Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Lafayette

Have you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in Lafayette, LA? Is someone else to blame for what happened? These devastating injuries can bring unmanageable and unbearable physical and emotional strain. You could be facing hefty medical bills, ongoing care needs, lost income from time away from work, or even the possibility of never working again.

You should not have to carry the weight of someone else’s careless or wrongful behavior, and a personal injury lawyer from The Thibeaux Firm can help you demand they compensate you for what they’ve cost you. We want to secure you the money you need for your present and future medical care, your lost income and reduced earning potential, and the pain and suffering you’ve endured. As home to “The 25% Attorney,” our flat and fair 25 percent fee for winning cases brings immense value to accident victims who need all the money they can get for healing.

Contact us today for an initial spine injury case review to learn what Attorney Omar Thibeaux can do for you. Consultations are free and without obligation, and we charge no money to get started on your case.

How a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Lafayette Can Help with Your Case

Let a Lafayette spinal cord injury lawyer help you recover the financial resources you need to put your life back together after a devastating accident by:

• Recovering evidence from the accident that caused your spinal cord injury to determine what happened and who is to blame
• Documenting your injuries and losses to determine what a fair financial recovery looks like in your case
• Filing your claims and negotiating with the insurance adjusters and defense lawyers on your behalf
• Pursuing maximum financial recovery for you, whether through a negotiated settlement or by fighting your case in court and at trial as necessary

When you need a committed, compassionate, and affordable spinal cord injury lawyer, you get just that in “The 25% Attorney.” With The Thibeaux Firm, we charge a flat 25 percent contingency fee if Attorney Thibeaux recovers compensation for you — much less than the industry standard 33 to 40 percent. You owe nothing upfront to hire reputable and effective legal representation, and you’ll get more money in your pocket if we win your case.

What Compensation Can I Pursue for a Spinal Cord Injury?

Have you or a loved one suffered a herniated disk, back injury, or spinal cord damage? If someone else was to blame, you may have the right to pursue financial recovery for your related losses. Spine injury compensation can provide you with financial resources for your:

What Is the Average Settlement for a Back Injury from a Car Accident?

Every spinal cord injury patient experiences different recovery periods and complications, which means every spine injury claim will lead to a unique settlement. As such, there is no average settlement for a car accident back injury that would help you understand what your claim is worth. Instead, your recovery will depend on factors such as:

• The type and severity of the injury
• The duration of your medical treatment and rehabilitation
• The degree of permanent disability you suffer
• Whether you require long-term care such as home health services or home renovations
• Whether your disabilities prevent you from returning to your job or the workforce

How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit in Louisiana?

Under the statute of limitations in Louisiana, you typically have one year from the date of injury to file a spine injury lawsuit. This is a very short window for pursuing compensation for your spinal injury, which is why it’s crucial to contact a spinal cord injury law firm as soon as possible after an accident to effectively pursue your claim.

What Are Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?

A spinal cord injury lawyer in Lafayette can help you seek compensation and justice after suffering a back or neck injury in accidents such as:

What Are the Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?

Spinal cord injuries come in two types:

• An incomplete spinal cord injury means the spinal cord has partially severed. A person who sustains an incomplete spinal cord injury may retain some feeling and function below the level of the injury.
• A complete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord entirely severs, cutting off all signals between the brain and the areas of the body below the level of the injury.

Doctors also classify spinal cord injuries based on their location on the spinal column, which can determine what parts of the body the injury may affect:

• Lumbar spinal cord injuries occur in the lumbar spine, the lowest region of the spinal column. They can affect the legs and pelvis, although people who suffer injuries in the lower part of the lumbar spine may retain some mobility.
• Thoracic spinal cord injuries happen in the thoracic spine, the middle region of the spinal column. Injuries in the thoracic region can affect the lower torso, abdomen, and lower chest.
• Cervical spinal cord injuries take place in the cervical region, the top part of the spinal column located in the head, neck, and shoulders. Cervical injuries can affect the entire body from the shoulders down and, in some cases, can prove fatal.

What Are the Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?

Immediate symptoms that may occur after sustaining a spinal cord injury in an accident include:

The following symptoms may manifest in the days after sustaining the spinal cord injury:

What Are Treatment Options for a Spinal Cord Injury?

Although doctors cannot reverse the damage caused by a spinal cord injury, treatments can minimize the extent of the injury and enable some accident victims to resume active, independent lives.

Immediately after an accident, spinal cord injury treatment focuses on:

• Immobilizing the head, neck, and back to prevent further injury
• Maintaining the person’s ability to breathe
• Preventing complications such as stool/urine retention or respiratory and cardiovascular issues

Injured victims may undergo surgery to repair fractured vertebrae, remove fragments and debris, or install hardware to prevent future deformity of the spine.

Once a patient’s condition stabilizes, treatment shifts to rehabilitation aimed at teaching them adaptations for disabilities and helping them manage health complications that paralysis may cause. Common long-term complications include problems with:

• Urinary and digestive tracts
• Respiratory function
• Cardiovascular health
• Physical fitness

Patients may also need to learn to use electric wheelchairs, computers, or electronic aids to help with daily tasks.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury?

Spinal cord injuries can cause various long-term health complications that accident victims must manage, often for the rest of their lives, such as:

• Changes to Bladder/Bowel Control – Spinal cord injuries can affect the brain’s ability to control and regulate bladder and bowel function, which may increase the risk of urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or stool impactions.
• Pressure Ulcers – Injuries can cause loss of sensations of touch or pain. Combined with a sedentary lifestyle caused by paralysis, spinal cord injury victims have an increased risk of developing pressure ulcers/bed sores. People with spinal cord injuries may need assistance regularly changing positions and performing skin care to prevent sores.
• Changes to Blood Circulations – Spinal cord injuries can cause sudden drops or rises in blood pressure. Patients may also have an increased risk of developing blood clots that can lead to complications like deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
• Respiratory Issues – Spinal cord injuries that affect the abdomen and chest may make it harder for a patient to breathe or cough, which can increase the risk of developing pneumonia or other respiratory diseases.
• Loss of Bone Density – Paralysis necessarily leads to a more sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to bone density loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis or bone fractures.
• Issues with Muscle Tone – Spinal cord injury victims often develop spasticity (a tightening or uncontrolled movement of muscle) or flaccidity (a loss of muscle tone).
• Difficulties Maintaining Fitness – Spinal cord injury victims forced to live a more sedentary lifestyle have a greater risk of becoming overweight or obese, which can cause chronic health problems like cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
• Chronic Pain – Nerve pain is a common consequence of incomplete spinal injuries. Overusing specific muscle groups can also lead to chronic soreness.
• Mental Health Changes – The consequences of a spinal cord injury can cause a patient to become depressed or develop anxiety issues.

Contact a Lafayette Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a spine injury in an accident caused by another party’s negligence or fault, get the legal assistance you need to demand fair compensation. A back injury lawyer with The Thibeaux Firm is to help. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Lafayette spinal cord injury attorney, and let’s discuss your case together.