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The Real Cost Of An Accident With Paralysis

On Behalf of | Dec 28, 2018 | Spinal Cord Injury |

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We know that you do not spend much time thinking about what would happen if you or a family member gets hurt in an accident. When injuries do happen, usually they are minor and easily handled. Unfortunately, there are times when catastrophic injuries completely change everything. That is the case with spinal cord injuries.

Spinal cord injuries occur in a variety of ways and often because of the negligence of another person. Do you know where to turn if you or a family member have sustained a spinal cord injury because of another person’s reckless behavior?

Did you know that the medical costs of a spinal cord injury can reach to over $1 million dollars for the first year of care?

At Hiden, Rott & Oertle LLP, we want to talk to you about the real costs of a spinal cord injury and why it is so important to secure an attorney who can.

The Horrible Reality

After a spinal cord injury, victims and their families usually have many questions, especially when the injury was caused by another person. We know that around 282,000 people in the US are living with spinal cord injuries. The National Spinal cord injury Statistical Center tells us that they are caused in the following ways:

  • Vehicle Accidents – 38%
  • Falls – 30%
  • Violence – 14%
  • Sports and Recreation – 9%
  • Medical Errors – 5%
  • Other Incidents – 4%

When it comes to analyzing the costs of spinal cord accidents, we need to look at both medical costs as well as hidden costs. When it comes to medical costs, the first year of treatment breaks down as follows:

  • Full Quadriplegia – $1 million
  • Partial Quadriplegia – $769,000
  • Paraplegia – $518,000
  • Incomplete Motor Function – $347,000

Now consider that spinal cord injury victims are vulnerable to many other diseases and injuries due to their original injury. Up to 30% of all spinal cord injury victims are admitted to the hospital each year with complications. This only increases the overall medical costs.

Looking at hidden costs, we need to examine things like:

  • Loss of income and benefits of the injury victim.
  • Loss of income of any family members who leave their job to become a caregiver.
  • The cost of accommodations to vehicles and homes (for mobility and wheelchair accessibility).
  • Long-term in-home care from nurses and aides.
  • Emotional and psychological damage counseling costs.

Will insurance cover all of these costs? Will you have to fight to make sure you and your loved ones are cared for?

What Can You Do

We know that you are overwhelmed right now and the last thing you need to worry about is fighting to secure the compensation you deserve. That is why we want to help. At Hiden, Rott & Oertle LLP, our team will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve for all of your accident-related expenses, including the hidden costs we discussed. When you need a San Diego spinal cord injury attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling our office.

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