If the brain is the body’s command center, the spinal cord acts as the dispatcher. In very simple terms, the spinal cord acts like a bridge, carrying the brain’s orders to the body so that we can move, sense, and react, among other functions. Because the spinal cord plays such a vital role in regulating our body’s tasks and abilities, when the spinal cord is damaged, the consequences can be devastating.
First, there are the physical consequences, which can range from paralysis to problems with blood pressure and temperature regulation. Then, there are the emotional consequences, as the victim of the injury struggles to adjust to his or her new physical limitations. Finally, there are the financial consequences, as the victim and his or her family cope with the hardship of massive and never-ending medical bills.
Dealing with this triple-pronged challenge is hard enough — but when the accident could have been avoided, and was caused by someone else’s careless, negligent, or reckless behavior, coping with the consequences can feel next to impossible. Fortunately, you and your loved ones do not have to cope with these terrible consequences in silence — The Reiff Law Firm can help you file a lawsuit, and obtain justice for the suffering you have wrongfully been forced to endure.
Why Choose a The Reiff Law Firm Chester County Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?
When you retain a spinal cord injury lawyer from The Reiff Law Firm, you will not be working with someone who is “fresh out of law school.” Our attorneys have been practicing personal injury litigation since 1979, and our highly successful legal team is armed with over 34 years of experience to help build and strengthen your case.
Not only are we experienced — we know how to achieve excellent results. Over our many decades serving the people of Pennsylvania, we have won multiple awards exceeding $1 million, and have collectively recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. We are proud members of the Million Dollar Advocates, which admits fewer than 1% of all attorneys in the United States, and have been named SuperLawyers since 2005.
When you work with an attorney from The Reiff Law Firm, you will be treated with compassion, care, and respect — and your case will be supported by decades of results-oriented legal experience.
What is Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal column is a stack of vertebrae. The spinal cord is a thick cable of critical nerves which run along the length of the spinal column, relaying important messages between organs, limbs, and the brain.
There are two basic types of spinal cord injury (SCI): traumatic, and non-traumatic. Traumatic SCI refers to SCI caused by physical trauma (e.g. a car accident, a sports injury), while non-traumatic SCI refers to SCI caused by an internal condition (e.g. cancer, an infection).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the top four causes of SCI are ranked as:
- Auto Accidents
- Falls
- Violence
- Sports Accidents
Auto accidents account for approximately half of all SCI (46%). Falls, including slip and fall accidents, account for roughly one fifth (22%), while acts of violence account for 16% and sporting accidents account for 12%.
Who is Liable for Spinal Cord Injury?
If your spinal cord injury was caused by another party’s reckless behavior, improper care, or failure to obey safety regulations, he or she may be held liable for causing physical, emotional, and financial damages.
For example, 22% of SCI is caused by an accident where the victim is hurt by a fall. If you have a slip and fall accident due to factors like negligent sidewalk maintenance, slippery surfaces, or damaged flooring, you may have a strong premises liability case against the property owner.
Auto accidents are another major cause of SCI. If your injury was caused by an auto accident involving reckless or impaired driving, the other motorist is liable for the damages.
SCI can negatively impact every aspect of your life. If your SCI is someone else’s fault, he or she may be liable for the suffering they have inflicted. To arrange for a 100% free and private evaluation with a Chester County spinal cord injury attorney from The Reiff Law Firm, call our law offices at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online today.
