Alberta Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Spinal cord injuries can be devastating and show multiple symptoms over time. Unfortunately, they are often downplayed by insurance companies.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your spinal cord injury case with an Assiff Law attorney today.
Our Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys fight for your rights after an accident.
In addition to immediate expenses, a spinal cord injury can present multiple hidden issues further along the road. We work with a well-established network of medical specialists who can help uncover any potential hidden issues your injuries may present in the future, so that we can account for them and make sure you get the compensation you deserve, so you can move forward with confidence and dignity.
Spinal cord injuries can result in various costs, including medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, and home modifications. Issues requiring further treatment may arise months or years after the injury
An Assiff Law injury lawyer will work with medical experts to determine the full extent of your injuries and associated costs. We can negotiate with insurance companies and pursue legal action to get you the compensation you deserve.
Alberta Spinal Cord Injuries & Info
Spinal cord accidents can have a significant impact on individuals and families in Alberta, Canada. They can result from a wide range of causes, including car accidents, falls, sports injuries, and medical conditions. According to the Rick Hansen Foundation, there are approximately 86,000 Canadians living with a spinal cord injury, with an estimated 4,300 new cases each year.
Common causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Accidents involving motor vehicles account for over 1/3 of all spinal cord injuries, while medical conditions account for less than 5%. The leading accidents that usually lead to a spinal cord injury, include:
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Concussions
- Sports Accidents
- Assault
Regardless of the cause, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect a spinal cord injury.
If you have been injured as a result of one of these accidents, contact an injury lawyer right away to ensure that you are aware and can account for the potential ramifications that your injury may present in the future.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are classified according to the location and severity of the injury. There are two main types of spinal cord injuries: complete and incomplete:
Complete Spinal Cord Injuries
A complete spinal cord injury occurs when there is a total loss of sensation and movement below the level of the injury. In other words, there is a complete loss of function in the affected area. Complete spinal cord injuries are often permanent and can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia, depending on the location of the injury.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
An incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when there is some level of sensation and movement below the level of the injury. Incomplete injuries can vary in severity and can affect different parts of the body. Some individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries are able to regain some or all of their previous level of function with rehabilitation and treatment.
Based on the location of the injury
There are also different levels of spinal cord injury, depending on the location of the injury along the spinal cord. The spinal cord is divided into four sections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. The cervical section is at the top of the spinal cord, while the sacral section is at the bottom. Injuries to the cervical section of the spinal cord can result in quadriplegia, while injuries to the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral sections can result in paraplegia.
If you or someone you know has suffered a brain injury due to the fault of another party, consult with an Assiff Law personal injury lawyer to discuss legal options.
Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can cause a range of symptoms, depending on the severity and location of the injury. Some of the most common symptoms of spinal cord injuries include:
Loss of sensation
Spinal cord injuries can cause a loss of sensation in the affected area of the body, ranging from mild to complete.
Loss of movement
Spinal cord injuries can cause a loss of movement in the affected area of the body. This can range from partial to complete paralysis.
Pain
Spinal cord injuries can cause chronic pain, including neuropathic pain, which is caused by damage to the nervous system.
Respiratory problems
Spinal cord injuries that occur at or above the level of the chest can affect breathing, leading to respiratory problems.
Bowel and bladder problems
Spinal cord injuries can affect bowel and bladder function, leading to incontinence or difficulty with bowel movements.
Sexual dysfunction
Spinal cord injuries can affect sexual function, including loss of libido, difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, and difficulty with orgasm.
It’s important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect a spinal cord injury, as early intervention can make a significant difference in the outcome of the injury.
It’s also important to seek the support of experienced injury attorneys who can help you obtain the compensation needed to cope with the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that come with a spinal cord injury.
Spinal Cord Injury FAQ
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?
In Alberta, individuals generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim. However, there are some exceptions, so it’s important to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Can I still file a personal injury claim if I was partially at fault for the accident that caused my spinal cord injury?
Yes, in Alberta, individuals can still file a personal injury claim even if they were partially at fault for the accident. However, the amount of compensation they receive may be reduced by their percentage of fault.
What if the person responsible for my spinal cord injury doesn't have insurance or the insurance policy is not enough to cover my expenses?
In some cases, individuals may be able to recover compensation through their own insurance policies or through other sources, such as government programs or the person responsible for the injury directly.
How can a personal injury lawyer help me with my spinal cord injury case?
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help individuals with spinal cord injuries by providing legal advice and guidance, negotiating with insurance companies and other parties, and pursuing legal action if necessary. They can also help individuals understand their rights and options and connect them with other resources and support networks.
Personal Injury Process
What Should I expect?
When you call Assiff Law injury lawyers, we immediately work on recovering compensation for your injuries.
Consult with an Edmonton Injury Lawyer
The first step is to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer near you.
Our lawyers will review the details of your situation and your understanding of events — your side of the story — so we can determine whether there is any basis for a lawsuit. Then, once you’re ready to move forward, we’ll help you develop a strategy for pursuing compensation.
If we take your case, the process may look something like this:
Gather Evidence
A thorough investigation is the foundation of every case we take on. We use police reports, medical reports, and eyewitnesses’ statements to get to the bottom of things.
Send a Demand Letter
We’ll write a demand letter to the individual responsible for the accident, and their insurance company. We consider the entire financial impact of the situation, including provisions for future medical bills, lost wages, and other related costs.
File a personal injury lawsuit
When an insurance company refuses to offer an acceptable settlement, we gain leverage by filing a lawsuit on your behalf. In addition, filing a lawsuit will provide us access to additional information from the defendants that we otherwise wouldn’t have access to.
Discovery
After filing the suit, we can ask defendants for information that they might have been hesitant to provide. We can use these requests for admissions, interrogatories, and requests for production of documents to learn what evidence they have to support their claims.
Mediation
Once both parties have looked at the facts of the situation, we can schedule a mediation to help resolve the dispute. This gives us the chance to present our side of the story to the defendant’s attorney, and negotiate a fair resolution.
Settlement
If we’re able to reach an agreement prior to the start of the lawsuit, then we’ve reached a settlement. A settlement should take into account all past and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc., and will be paid out in one lump sum in return for you dropping the case.
Personal Injury Trial
If we are unable to settle for a fair amount, we go to trial. During the trial we present your case, employing the evidence we uncovered during discovery and present any expert testimony.
Appeal
What if the jury finds against you? If some sort of legal mistake was made by the defense team or the judge, we might choose to appeal. We would likely have to provide additional evidence and legal arguments in support of our position. If we were successful, the judge could overturn the previous ruling, or require another round of trials.
When you're hurting, We care.
We care. We understand, with our years of experience, what victims of accidents go through—from the obvious physical injuries to the impact they have on your day-to-day life, your job, your family and your overall well-being.
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The acknowledgement of our Edmonton personal injury lawyers have earned us multiple awards for the work we’ve done for thousands of clients. Best Lawyers, Canadian Lawyer Magazine and Consumers Choice have all awarded us for excellence in the field of personal injury law.
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