Indianapolis Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Severe spinal injuries can cause paralysis, with devastating consequences for victims and their families. If you or a loved one has suffered spinal injuries in an accident that was someone else’s fault, contact an Indianapolis spinal cord injury lawyer today. Injury attorney Merry Fountain will do whatever is necessary to hold responsible parties accountable and fight for the compensation you need.

Who Is Liable for a Spinal Cord Injury?

Someone else may be liable for your spinal injuries if that party’s negligence caused your accident or injuries. For example, if your injuries were sustained in a motor vehicle accident caused by a distracted or alcohol-impaired driver, you may have a claim for damages against the at-fault driver. If you were hurt because of a dangerous condition on someone else’s property, the owner of the property may be liable for your injuries. We can thoroughly investigate your accident to determine the cause and identify liable parties.

What Damages Can Be Claimed for Spinal Injury?

Damages associated with a spinal cord injury can be significant. They may include:

  • Extensive past and future medical expenses
  • Lost earnings
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Rehabilitation
  • Equipment and assistive devices
  • Home and vehicle modifications
  • Household assistance
  • Home health care
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Why Choose Fountain Law Firm, P.C.?

  • As an accident victim herself and an experienced injury lawyer, Merry Fountain understands the value of spinal injury cases and how important financial recovery is to moving forward.
  • We are dedicated to maintaining close communication with our clients. We will return your calls and emails in a timely manner.
  • Our lead injury attorney, Merry Fountain, will handle your case from start to finish. Unlike with large “mill” personal injury firms, we only accept a select number and types of cases, so your attorney is always available to you.

Types of Spinal Injuries

Damage to the spinal cord or the nerves at the end of the spinal canal can cause permanent loss of strength, function, or sensation below the site of the injury. The ability to control movement after spinal cord injury depends on the location of the injury on the spinal cord and the severity of the injury.

Neurological Level of a Spinal Injury

The lowest normal part of the spinal cord is called the neurological level of the injury. Depending on where the injury is located, paralysis resulting from spinal injuries may be:

  • Tetraplegia (or Quadriplegia): The arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs are affected by paralysis.
  • Paraplegia: Paralysis resulting from spinal cord injury affects all or part of the trunk, the pelvic organs, and the legs.

Severity of the Injury

The severity of spinal cord injury is often referred to as “completeness.”

  • Incomplete spinal cord injury: There is some motor or sensory function remaining below the level of the injury. Incompleteness varies in degree.
  • Complete spinal cord injury: All sensation and motor function are lost below the spinal cord injury.

Why You Need an Indianapolis Spinal Injury Attorney

Spinal injury claims tend to be high-stakes cases with extensive damages. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers to fight your claim to minimize their payout. You need an experienced personal injury attorney near you that’s by your side to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. At Fountain Law Firm, P.C. in Indianapolis, we are as tough as we need to be to satisfactorily resolve your case. You don’t pay us anything until you receive your settlement.

Common Causes of Spinal Injuries

The top four causes of spinal injuries are car accidents, falls, acts of violence, and accidents during sports and recreational activities. Furthermore, alcohol is also a factor in about one-fourth of spinal injury accidents. If you have been involved in any of these accidents or events, you should be aware of whether you are showing any signs of spinal injuries. Immediate medical attention can limit the symptoms of spinal injuries, and possibly keep the injuries from affecting your life in such a significant way. Furthermore, if you have been diagnosed with a spinal injury, you should also consult with a spinal cord injury lawyer to see if you can receive medical compensation for your injury.

Common Signs of a Spine Injury

If you have been in an accident, signs of a spinal injury can include:

  • Numbness, loss of sensation, or tingling in your fingers, hands, toes or feet
  • Difficult or strained breathing
  • Pain or pressure in your back, neck, or head
  • Paralysis, weakness, or lack of coordination in any body part
  • Loss of control over your bladder or bowels

These are only some signs of a serious spinal injury, and sometimes there are little signs of any injury at all. If a spinal injury goes undiagnosed or untreated, more serious injury could occur due to swelling, inflammation, fluid accumulation, or internal bleeding, and rehabilitation and recovery could increase significantly. Therefore, even if you do not notice any immediate signs of injury, you should seek medical attention after any accident to ensure that your spine has not been damaged.

Possible Symptoms of Spinal Injuries

The reason that you should be checked out by a medical professional immediately is that spinal injuries can have severe symptoms. A thoracic (chest) or lumbar (lower back) injury can cause numbness, weakness, or paralysis in your legs and torso, and can negatively impact or completely disable your sexual function or bladder and bowel control. Cervical (neck) damage can inhibit your ability to breath or move your arms.

Working with an Indianapolis Spinal Injury Attorney Near You

As you can imagine, any of these symptoms can gravely affect your ability to work, complete everyday tasks, and enjoy your life. Additionally, you may require constant care if your injury leaves you paralyzed or otherwise permanently disabled. If your spinal cord injury has been caused by an accident that was someone else’s fault, you should not hesitate to call us at 888-242-HURT (4878) for a free, immediate consultation with our spinal injury lawyer.