spinal cord and back injuries lawyers

Meridian Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

A spinal cord injury changes life in an instant. If you’re recovering from this kind of trauma in Meridian, you know the challenges reach far beyond physical pain. Hospital stays, long-term medical needs, and help with daily tasks are just part of what injured victims and families must handle. Insurance companies often don’t want to pay what’s needed, and the mistakes made in the first days after your accident can impact your recovery for years to come.

Working with an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer means having someone focused entirely on your needs. Let our team help. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.

How we can help

Filing a spine injury claim

Filing a spine injury claim may be possible when your injury happened because of someone else’s negligence or intentional actions. Common examples include car, truck, and motorcycle crashes, slip and fall accidents, workplace incidents due to faulty equipment or unsafe conditions, or even cases involving violence or physical assault. You must be able to show that the other person's actions caused your injuries and that you suffered damages as a result.

Incomplete vs. complete spinal cord injuries

Spinal cord injuries aren’t all the same - some cause permanent changes, while others allow for at least partial recovery.

What is a complete spinal cord injury?

A complete spinal cord injury results from a complete disconnect between your brain and the body parts below the level of injury. In such cases, the spinal cord may have been completely severed or crushed, stopping all signals from traveling up or down. This results in complete loss of motion and sensation beneath the injury.

What is an incomplete spinal cord injury?

An incomplete spinal cord injury happens when the cord is only partly damaged. Here, some nerve signals still get through. Victims may keep varying levels of sensation or muscle strength in areas below the trauma. Sometimes this means minor weakness or unusual sensations.

Injuries associated with spinal cord injuries

A spinal cord injury often leads to complications and secondary injuries that go beyond just loss of movement or feeling. Other organs and body systems are affected, especially as your body tries to adjust to new limitations. Doctors and care teams commonly monitor for the following injuries or symptoms when someone suffers damage to the spinal cord:

 

  • Paralysis
  • Partial loss of movement in the limbs
  • Loss of sensation
  • Chronic pain
  • Unusual nerve sensations
  • Broken or dislocated vertebrae around the injury
  • Muscle weakness or spasticity
  • Difficulty controlling bladder or bowel function
  • Breathing problems or increased risk of pneumonia
  • Pressure sores from remaining in one position
  • Loss of sexual function
  • Changes in reproductive health
  • Autonomic dysreflexia, a dangerous spike in blood pressure caused by irritation below the level of injury
  • Blood clots, especially in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) because of decreased mobility
  • Risk of infection in the urinary tract, lungs, or wounds

These related injuries can impact quality of life and recovery outcomes just as much as the primary spinal trauma itself.

Types of spinal cord injuries

Spinal cord injuries present in different forms, not only by severity but by exactly where and how the cord or its surrounding area is affected.

Cervical spinal cord injuries

These injuries happen in the neck area, the highest region of your spinal column. Damage here often affects sensory or motor function in both the arms and legs, sometimes leading to quadriplegia. Even minor injuries in the cervical area are taken seriously because higher cervical levels control signals to the diaphragm and can sometimes lead to possible breathing concerns.

Lumbar spinal cord injuries

Injuries to the lower back most commonly result in loss of function in the legs and lower body. These are usually less likely to affect breathing or movement in your arms, but individuals may need mobility aids and ongoing care for long-term management.

Sacral spinal cord injuries

Damage lowest in the back, in the sacrum area right above the tailbone, might affect hip movement, pelvic organs, and the legs. Many sacral injuries cause struggles with walking, sex function, and control over bowel or bladder movements, but upper body strength often remains.

What types of damages can I recover in a spinal cord injury lawsuit?

Recovering from a spinal cord injury often requires more support than most people expect. When someone else’s carelessness is to blame, Mississippi law allows you to seek compensation for far more than just emergency medical treatment. Knowing what financial and personal damages you can claim from your lawsuit helps ensure that you don’t settle for less than what you actually need in order to rebuild your life.  Here's what you may be able to obtain:

Economic damages - out-of-pocket costs

Many losses after a spinal cord injury involve expenses you’ve already paid or will pay in years to come. Damages you might recover include:

 

  • Emergency treatment Initial surgeries
  • Follow up visits
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Medical equipment such as wheelchairs, lifts, and ramps
  • Modifications to make your home wheelchair accessible
  • Wages lost from missing work or limits on your ability to earn afterwards
  • Transportation or vehicle modifications
  • Anticipated costs for future treatment, rehabilitation, or possible complications

Non-economic damages

Money alone cannot measure the true hardship of a life-changing injury. For this reason, a spinal cord injury claim lets you seek additional compensation for the challenges and losses that don't come with receipts. This could include:

  • Physical discomfort, painful procedures, or permanent mobility limitations
  • Ongoing stress, depression, or emotional struggles tied to the loss
  • Not being able to take part in old hobbies or family routines
  • A decreased ability to enjoy daily life or connect with loved ones
  • Loss of independence

Punitive damages

When you’re able to show by clear and convincing evidence that the harm you experienced is caused by fraud, malice, gross negligence, or a wanton disregard for your safety, Mississippi law may allow you to collect punitive damages. These are awarded primarily to punish the defendant and stop them and others from engaging in similar behavior in the future.

Obtaining the highest amount of damages possible gives you a chance to rebuild your life and provide much-needed financial security as you recover.

Why hire a Meridian spinal cord injury attorney?

Dealing with a spinal cord injury is life changing, no matter what the severity is. In some cases, you may have a legal claim and be able to obtain compensation as a result. A lawyer can help you in many ways, including:

In-depth knowledge of spinal cord injury damages

An attorney who has experience handling spinal cord injury cases knows what you’re going through. They understand how severe these injuries are and the extent of your losses. This means they can fight for what you truly need.

Network of medical experts

Spinal injuries often require complex medical opinions to connect the situation, your ongoing treatment, and your long-term outlook. An experienced lawyer draws on networks of medical and rehabilitation experts, people who are respected by both courts and insurance companies, to explain the situation in a way that supports your case.

Building the strongest possible case

Beyond just gathering paperwork, a spinal cord injury lawyer builds a full picture of how your life has changed. This can include economist reports about lost wages, testimony from friends and family about how your life has changed, and a clear presentation of evidence that shows someone else caused your injuries.

Having a lawyer help you deal with one of the most difficult moments of your life is always a good idea. They can focus on the legal claim while you focus on recovering.

Do you have a Meridian spinal cord injury lawyer near me?

Yes. Merkel & Cocke, P.A. meets with clients at our office located at 2121 5th Street, Suite 205, Meridian MS 39301. Call us to schedule a meeting with one of our injury attorneys. We can schedule phone consultations and video conferences as well.

Call our skilled Meridian spinal cord injury attorneys today

There’s no amount of money we can win on your behalf to undo your injuries. However, you shouldn’t have to face recovery alone and worry about finances. When you work with our experienced team, we can help determine if you have a valid claim, and look at every single injury and loss you’ve experienced and try to help you recover appropriate compensation. We want to make this experience as easy as possible for you.

Call us to speak with our team today or complete the form on our website to get your free consultation scheduled.