Injury Lawyer Serving Boulder, Longmont, Broomfield & Surrounding Areas in Colorado
Suffering any type of injury is a terrifying and horrible experience. However, when the injury involves something as sensitive as your spinal cord, the fear of permanent suffering or symptoms multiplies the injury. When you suffer a spinal cord injury because of the negligence of another, you have grounds to file a lawsuit for compensation for your suffering.
For help with your personal injury case, please contact Jeffress Law today. Our attorney, Christopher W. Jeffress, has been helping those injured in Boulder and its surrounding areas for decades and can help you too. Contact us today by calling 303-993-8685.
Spinal Cord Accident Causes
The vast majority of spinal cord accidents occur in car accidents, but they can occur in a variety of other types of accidents including the following:
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Boat accidents
- Ski/snowboard accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
In any of these types of injuries, a negligent party may have been the cause for your injury and, therefore, can be held responsible for your suffering, pain, and possible life-long struggles. A spinal cord injury can lead to multiple surgeries, excessive prescriptions, partial or full paralysis, rehabilitation, and possibly, symptoms that will continue to affect you for life.
What Are Common Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal cord injuries are often classified by their severity and neurological level or degree of paralysis. According to the most recent data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), incomplete tetraplegia injuries are the most common, followed by incomplete and complete paraplegia. Complete tetraplegia occurs less frequently than all the other types.
The Statute of Limitations in Colorado for Spinal Cord Injuries
While you are busy navigating your recovery and medical bills, the clock on your case is ticking. You should know there is a deadline for filing your personal injury lawsuit in Colorado. It is called the statute of limitations, and missing it means losing your chance to take legal action forever.
The statute of limitations for spinal cord injuries varies depending on their cause. You have three years to file a lawsuit for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. For most other incidents, including slip and fall, premises liability, and product liability, you have just two years to file.
Some circumstances surrounding your case can affect your deadline to file a lawsuit. Work with our spinal cord injury attorney in Boulder to figure out how long you have to bring a claim.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Spinal Injury?
Spinal cord injuries are serious and life-changing. The settlements in these cases usually reflect that. It is not uncommon for plaintiffs to recover six figures for permanent and disabling back injuries.
No financial award can adequately compensate for spinal cord injuries. You may struggle with a loss of enjoyment of life and find it difficult or impossible to do the things that you once loved.
However, a fair settlement will allow you to pay for your current and future health care costs. It will also cover other significant expenses, such as lost wages and home modifications. Keep in mind that reaching a fair settlement requires the help of a skilled spinal cord injury attorney.
How we can help you prepare for court
The vast majority of personal injury cases settle out of court. Settling before trial offers many advantages, including that it tends to be less expensive, stressful, and time-consuming.
Under some circumstances, however, it might make sense for your case to go to court.
If so, there are a few things you may need to do to prepare. Here are some general tips:
- Write notes for yourself about the critical points in your case
- Find the original version of all important documents and make copies
- Be ready to give clear arguments for your position
- Make arrangements for childcare or time off work
Going to court can be overwhelming. Fortunately, you do not need to get ready for your trial on your own. Mr. Jeffress will make sure that you know what to do well before the day arrives.
How Long Can the Trial Take?
The trial itself can last anywhere from one day to a week or more. However, trials do not commence right away. They often occur at least a year after the initial lawsuit was filed. And they do not always begin on their scheduled date. Trials are delayed for various reasons.
It is not uncommon for the entire process, from filing the lawsuit to receiving the damages awarded at trial, to take several years. However, the damages can be significant.
What Happens if I Am at Fault for My Spinal Cord Injury?
State laws differ in how damages are awarded based on fault. Colorado follows a model known as contributory negligence. Here is how that model can affect the outcome of your claim.
You can still recover compensation if your actions contributed to your spinal cord injury. However, your damages will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. If your fault is greater than or equal to the fault of the defendant, you will not be able to recover compensation.
Justice for the Injured
If you've suffered in any type of accident and your spinal cord is damaged, our attorney can help you seek justice. Not only is Mr. Jeffress experienced with all types of the aforementioned accident cases, but also if your spinal cord injury was the result of defective products or dangerous premises.
Whatever the cause, our attorney will take the time to determine exactly how your injury is affecting you personally, including any of the following struggles:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord compression
- Paralysis of any kind
- Constant pain or discomfort
- Incontinence
- Loss of sexual ability
- Emotional stress
- Loss of employment/benefits
Mr. Jeffress will make getting your compensation his main priority. While financial restitution may seem like a moot point after being so severely injured, the financial compensation can help you to pay for the best physicians, best care, rehabilitation, and future care available. You owe it to yourself to seek help, so please don't hesitate to contact Jeffress Law today. You can fill out the contact form on this page or call us at 303-993-8685. We are proud to serve clients in Boulder, Longmont, Broomfield, and the surrounding Metro Areas.
Read what our patients are saying!
Myself husband & Mother had a wonderful experience using Chris Jeffress for our car accident that happened in March of 2020. In an already crazy time Chris made the legal process of our car accident smooth. We all were very pleased with his knowledge and assistance in something we would have preferred not to have experienced. He went above and beyond and was able to settle our case for the full amount! Thank you Jeffress Law.
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