When Should You Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer After an Accident?

A spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating outcomes of any accident. They often result in permanent changes in mobility, sensation, and bodily function. If you or someone in your family is facing this traumatic situation, you need to know when to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer.

The days immediately following a spinal cord injury are filled with medical tests and emotional hardship. While it is easy to feel overwhelmed, this is precisely when the foundation for a legal claim should be established.

Securing representation early allows an experienced Denver spinal cord injury attorney to preserve critical evidence and manage communications with insurance companies. Meanwhile, you and your family can focus on getting medical care.

In many cases, the financial burden of a spinal cord injury can reach millions of dollars over a lifetime. This makes it essential to pursue full and fair compensation.

To speak with the spinal cord injury attorneys at Burg Simpson, call us today at 303-792-5595 for a FREE and confidential case evaluation. Our team of experienced lawyers is proud to represent accident victims in Denver and across Colorado.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury consists of damage to any part of the spinal cord or the bundle of nerves at the end of the spinal cord (cauda equina). The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that these injuries often result in a permanent loss of function below the site of trauma.

Injuries are categorized into two primary types:

• Complete: The spinal cord is unable to send signals below the level of the injury, resulting in a total loss of motor and sensory function.
• Incomplete: Some sensory or motor function remains below the affected area, allowing for some degree of movement and feeling.

The location of the injury – whether in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions – determines the extent of paralysis and the specific bodily systems impacted.

Possible Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury

Sometimes, the symptoms of a spinal cord injury are immediate. These may include:

• Extreme back pain
• Pressure in the neck or head
• Inability to move the extremities
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Difficulty breathing or coughing

Other times, however, symptoms may not be immediately apparent. Instead, they may arise or get worse over time. Potential examples include:

• Tingling in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes
• Increased swelling around the spine
• Gradual muscle weakness

Regardless of the exact symptoms, anyone who has suffered significant trauma to the head or neck should receive immediate medical evaluation. Delayed treatment can lead to permanent damage, potentially including paralysis.

Delaying medical treatment can also make it harder to establish the connection between the accident and your injuries. This can make recovering compensation more difficult. Knowing when to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer is key because an attorney can help you protect your rights.

What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries?

According to National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center data, the most common causes of injury to the spinal cord are:

• Motor vehicle accidents – 36.88%
• Falls – 33.07%
• Violence – 14.87%
• Sports – 7.46%
• Medical/surgical – 3.67%
• Other – 4.05%

In Colorado, recreational activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking contribute to the number of spinal cord injuries we see. However, automotive accidents are by far the most common cause of these injuries in the state. This includes collisions with semi-trucks, which pose a greater risk of spinal injury due to the forces involved.

When to Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Colorado

You should hire a lawyer as soon as a spinal cord injury is suspected. This increases the chances that the at-fault party is held accountable before evidence is lost or destroyed.

Spinal cord cases usually involve complex medical testimony and long-term care planning. You need a law firm with the knowledge and resources to engage with top-tier medical experts who can establish the severity of your injuries and the damages you are due.

Unfortunately, insurance companies will often do whatever they can to settle these claims quickly and for much less than they are worth. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer will help to ensure that all expenses, including future costs such as home modifications and long-term nursing care, are included in the demand.

We also want to make sure that victims and their families are fairly compensated for the non-economic damages they endure, including:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• And more

Finally, it is critical to take work- and career-related losses into account. This may include both lost wages and loss of earning capacity.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Claims in Colorado?

The statute of limitations for injuries resulting from a vehicle accident is three years from the date of the crash.

If the injury was caused by general negligence, such as a slip and fall or defective product, then the filing deadline will instead be two years.

For claims against a government entity, a formal notice needs to be filed within 182 days.

Other exceptions may apply if:

• The accident victim is a minor
• A driver flees the scene of an accident
• The injuries were not immediately apparent

Regardless of any potential exceptions, our recommendation is always to err on the side of caution and seek legal counsel as soon as possible.

Find Out When to Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer & How Burg Simpson Can Help

If you have questions about filing a spinal cord injury lawsuit and how an attorney can help, your best option is to speak with a qualified legal professional about your situation. Burg Simpson will meet with you for FREE to discuss your case.

Our firm supports spinal cord accident victims through a combination of national strength and local clout. We have the experience and resources to take on major corporations and insurance carriers while navigating the Denver and Colorado court systems.

We have a proven track record of success, recovering more than $2 billion for our clients. This includes substantial verdicts and settlements for those with catastrophic spinal cord injuries.

Our team understands that these injuries can affect the entire family. You and your loved ones will receive personable, kind, and professional support throughout the litigation process. We want you to focus on rehabilitation and medical milestones while we handle your claim.

Contact Burg Simpson Today

Not sure when to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer? There is no time like the present to preserve your right to compensation and begin preparing your claim.

Our Denver spinal cord injury attorneys are prepared to investigate your case and fight for the maximum compensation available under the law. We identify all liable parties and communicate with insurance companies on your behalf. If the insurer will not compensate you fairly, we do not hesitate to go to trial.

We are committed to making this process as easy as possible for you. There is no cost to get started because Burg Simpson operates on a contingency-fee basis for personal injury claims. You only have to pay if we win compensation on your behalf.

Call 303-792-5595 today for a FREE case evaluation. Burg Simpson serves clients with spinal cord injuries in the Denver metro area and communities throughout Colorado from our office in Englewood.