South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can have devastating impacts on those who were injured and their loved ones. Unfortunately, these injuries are often irreversible. Not only can these injuries lead to life-long physical burdens, but mental pain and anguish as well.

Whether you yourself were injured or you are helping a loved one recover, we’re here to seamlessly guide you through the legal process so you can focus on what matters most: healing. We are dedicated to ensuring that you get the justice and compensation you deserve for the best future possible, and we won’t settle for less. For a free case evaluation directly with a reputable South Carolina spinal cord injury attorney, contact our office today by calling (803) 888-2200 or completing our quick and secure online form. For your convenience, we are available for you via phone 24/7.

Choosing The Right Spinal Cord Injury Attorney For Your Case Matters

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you need a team on your side who understands these types of injuries, the treatment plans, and the long-term effects they can have. With decades of combined experience handling these types of injuries and extensive training, our attorneys are equipped and ready to help. We will work with you and fully optimize your claim to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for all past, present, and future related damages.

We believe in client-attorney relationships and take the time to genuinely get to know you, invest in your case, and ensure that you are taken care of and updated every step of the way throughout your case and beyond. Let us aggressively fight the legal battle for you. To get started towards a brighter future ahead, please call our office at (803) 888-2200 for a free case evaluation during which we will listen to your story and explain your options under South Carolina law.

Causes of Back and Spinal Cord Injuries in South Carolina

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, motor vehicle accidents and serious falls are the most common causes of SCI throughout the United States. Motor vehicle accidents can include truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrians hit by motor vehicle accidents.

Following motor vehicle crashes and serious falls, other common causes of back and SCI include:

Violent acts, primarily gunshot wounds and assault
Sport injuries
Medical malpractice
Industrial accidents
Diseases
And More.

No matter the cause of your injury, it is in your best interest to speak with a lawyer to understand your options under South Carolina law and protect your rights.

Radiologist analyzing X-ray image with human spine in consulting room

Understanding If You Have a Legal Case After a Back or Spinal Cord Injury

South Carolina runs on a fault-based system, meaning that you may qualify to receive compensation as long as you are found to be no more than 50% at-fault for the accident that resulted in injury. This is one of the many reasons that hiring an experienced injury attorney is critical for your case. Our lawyers will gather all evidence needed to prove fault in the accident, pursuant to state law.

For more information based on the specifics of your case, please call our office today to speak directly with an award-winning South Carolina personal injury lawyer.

Determining Fault in South Carolina SCI Cases

Based on decades of combined experience, it is our experience that many different parties can be found at-fault for an accident, and sometimes multiple parties share fault for an accident. At-fault parties may include:

Vehicle Drivers
Construction Companies
Property Owners
Contractors
Roadway Designers
Healthcare Providers
Equipment Manufacturers
Product Manufacturers
And more.

Proving Fault in South Carolina Back and Spinal Cord Injury Cases

In order to prove who was at-fault for the accident and therefore the resulting damages, our attorneys will prove negligence. This is done by optimizing your claim to prove that:

The at-fault party owed you a duty of care
The at-fault party breached that duty of care
The breach directly caused the accident and your injuries.

While this concept may seem simple, it’s a complex process that must be done correctly or you risk losing your case. Without a lawyer on your side, it is extremely difficult to go up against insurance companies that are inclined to limit and even deny your claim.

Compensation Recoverable for a Spinal Cord Injury

According to research by the NSCISC, people with high tetraplegia (C1-C4) can expect to pay around $1,329,755 in healthcare costs and living expenses in the first year, and $237,862 each subsequent year. Patients who suffer from paraplegia can expect to pay $667,569 the first year and $54,298 every year after.

It’s important to note that these estimates do not include the costs for other damages that commonly accompany these injuries, such as time missed from work, reduced earning capacity, emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and more.

Our team will fight to ensure that you are adequately compensated for all physical, financial, and emotional damages associated with the accident and injury in order to best set you up for the future. This includes compensation for:

Past, Present, and Future Medical Bills
Emergency Room Visits
Paralysis Complication Costs: such as blood clots, infections, pressure sores, and more
Medical Equipment
In-Home Care Costs
Wheelchair Costs
Adaptive Technology Costs
Rehabilitation Costs: such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, vocational therapy, educational training, recreation therapy, and more.
Lost Income
Lost Earning Capacity
Loss of Consortium
Lost Quality of Life
Emotional Distress
Mental Health Counseling
Wrongful Death
And More.

While this list is a good starting point, it is important to speak directly with a lawyer to understand how much you may qualify for, the types of compensation available to you, and more based on the specifics of your case.

Get a Free Case Evaluation with Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC

After a spinal cord injury, the last thing you should be worried about is the legal process. Our lawyers have the experience and resources needed to fight for you inside and outside of the courtroom. Allow us to secure you with the best outcome possible for your future.

To speak directly with an award-winning South Carolina back and spinal cord injury attorney, call our office today at (803) 888-2200, email info@ctlawsc.com, or submit our quick and secure contact form and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.

For your convenience, our team offers free case evaluations directly with an attorney. In addition, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing until we win your case.

Client Focused. Results Driven. With hundreds of client testimonials, learn more about what it’s like working with Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Symptoms of a SCI?

Symptoms of a spinal cord injury vary based on which area of the spine was injured and the severity of the injury. Symptoms may include:

Loss of movement
Loss of sensations
Loss of bladder control
Loss of bowel control
Exaggerated reflexes
Spasms
Pain
Intense stinging sensation
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty coughing
Extreme pressure in the neck, head, or back
Weakness
Incoordination
Numbness
Tingling
Difficulty balancing
Paralysis

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms following an accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

What Are The Different Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?

There are two classifications of spinal cord injuries:

Complete Spinal Cord Injuries
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

Complete spinal cord injuries result in permanent damage to the area of the spinal cord that was injured. Typically, these injuries are irreparable and result in paraplegia, tetraplegia, and even loss of life.

Incomplete spinal cord injuries temporarily or partially affect the spinal cord. Typically, the brain and the spinal cord are still able to communicate with each other, resulting in partial sensations and the ability to perform certain movements.

What Are The Different Levels of Spinal Cord Injuries?

The spinal cord is divided into four regions. Where the injury occurs determines the severity of the injury and affected body parts.

Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries [C1 to C8] – Located at the top of the spinal cord and forming the neck, cervical spinal cord injuries are generally the most severe. These injuries may impact one or both sides of the body, and often result in paralysis, quadriplegia, or loss of life. Many times, people who survive these injuries are not able to breathe on their own and require some form of around the clock care and attention; however, some may still have motor and sensory functions, particularly if the injury impacted the lower-cervical nerves.

Treatment for these injuries typically include surgery, adequate pain relief, steroid injections, ongoing therapy, mental health counseling, and more.

Thoracic Spinal Cord Injuries [T1 to T12] – Thoracic spinal cord injuries affect the upper chest, mid-back, and abdominal areas. Typically resulting in paraplegia, most people will survive these injuries and still be able to use their arms, chest, and upper back.

Treatment may involve traction therapy, surgery, rehabilitation, counseling, and more.

Lumbar Spinal Cord Injuries [L1 to L5] – Located at the lower half of the spine, lumbar spinal cord injuries typically affect the hips and legs. While serious, lumbar injuries usually are not life-threatening. Many times, people who suffered from these injuries will use a wheelchair or walk with braces.

Treatment plans usually include surgery, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NDAIS), physical/occupational therapy, and more.

Sacral Spinal Cord Injuries [S1 to S5] – Located at the bottom of the spinal cord, sacral injuries tend to affect the hips, back of thighs, buttocks, and pelvic regions.

Treatment typically includes surgery, medication, strength-focused rehabilitation programs, and more.

What Are The Different Types of Paralysis?

Catastrophic spinal cord injuries can result in a few different forms of paralysis, including:

Paraplegia – Paralysis in the lower half of the body.
Diplegia – Paralysis of the same area on both sides of the body, such as both legs, both arms, both sides of the face
Hemiplegia – Paralysis on one side of the body affecting multiple limbs
Monoplegia – Paralysis of one limb

How Much Will a Lawyer Cost Me?

With Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC, there are no upfront costs or fees to hire our law firm. Our team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning our law firm earns a percentage of the total compensation secured on your behalf at the end of your case. If for some reason there is no recovery made on your behalf, then you owe our team nothing.

Schedule your complimentary case evaluation with our team today by calling (803) 888-2200.