What Is the Average Settlement for a Spine Injury Case?

Spinal cord injuries are often in the category of “catastrophic” accident injuries, meaning victims can suffer life-changing or permanent harm. It is critical for those living with spinal cord injuries to know how much their cases are worth when it comes time to seek financial compensation from negligent parties. There is no such thing as an average settlement; case values are unique to each individual. 

Beware of the “Average” Settlement Fallacy 

An average spinal cord injury settlement doesn’t exist, as values can vary significantly from case to case. If an individual suffers a minor back injury, for example, a settlement may be around $30,000 or less. Someone with a severe back injury causing paraplegia or quadriplegia, however, could have a case that is worth multiple millions of dollars.

The only way to get an accurate idea of how much your case is worth is through a transparent consultation with a spinal cord injury lawyer in Los Angeles. A lawyer will base his or her estimate on the facts that are unique to your case and yours alone, such as the severity of your spine injury, how it has and will continue to affect your life, and the insurance coverage available.

How Much Does a Spinal Cord Injury Cost Over a Lifetime?

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center’s most recent data, a spinal cord injury can cost anywhere from $1.5 million to $6.2 million over an individual’s lifetime in health care costs and living expenses. 

These amounts do not include the costs of lost wages suffered by the victim due to a long-term or permanent disability. These values vary based on factors such as the level of motor function disability and the age of the individual at the time of injury. 

What Types of Financial Damages Are Awarded for a Spine Injury?

When seeking a fair settlement from an insurance provider for a neck, back or spinal cord injury, it is important to know what types of losses you can include on your claim. California law permits the recovery of economic, non-economic and – in some cases – punitive damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the financial costs caused by the spine injury, both in the victim’s current life and foreseeable future. Examples include:

• Medical bills 
• Surgeries and rehabilitation 
• Physical and occupational therapy 
• Mobility-assistive devices 
• Prescription medications 
• Live-in or around-the-clock care 
• Visits with specialists 
• Ongoing medical treatments 
• Home and vehicle modifications 
• Disability accommodations 
• Losses of income and capacity to earn

Specialized injury attorneys in Los Angeles, CA have the skills to calculate these losses involving adding together all the victim’s bills and receipts, in addition to working with life-care planners to accurately estimate future care costs.

Non-Economic Damages

A serious spinal cord injury can have a range of personal, emotional and psychological effects on the victim. Financial compensation can be awarded for pain, suffering, emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, depression, anxiety, insomnia and other non-economic losses.

Punitive Damages

If the party that caused the spinal cord injury committed an act of gross negligence, fraud, maliciousness or intent to harm, the courts may also award punitive damages. This is a separate type of compensation that is granted to punish the defendant rather than compensate the victim.

How to Maximize Your Spinal Cord Injury Settlement

If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident that was caused by someone else, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The value of your case is something we can discuss in detail during a free case review at Rose, Klein & Marias, LLP. Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of spinal cord injury victims and their loved ones. We can help you seek the amount you need and deserve for your injuries.