Suffering a spinal cord injury can bring overwhelming physical, emotional, and financial challenges. If you or a loved one has experienced such an injury in Western New York, a Buffalo spinal cord injury lawyer can be your strongest ally in seeking justice and compensation.
At William Mattar Law Offices, our experienced team understands the complexities of spinal cord injury cases and the profound impact these injuries can have on every aspect of your life.
Table of contents
- Why Choose William Mattar Law Offices for Your Buffalo Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
- Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
- Am I Eligible for Compensation in a Spinal Cord Injury Case?
- What if I'm Partly at Fault for My Accident Injuries?
- What Damages Are Available to Buffalo Spinal Cord Injury Victims?
- How Can a Lawyer Help with My Buffalo Spinal Cord Injury Case?
- Buffalo Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer FAQs
- How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Buffalo?
- Can I still pursue a claim if my spinal cord injury occurred at work?
- What if the person who caused my spinal cord injury doesn't have insurance?
- How are spinal cord injury cases different from other personal injury claims?
- What if my spinal cord injury symptoms worsen over time?
- Contact the Buffalo Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers at William Mattar Law Offices Today
Why Choose William Mattar Law Offices for Your Buffalo Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
When you're dealing with the life-altering consequences of a spinal cord injury, choosing the right legal representation is crucial. William Mattar Law Offices combines extensive experience in handling complex personal injury cases with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by spinal cord injury survivors.
We are committed to providing each client with personalized, compassionate representation. We recognize that each spinal cord injury case is unique and tailor our approach to meet your specific needs and goals.
Our team of experienced attorneys works tirelessly to build strong cases, using our resources to enlist a network of medical experts, life care planners, and economic specialists to fully demonstrate the impact of your injury and advocate for maximum compensation. We handle all aspects of your bodily injury case, from investigation and negotiation to litigation if necessary, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
At William Mattar Law Offices, we're your advocates and supporters throughout a challenging journey. We offer a no-fee guarantee, meaning you don't pay an attorney’s fee unless you receive a recovery for pain and suffering.
Our track record of successful settlements and verdicts, combined with our dedication to client satisfaction, makes us a trusted choice for spinal cord injury victims seeking maximum compensation. Choose William Mattar Law Offices, and let us put our experience, resources, and commitment to work for you.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is a vital part of the central nervous system, transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. When the spinal cord is damaged, it can result in partial or complete loss of motor control and sensation below the injury site.
Spinal cord injuries are typically classified as:
- Complete: Total loss of sensation and motor function below the injury level
- Incomplete: Some sensation or motor function remains below the injury level
The severity and location of a spinal cord injury determine its impact on a person's life. Common effects include:
- Paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia)
- Loss of sensation
- Chronic pain
- Respiratory difficulties
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction
- Sexual dysfunction
- Increased risk of secondary medical complications
If the negligence of another person caused your spinal cord injury, you may recover compensation for your medical bills and other losses.
Am I Eligible for Compensation in a Spinal Cord Injury Case?
The key factor in determining whether you have a spinal cord injury case is usually the concept of negligence. In essence, negligence occurs when someone fails to exercise reasonable care and harms another person.
To have a successful spinal cord injury case, you must typically establish four key elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care: The defendant (the person or entity you're making a claim against) had a legal obligation to act with reasonable care to prevent harm to others. For example, all drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws.
- Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to fulfill their duty of care. This could involve an action (like running a red light) or an omission (like failing to maintain safe conditions on a property).
- Causation: The defendant's breach of duty directly caused your spinal cord injury. There must be a clear link between their negligent action or inaction and your injury.
- Damages: You suffered actual harm or losses due to the injury. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other tangible or intangible damages.
Examples of potential spinal cord injury cases where negligence might be established include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Bus accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
Every case is unique, and determining negligence can be complex. That's why it's crucial to consult with an experienced spinal cord injury attorney who can evaluate the specifics of your situation.
What if I'm Partly at Fault for My Accident Injuries?
It's common for accident victims to worry that they may have contributed to their own injuries in some way. You might worry that partial fault could prevent you from seeking compensation.
In New York, however, you may still be able to recover damages even if you were partly responsible for the accident that caused your spinal cord injury. This is due to New York's comparative negligence rule.
This law states that you can still recover damages even if you bear partial fault for the accident that injured you. However, your compensation will decrease by the percentage of your fault.
Why Comparative Negligence Makes Legal Representation Crucial
The concept of comparative negligence underscores the importance of having skilled legal representation in your spinal cord injury case. Here's why:
- Minimizing Your Fault: An experienced attorney can gather evidence and present arguments to minimize the percentage of fault assigned to you, potentially increasing your compensation.
- Maximizing Damages: A lawyer can work to ensure that all your damages are fully accounted for, which is crucial since your compensation will be a percentage of the total damages.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters may try to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce their payout. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf to ensure a fair assessment.
- Presenting a Strong Case: If your case goes to trial, a lawyer can present a compelling case to the jury, potentially affecting how fault is apportioned.
Don't let concerns about partial fault deter you from seeking the compensation you need and deserve. Consult a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss the specifics of your case.
What Damages Are Available to Buffalo Spinal Cord Injury Victims?
Damages in spinal cord injury cases typically fall into two main categories: economic (or special) damages and non-economic (or general) damages. Here's a breakdown of what each category includes:
Economic Damages
These are quantifiable financial losses directly related to your injury. Notably, New York is a no-fault state, which means that certain lost wages and medical expenses should be paid by the applicable no-fault insurance carrier regardless of fault. These first-party no-fault benefits are, however, relatively limited and economic damages in excess of basic economic loss can be recovered in an action against the tortfeasor. These may include:
- Medical Expenses: Costs related to your treatment, including emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and medical equipment.
- Rehabilitation Costs: Expenses for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other rehabilitation services.
- Future Medical Care: Estimated costs of ongoing medical treatment and care you'll need in the future.
- Lost Wages: Income you've lost due to time away from work during recovery.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: Compensation for reduced ability to earn income in the future due to your injury.
- Home Modifications: Costs to make your residence accessible, such as installing ramps or modifying bathrooms.
- Adaptive Equipment: Expenses for wheelchairs, specialized vehicles, and other necessary adaptive devices.
- In-Home Care: Costs for professional caregivers or family members providing necessary care.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages compensate for intangible losses that don't have a specific dollar value. They may include:
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and discomfort resulting from your injury and ongoing treatment.
- Emotional Distress: Psychological impact of the injury, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed.
- Disfigurement or Permanent Disability: Compensation for permanent physical changes or disabilities resulting from your injury.
How Can a Lawyer Help with My Buffalo Spinal Cord Injury Case?
At William Mattar Law Offices, our experienced personal injury lawyers provide support for your spinal cord injury case:
- Case Evaluation and Strategy: We thoroughly assess your case, determine liability, and develop a tailored legal strategy.
- Legal Procedure Management: Our team handles paperwork, deadlines, and court proceedings, ensuring compliance with New York laws.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: We collect crucial evidence, interview witnesses, and work with experts to strengthen your case.
- Expert Coordination: We collaborate with medical professionals, life care planners, and economic experts to support your claim.
- Skilled Negotiation: Our attorneys negotiate with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Trial Representation: If needed, we're prepared to advocate for you in court with compelling arguments and evidence.
- Maximizing Compensation: We fight for full compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care costs.
- No Upfront Costs: We work on a contingency fee basis.
By choosing William Mattar Law Offices, you gain a dedicated legal team committed to navigating the complexities of your spinal cord injury claim. We strive to secure the compensation you need while allowing you to focus on your recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us put our experience to work for you.
Buffalo Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer FAQs
How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Buffalo?
In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including spinal cord injuries, is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, exceptions to this rule involve minors or claims against government entities. Consult an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you don't miss any important deadlines.
Can I still pursue a claim if my spinal cord injury occurred at work?
If your spinal cord injury occurred while on the job, you may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. However, this doesn't necessarily preclude you from pursuing a personal injury claim if a third party (not your employer) contributed to your injury. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the complexities of work-related injury claims and explore all available avenues for compensation, including those asserted against a third-party defendant.
What if the person who caused my spinal cord injury doesn't have insurance?
If the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured, you may still have options for recovering compensation.
These could include filing a claim under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (in car accident cases), pursuing a claim against other potentially liable parties, or, in some cases, seeking compensation directly from the at-fault individual's assets. Our attorneys can help you explore all possible sources of recovery.
How are spinal cord injury cases different from other personal injury claims?
Spinal cord injury cases often involve more complex medical evidence, higher damages, and longer-term care needs compared to many other types of personal injury claims. They frequently require testimony from multiple medical and economic experts to fully demonstrate the injury's impact.
Additionally, these cases often involve intricate calculations of future medical costs and life care needs, making legal representation crucial.
What if my spinal cord injury symptoms worsen over time?
Spinal cord injuries can sometimes have delayed or progressive symptoms. You generally cannot reopen the case if your condition worsens after reaching a settlement or verdict.
Work with experienced attorneys and medical experts who can accurately predict the long-term impact of your injury and ensure your compensation accounts for potential future complications or deterioration.
Contact the Buffalo Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers at William Mattar Law Offices Today
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else's negligence in Buffalo or Western New York, don't face this challenging time alone. The experienced spinal cord injury attorneys at William Mattar Law Offices are here to fight for your rights and help you secure the compensation you need to move forward.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations to discuss your case and explain your legal options. Remember, you pay no attorneys’ fees unless you receive a recovery. . Don't wait to get the legal support you deserve—contact William Mattar Law Offices today at (716) 444-4444 or through our online form for a consultation with a skilled Buffalo spinal cord injury lawyer.