A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe type of injury that can have lasting or permanent impacts on a victim’s mobility, health and quality of life. Serious SCIs can cause life-changing paralysis and other health problems, with staggering related medical costs and other bills. Calculating the full value of a spinal cord injury claim is critical if a victim wishes to recover fair financial compensation. Let our spine injury lawyers calculate the full cost of your accident.
Estimated Lifetime Costs Based on the Latest Facts and Figures
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the estimated lifetime costs directly attributable to living with a spinal cord injury (health care costs and living expenses) range from about $50,000 to over $6 million. The estimates vary substantially based on the age of the individual at the time of injury and the level of disability inflicted.
Under these estimates, a victim who is diagnosed with paraplegia (paralysis from the waist down) at the age of 25 can expect around $667,569 in expenses in the first year and $88,433 each subsequent year – equaling an estimated lifetime cost of $2,971,942. At age 50, the estimated lifetime cost of paraplegia is reduced to $1,950,396. These estimates do not include indirect costs associated with a spinal cord injury, such as lost wages, productivity and employment benefits. Factoring in these losses, which may be substantial, can enhance the value of a spinal cord injury claim in California by hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
Future Foreseeable Costs Associated With an SCI
Spinal cord injuries can cause nerve damage, irreversible paralysis, chronic pain, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular problems, infections, and other serious and lasting health problems. Most people living with SCIs require long-term or ongoing medical care and treatments, including:
- Doctor’s appointments
- Visits with specialists
- Surgeries
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Prescription medications
- Mobility-assistive devices and technologies
- Disability accommodations
- In-home nursing aides
- Around-the-clock care
Calculating the future costs of a spinal cord injury often requires a Life Care Plan. This is a comprehensive document that maps out all of the treatments and specialized care an SCI survivor will need for the duration of his or her life. These plans are adjusted based on the victim’s prognosis, medical status, inflation and other relevant factors.
The Personal Costs of a Spinal Cord Injury
While the financial consequences of a spinal cord injury can be massive, the physical and emotional impacts can be even more devastating. The personal cost of an SCI can be astronomical and challenging to place a monetary value on. A victim may have been robbed of his or her independence, mobility, daily hobbies, career, relationships and enjoyment of life.
An experienced personal injury attorney in Orange County can help craft a compelling narrative on behalf of a victim to demonstrate the significant personal losses suffered to an insurance company, judge or jury to fight for justice. A lawyer can properly valuate pain and suffering in addition to economic losses.
How to Seek Maximum Compensation for an SCI in California
The total cost of a spinal cord injury can be much more than a patient initially realizes , and substantially more than an insurance company initially offers to resolve a claim. Before accepting a quick settlement, contact an attorney for a legal consultation.
A lawyer can help you maximize your financial outcome by seeking a settlement or judgment award that fairly compensates you for the full extent of your spinal cord injury losses, including medical care, lost wages, disability, pain and suffering, property damage, and loss of enjoyment of life. To discuss the potential value of a spinal cord injury claim with a knowledgeable attorney in California, contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian at (949) 831-6611 for a free case review.