suffered a spinal injury and are facing unexpected medical expenses and loss of income, you may be wondering what your case is worth. To answer this question, your lawyer would need to take several things into account.
Medical Bills: If your injury was caused by the negligence of another, you are entitled to receive compensation for medical expenses that have been incurred as a result. For example, your expenses may include hospital visits, medical tests, surgery, and rehabilitation. It also may include expenses will arise in the future.
Loss of Wages: If you have missed work because of your spinal injury, you are able to receive compensation for the wages you have lost. You may find that you missed a great deal of work and your future may be uncertain depending on whether you heal completely. For those that have suffered the most serious kind of spinal injury and will not be able to work again, you are entitled to receive the wages you would have made if you had not have been injured. This could also include things like salary increases, bonuses and cost of living increases.
Pain and Suffering: Pain is subjective, meaning that only you know how much pain you have experienced. The law recognizes this, and allows for a plaintiff to be compensated for their pain and suffering based on what type of injury they have, and the prognosis for the future.
Insurance Policy Limits: Insurance policy limits are an important factor in your case. Regardless of how much you have in medical expenses and lost wages, if the policy limit is one million dollars ($1,000,000), more than likely you will not be able to collect a higher award.
With all of the above in mind, here are some examples of recent verdicts for similar personal injury cases:
$9,900,000 Jury Verdict: Elderly woman trips and falls at restaurant, causing cervical cord syndrome.
$6,000,000 Jury Verdict: Plaintiff receives serious spinal injury due to elevator malfunction.
$17,400,000 Jury Verdict: Teenage passenger suffers paralysis after car accident.
Being injured from the negligence of another is a stressful, confusing experience. Stephen Bilkis and Associates is here to help. We have decades of experience helping personal injury clients receive the compensation they deserve. It is important to act promptly. There are statutory time limits involved in bringing a lawsuit. If these deadlines are missed it could prevent you from filing a claim.
Call us for advice and a free consultation at 800.696.9529. We have office locations in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County and Westchester County.