Rochester Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

A spinal cord injury can be a life-altering event. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in Rochester, New York due to someone else's negligence, you need experienced legal representation.

The dedicated team at William Mattar Law Offices is here to help you during this difficult time. With our extensive experience in handling spinal cord injury cases, we understand the devastating impact these injuries can have on every aspect of your life. 

Our Rochester spinal cord injury attorneys provide compassionate, personalized legal representation while aggressively pursuing the maximum compensation for your injuries.

FREE CASE EVALUATION

Reason to Hire a Rochester Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer at Our Firm

While you focus on adjusting to life after the spinal cord injury, having a Rochester spinal cord injury lawyer from our law firm by your side can make a big difference.

When you work with our experienced attorneys, you’ll gain access to:

1. Legal Experience: Spinal cord injury cases are complex and require in-depth knowledge of both medical and legal aspects. Our attorneys have extensive experience in handling these types of cases and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in personal injury law.
2. Accurate Valuation of Your Claim: Determining the full extent of damages in a spinal cord injury case requires a thorough understanding of the long-term implications of the injury. We work with our team to accurately assess your current and future needs, ensuring that your claim reflects the true value of your losses.
3. Negotiation Skills: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. Our experienced negotiators know how to counter their tactics and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
4. No Upfront Costs: Like most personal injury attorneys, we work on a contingency fee basis at William Mattar Law Offices. This means you don’t pay legal fees unless we win your case at trial/arbitration or you receive a settlement.
5. Peace of Mind: Knowing that experienced professionals are handling your case allows you to concentrate on your rehabilitation and adapting to your new circumstances.
6. Maximizing Compensation: Our attorneys will explore all possible avenues for compensation, including insurance claims, third-party liability, and potential government benefits.

You protect your rights by choosing William Mattar Law Offices to represent you in your spinal cord injury case. Our experienced team will work diligently to give you the best possible chance of receiving the compensation you need to secure your future.

Spinal Cord Injury Compensation: What You Need to Know

Compensation in spinal cord injury cases can be substantial due to the severe and often permanent nature of these injuries. The types of compensation you may be eligible for include:

• Medical Expenses: This covers all past and future medical costs related to your injury that are not covered by no-fault insurance, including emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, adaptive equipment, and ongoing rehabilitation.
• Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity: You may be compensated for income lost due to your injury and any reduction in your ability to earn an income.
• Pain and Suffering: This non-economic damage compensates you for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injury.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in activities and hobbies you once enjoyed.
• Home Modifications: Costs associated with making your home accessible, such as installing ramps, widening doorways, or modifying bathrooms.
• Vehicle Modifications: Expenses for adapting your vehicle to accommodate your disability.
• Long-term Care Costs: If you require ongoing personal care or assistance, these costs can be included in your compensation.
• Loss of Consortium: Your spouse may be entitled to compensation for the loss of companionship and support.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence, additional damages are awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.

The amount of compensation varies depending on factors such as the severity of the injury, the impact on your life, and the circumstances of the accident. Our Rochester spinal cord injury attorneys will work diligently to thoroughly document and pursue all aspects of your damages.

How Will a Lawyer Help With a Spinal Cord Injury Claim?

A Rochester spinal cord injury lawyer from our law firm can build and pursue your claim. Here's how we can help:

• Investigation: We can conduct a thorough investigation of your accident, gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage to establish liability.
• Medical Evidence Collection: Our team can work with your healthcare providers to obtain medical records and expert opinions documenting the extent of your injuries and future medical needs.
• Liability Determination: We can identify all potentially liable parties, which may include negligent drivers, property owners, product manufacturers, or others depending on the circumstances of your injury.
• Insurance Negotiations: Our attorneys can  handle all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from potentially harmful statements and ensuring your claim is not undervalued.
• Lawsuit Filing: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf and guide you through the process.
• Settlement Negotiations: Our skilled negotiators can  work to secure a fair settlement that fully compensates you for your injuries and losses.
• Trial Representation: If your case goes to trial, our experienced litigators will present a compelling case to the jury and fight for the maximum compensation possible.
• Future Planning: Our team can work with financial planners to ensure that any settlement or award is structured to provide for your long-term needs and financial security.

By entrusting your case to William Mattar Law Offices, you can be confident that every aspect of your spinal cord injury claim will be handled with the utmost care.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can result from various accidents and incidents. Understanding the common causes can help determine liability in injury cases.

Some of the most frequent causes of spinal cord injuries include:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries. 
• Falls: Especially common among older adults, falls from heights or on the same level can cause severe spinal cord damage.
• Sports and Recreation Injuries: Contact sports, diving accidents, and extreme sports can lead to spinal cord injuries.
• Medical Malpractice: Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, or improper treatment can sometimes result in spinal cord injuries.
• Workplace Accidents: Construction site falls, heavy machinery accidents, and other occupational hazards can lead to SCIs.
• Defective Products: Faulty safety equipment, vehicle defects, or malfunctioning recreational products can cause spinal cord injuries.
• Slip and Fall Accidents: Hazardous conditions on public or private property can lead to falls resulting in spinal cord damage.

At William Mattar Law Offices, you can trust that our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your injury to identify all liable parties and pursue the maximum compensation available.

What are Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries?

Spinal cord injury symptoms can vary depending on the severity and location of the injury, but may include:

• Loss of Movement: Paralysis or weakness in body parts below the injury site.
• Loss of Sensation: Inability to feel touch, heat, or cold in areas below the injury.
• Loss of Bowel or Bladder Control: Difficulty or inability to control bladder or bowel functions.
• Exaggerated Reflex Activities or Spasms: Uncontrolled movement of limbs.
• Pain or Intense Stinging Sensation: Caused by damage to the nerve fibers in the spinal cord.
• Difficulty Breathing: Especially in high cervical injuries affecting the diaphragm.
• Altered Sensation: Feelings of numbness or tingling in extremities.
• Loss of Coordination: Difficulty with balance and coordination.
• Pressure in Head, Neck, or Back: A feeling of pressure or aching in the head, neck, or back.

It's important to note that these symptoms may not appear immediately after an accident. If you experience any of these symptoms following an incident, seek immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly impact the long-term prognosis of a spinal cord injury.

What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury Accident in Rochester

While immediate medical attention is crucial in the hours following the accident, there are important actions to consider in the days that follow. Of course, all actions should be consistent with medical advice provided by a qualified medical provider: 

1. Continue Medical Treatment: Follow all medical advice and treatment plans your healthcare team provides. Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments and rehabilitation sessions. Keep detailed records of all medical treatments, medications, and healthcare provider interactions.
2. Gather Information: Collect any available information about the accident, including police reports, witness contact details, and photographs. If the injury occurred at work, ensure that an accident report has been filed with your employer.
3. Notify Your Insurance Company: Contact your insurance provider to report the accident and injury. New York is a no-fault state, meaning that some medical treatment will be billed directly to no-fault insurance. All no-fault insurers should be identified and put on notice. 
4. Document Everything: Keep all receipts related to your injury, including transportation costs to medical appointments.
5. Seek Legal Representation: Contact an experienced Rochester spinal cord injury attorney, like those at William Mattar Law Offices, as soon as possible. An attorney can help protect your rights and ensure you don't miss deadlines for filing claims.
6. Avoid Social Media: Refrain from posting about your accident or injury on social media platforms. Insurance companies may use your posts to dispute your claim.
7. Preserve Evidence: Preserve any physical evidence related to the accident (e.g., damaged clothing, equipment). Don't repair any property damage until it has been properly documented.

Remember, the days following a spinal cord injury are critical both for your physical recovery and for building a strong foundation for any potential legal claims. By taking these steps, you protect your health, rights, and future.

Costs Associated with Spinal Injuries

The financial burden of a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming, and understanding these costs can help your lawyer ensure your compensation claim adequately covers your needs.

A knowledgeable attorney can use this information to build a stronger case, taking into account expenses associated with spinal cord injuries such as:

• Immediate Medical Costs: Emergency services, surgeries, intensive care, and initial hospitalization can quickly amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• Ongoing Medical Care: Regular check-ups, medications, and potential re-hospitalizations for complications.
• Rehabilitation: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, which may be needed for months or years.
• Assistive Devices: Wheelchairs, specialized beds, computer-adaptive equipment, and other mobility aids.
• Home Modifications: Ramps, widened doorways, accessible bathrooms, and other changes to make the home navigable.
• Vehicle Modifications: Adaptations to allow for wheelchair access and hand controls.
• Personal Care: Home health aides or live-in caregivers for daily assistance.
• Lost Wages: Both immediate lost income and reduced earning capacity over a lifetime.
• Psychological Treatment: Counseling and therapy to address emotional and mental health needs.
• Vocational Rehabilitation: Training for new employment opportunities if returning to a previous job is not possible.
• Transportation: Specialized transportation services for medical appointments and daily activities.
• Medication: Ongoing prescriptions for pain management, spasticity control, and other related conditions.
• Secondary Condition Management: Treatment for complications such as pressure sores, urinary tract infections, and respiratory issues.
• Adaptive Recreation: Specialized equipment and programs for recreational activities.

The  lifetime costs of a spinal cord injury can range into the millions of dollars depending on the severity and age of the injury.

Contact a Rochester Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Today

Take the first step towards securing your future by contacting William Mattar Law Offices today. Call us at (585) 444-4444 or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation. Our Rochester spinal cord injury attorneys are ready to listen to your story and provide the strong legal advocacy you need during this challenging time.

Let William Mattar Law Offices be your voice and your champion in seeking fair compensation for your spinal cord injury.

FREE CASE EVALUATION