Spinal Injury Lawyer in Greenville

If your life has been turned upside down by an accident in Greenville, SC, consider enlisting the help of a Greenville spinal injury lawyer. You can rely on the attorneys at HawkLaw, P.A. to provide you with staunch legal representation and handle your case with compassion.

What Is a Spinal Injury?

As the name suggests, spinal injuries are caused by trauma to the spine and spinal cord, a part of the body responsible for transmitting signals to and from the brain to control various bodily functions. Spinal cord injuries interfere with these signals, specifically below the point of injury, and are typically divided into two classes: complete and incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury results in a total loss of motor and sensory function below the site of the injury, whereas an incomplete spinal cord injury results in partial loss of function, where one might retain some sensation and movement. Both complete and non-complete injuries can be life-altering.

If you suspect that someone has a spinal injury after an accident, call 911 immediately and do not move the person, as movement can worsen the injury. Common symptoms of spinal injuries are pain, numbness, weakness, loss of sensation in the limbs, difficulty walking, or issues with bladder control. Recognizing these signs is essential for prompt treatment and recovery.

Types of Spinal Injury

In addition to being classified as complete or incomplete, spinal injuries have different injury levels. These include cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral injuries, which refer to different areas of the body:

• Cervical Injuries: These impact the neck region and can lead to quadriplegia, which is paralysis of the body below the neck and affects all four limbs and the trunk of the body.
• Thoracic Injuries: These injuries involve the upper back and will often result in paraplegia, which means the lower body is impacted, but the arms maintain functionality.
• Lumbar Injuries: Lumbar injuries impact the lower back and often lead to some degree of leg function loss. They also affect bladder and bowel control.
• Sacral Injuries: These injuries affect the pelvic region, hip function, and lower limbs but may still allow some leg movement.

What Are the Common Causes of Spinal Injuries in Greenville, South Carolina?

Car crashes and falls are some of the most common causes of spinal injuries in Greenville. Certain roads and intersections in Greenville are known to be particularly dangerous, and 41% of all injury and fatal crashes in the city occur on less than 5% of all miles of roadway. Even when on foot and in seemingly safe areas, wet floors, broken floorboards, poor lighting, carpets, and debris can cause slip and falls that lead to serious injuries.

Can I Seek Compensation for My Spinal Injury?

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can seek compensation from the responsible party if you are not responsible for more than 50% of the incident. If you meet that criteria, you may be compensated for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, rehabilitation, and other costs resulting from your injuries.

It is worth noting that if you are found to be partially at fault, the amount you can seek in damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 25% responsible, your damages would be reduced by 25%.

How Much Is a Spinal Injury Lawsuit Worth?

Many factors go into determining the value of a spinal cord injury verdict. These include the impact on daily life, lost wages, pain and suffering, future care needs, and lost wages.

• Medical Costs: These include hospital bills, ongoing rehabilitation, and specialized equipment like wheelchairs.
• Impact on Daily Life: A spinal injury can severely reduce one’s ability to live a normal life and enjoy activities they once did.
• Lost Wages: Spinal injuries can result in significant, unpaid time away from work.
• Lost Earning Capacity: In some cases, spinal injuries limit the types of work a person can perform, or prevent them from working at all.
• Pain and Suffering: Although pain and suffering is difficult to measure, it is often a crucial consideration in an injury case.
• Punitive Damages: Though rare, in cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm, additional damages may be awarded.

Should I Accept a Settlement By an Insurance Company?

You should always consult an attorney before accepting a settlement from an insurance company. Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts and settle quickly. A quick settlement might seem appealing but it is likely to be insufficient to cover your losses.

A Greenville spinal injury lawyer from HawkLaw P.A. can negotiats with the insurance company on your behalf and understands how to protect your rights while working to recover the maximum compensation you are entitled to receive.

How Can a Greenville Spinal Injury Lawyer Help Prove Negligence?

The first step a lawyer must take to prove negligence in a spinal injury case is to prove that the at-fault party had a duty to act responsibly. For example, a driver has an implicit duty to follow the rules of the road. If they fail to do so and crash into another vehicle, causing another driver to sustain a spinal injury, they may be at fault. A lawyer must then prove that the driver breached that duty, for instance by speeding or drinking while driving, that the breach resulted in the injury, and that damages were suffered as a result.

Proving negligence is often a complex task that involves gathering extensive evidence, like witness statements, accident reports, and expert testimony. A spinal injury lawyer knows what evidence to look for and how to present it in a way that gives you the greatest chance of recovering compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Injury Lawsuit in Greenville, SC?

In South Carolina, the statute of limitations is three years from the date you realize you have an injury. This is one reason to seek a spinal injury lawyer quickly. Time is of the essence when it comes to gathering evidence and talking to witnesses. It is crucial that evidence is preserved and that your claim is filed within the allotted timeframe to maximize your chances of success. If the injury is not discovered immediately, the statute of limitations starts when the injury is first diagnosed. For example, if your back pain started years after an accident and was only recently diagnosed, that diagnosis would start the statute of limitations.

Do You Have a Spinal Injury Lawyer Near Me?

Our Greenville office is located at 3 Caledon Ct # A5. We’re right off Pelham Road. There’s a middle turning lane in front of the entrance so it doesn’t matter which way you’re traveling; you can turn right in. The Social Security Administration building is just to our north, and the self-storage is to the south. There’s plenty of onsite parking and multiple bus stops nearby so you have travel options.

Do You Have a Spinal Injury Due to Someone Else’s Negligence? Contact HawkLaw For Help

In Greenville County and throughout South Carolina, HawkLaw has made a name for itself as a committed, aggressive, and hard-hitting legal firm with highly experienced spinal injury lawyers. Over the years, we’ve won six- and seven-figure settlements and jury verdicts for our clients.* We understand the immense impact a serious injury such as damage to the spine can have on individuals and families. We never back down from a fight because we believe our clients shouldn’t have to pay for other people’s acts of negligence. Our testimonials are testaments to our dedication and success.

Past clients praise HawkLaw for obtaining excellent settlements, helping them feel less alone, being kind and supportive, and resolving claims in a timely manner.* We have what it takes to help you after a spinal cord injury. Come to our Greenville, South Carolina office for a complimentary consultation* on how we may be able to brighten your future. You deserve to talk to lawyers who care about you. Contact us today.