Ontario Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you love recently sustained a spinal cord injury in an accident in Ontario, California, you may be able to recover financial compensation. If one or more parties contributed to the spine injury, a monetary recovery could be available to cover related medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses.
At Rose, Klein & Marias LLP, we are committed to pursuing justice and fair case results for victims who are enduring the challenges of spinal cord injuries. Our Ontario spinal cord injury attorneys will use personalized legal strategies to help you rebuild your life in the aftermath of a devastating accident. Call us today at (909) 944-1711 to request a free case consultation.
What an Ontario Spine Injury Lawyer Can Do For You
Spinal cord injuries can have a profound effect on the lives of victims and their families. The medical costs associated with a severe spine injury alone can easily exceed $1 million throughout a victim’s lifetime. Unfortunately, insurance companies often offer inadequate settlements to resolve spine injury claims.
It is important to hire an attorney to advocate for your best interests during settlement negotiations. A lawyer will help protect your future by seeking fair compensation for your ongoing needs and medical treatments. If your case has to go to trial for a just outcome, an attorney can represent you in court
An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer in Ontario can thoroughly investigate your accident, determine liability, collect evidence, hire qualified experts to testify, handle negotiations with an insurance claims adjuster and take other steps to resolve your case. In the meantime, you will have the ability to focus on healing and moving forward.
Types of Compensation Available to Spinal Cord Injury Victims
In California, a successful civil claim can reimburse an injured victim for all costs related to the accident and injury. Compensatory damages, which aim to reimburse a victim for losses suffered, can cover both economic and noneconomic losses. Economic losses are the specific financial costs associated with the spinal cord injury, while noneconomic losses refer to the victim’s pain and suffering.
The types of compensation that may be available include:
- Hospital bills
- Ongoing medical treatments
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Medical or mobility assistive devices
- Disability accommodations
- Caregiver costs
- Lost wages
- Diminished capacity to earn
- Property damage
- Physical pain and emotional distress
You may be eligible to recover compensation for all of the past and future estimated costs related to your spinal cord injury in addition to the intangible ways the injury has impacted your life. In rare cases, punitive damages may also be available. Punitive damages aim to punish a defendant for especially wrongful acts, such as gross negligence or intent to harm.
Who Can Be Held Liable for an Ontario Spinal Cord Injury?
A Ontario personal injury claim seeks to hold one or more parties (defendants) liable, or legally responsible, for the harm suffered by an injured victim (plaintiff) due to the defendant’s wrongful acts. Most claims are based on the legal theory of negligence, or the failure to use proper care according to the situation. Someone is negligent if he or she owed the plaintiff a duty of care, breached this duty and caused the harm suffered.
In a spinal cord injury case in Ontario, many parties could potentially be held liable for the victim’s injuries and related losses. The liable party will depend on the circumstances of the case. If an automobile accident caused the injury, for example, the driver at fault for causing the collision can be held liable. If the injury occurred in the workplace, a negligent employer could be held liable. Other common causes of spinal cord injuries include falls, sports incidents, acts of violence and medical malpractice.
How Long You Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Ontario
In California, state law gives personal injury claimants no more than two years from the dates of their accidents to file related claims. Although there are some exceptions to this rule, most cases must be brought within two years. If you did not discover your spine injury right away, the clock will not start ticking until the date of reasonable discovery. The sooner you take legal action, the better, while important evidence is still available.
What to Do After Suffering a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can result in permanent disability, including paralysis or the loss of feeling and function below the point of injury. It is critical for patients with spine injuries to be careful regarding the actions they take and movements they make immediately following the accident to help minimize damage.
If you sustain a spine injury in an accident, here’s what to do:
- Try to stay calm and call emergency services to come to your location.
- Do not attempt to stand or move unless it is necessary for your safety.
- Cooperate with medics when they arrive at the scene to immobilize your spine.
- Document the accident, such as by gathering information and asking someone to take photographs of the scene.
- If there are any witnesses, write down their names and phone numbers before you leave.
- Attend all of your medical appointments and follow your doctor’s advice.
- Collect copies of your medical records and accident reports.
- Notify your insurance company of the accident and your injury diagnosis.
- Do not give an insurance company a recorded statement or accept a settlement without talking to an attorney.
- Contact a spinal cord injury lawyer in Ontario for further advice.
Do what you can to protect yourself physically and legally in the aftermath of an accident. The attorneys at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP can do the rest. If you cannot do anything more than concentrate on your physical and emotional recovery after a traumatic accident, don’t worry. Our experienced attorneys can take over your case for you from the very beginning.
Contact Our Ontario Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in or around Ontario, the legal team at Rose, Klein & Marias LLP can help you pick up the pieces. Our attorneys can build a compelling case on your behalf that accurately represents the impact a spine injury has had on your life. During your case, we will also provide emotional support with compassionate and understanding legal services.
Speak to our spinal cord injury lawyer in Ontario today for more information. Call us at (909) 944-1711 or contact us online anytime to request a free consultation.