Tacoma Spinal Injury Lawyer
Spinal Cord Injuries Are Serious. Get Help From an Experienced Spinal Injury Attorney in Tacoma.
Many an injury can be rather severe and debilitating, and one of the worst you may face is spinal injuries. A serious spinal injury could result in you being out for months, even years, needing to go through an extended period of rehabilitation before you get close to being back to normal.
Unfortunately, some people who suffer spinal injuries never fully recover.
Not everyone is lucky enough to ever get back to normal, having to spend the rest of their lives relying on others in their day-to-day lives.
Those who have suffered a spinal injury due to an accident in which they have minimal, or no fault may be able to seek compensation, though that is not going to be the simplest task. The best way to increase the chances of success, in this case, is to work with trusted Tacoma spinal cord injury lawyers. They can help you get coverage in a number of areas, ranging from pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, medical expenses, and more.
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All About Spinal Cord Injuries
Common Accidents Where Negligence Can Cause Spinal Cord Injuries
Because of how devastating such an injury can be, it is not at all rare to fall victim to a spinal cord injury. As of July 2022, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, approximately 18,000 Americans suffer spinal cord injuries annually, with one of the most common causes being a car accident.
Car accidents can occur for a number of reasons, sometimes even with no clear person responsible. However, several factors may contribute, such as if the other driver is driving while distracted or inebriated. Speeding is also one of the biggest causes of car accidents in general.
While car accidents cause a considerable number of spinal injuries each year, there are other sources of spinal injuries that could involve negligence as well. These include:
- Truck accidents
- Work accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Assaults.
A personal injury attorney specializing in spinal cord injuries can assist you in recovering damages in all of these cases.
Injuries to the Vertebrae of the Spine
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, an injury to the spine in an accident can lead to a herniated disc. This creates extreme pain in the back, leaving the victim unable to perform daily functions or to work as he or she did prior to the accident. A back injury can also result in damage to the tendons and muscles that connect to the spine, creating weakness and significant pain.
Through rest, physical therapy, pain medication, and other types of medical care, you may be able to overcome the back injury and return to something close to your normal life. However, you may be unable to work for weeks, months, or even years during the recovery process, and you deserve compensation for these lost wages.
With our Tacoma back injury lawyers representing you, we can work together to seek the settlement amount you deserve. Our spinal injury lawyer will interview your doctors, study your medical records, and collect facts that give you an idea of future health concerns you could be facing. This information helps us determine a fair amount to seek from negligent parties and their insurance companies.
You Deserve Compensation for Your Spinal Injuries
No matter what anyone tells you – if your spinal injury was not your fault, you deserve to receive compensation from those who are. The costs associated with the damage and recovery can be quite devastating for most Americans. Whether that be due to losing out on your quality of life, your employment, or money spent on medical costs and recovery.
You may feel tempted to work with an insurance company and get it over with quickly, but always remember – the insurance company is trying to get the best result for them, not for you. If they do not try to avoid paying out entirely, they will usually try to lowball you where possible. And all too often, it makes it difficult to get the compensation you actually deserve.
Do not let the insurance company convince you to accept a smaller settlement than you deserve to wrap up your case as quickly as possible.
While it may seem tempting to get the settlement over with as soon as possible, it will hurt you in the long term if you do so. The process may take months before you can actually get a proper diagnosis of what you should be paid in compensation for your injuries and associated costs. This will also help you better understand how extensive the damage may be.
Until you have that diagnosis in hand, which will include feedback from specialists recommended by your primary care doctor, you should not even consider settling. The experienced spinal injury lawyer team at Strong Law understands how insurance companies operate. Let us handle all negotiations on your behalf and you can focus on your recovery. We will work tirelessly to help determine an appropriate award and pursue it. For a free consultation, call our Tacoma spinal injury attorneys by phone at 206-737-2997 today.
Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuits
How We Help Win a Fair Spinal Injury Settlement for You
The advice and counsel of a skilled personal injury lawyer who has experience in spinal cord cases are critical. Our attorneys not only recognize the causes of these injuries, but they also have an in-depth understanding of their effects. We know these injuries are serious and painful. They can impact your ability to do just about anything, and the effects can last for weeks, months, years, or even a lifetime.
Our proven approach to these cases centers on helping our clients. We know you are struggling, and even discussing the event and your current condition can be emotionally draining. Our sympathetic attorneys who handle spinal injury cases take their time when learning about your case. We appreciate how difficult everything can be. Once we have a complete understanding of your situation, we take over and manage every step of the process from beginning to end. While we will keep you apprised of developments in your case and are always available to answer your questions, you do not need to do anything except concentrate on your recovery. Getting better likely requires your full attention.
We focus on gathering all valuable information regarding your case, including information on the negligence which caused it, documentation of medical costs, and estimates for future care. We want to know everything, including all of your needs, so that when we begin to negotiate on your behalf, we are well prepared.
In the majority of cases, the responsible party will have liability insurance coverage; thus, your Tacoma spinal injury lawyer will be dealing with an insurance company when attempting to get you the compensation you deserve. Our initial goal is always to settle with the involved insurance companies. We aggressively negotiate from a position of power, keeping in mind that you are the victim of another’s negligence and, as such, are entitled to an appropriate settlement.
You were not the at-fault party, thus the insurer for the individual or organization that caused your injuries should be willing to pay for your medical care, as well as fairly compensate you for your pain and suffering and the reduction in your quality of life going forward. This generally doesn’t happen with the first offer.
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Just wanted to say thank you to Jed and his team at Strong Law. Not only was I happy with the outcome, but the entire process as a whole. I would definitely recommend this firm to anyone. Thanks again.
“Unbelievable work!”
I had a claim involving my own insurance company. I tried to negotiate with them, and they completely denied my claim – two times. I then hired Strong Law, and the change was instant. The insurance company immediately began negotiating, and Jed was able to secure an unbelievably good settlement. I will never again attempt to take-on an insurance company without Strong Law in my corner. Thank you!”
“I got justice and awesome compensation.”
“I hired Strong Law after my car accident. Jed and his team worked hard on my case. They were professional and compassionate through my surgery and as I recovered, and they were awesome on communication. I got justice and awesome compensation. I would recommend Strong Law to anyone in my situation.”
When Litigation Is Necessary in a Spinal Injury Case
Ideally, your spine injury attorney will reach a settlement with the insurance company that compensates you appropriately for all that you have lost. Unfortunately, reaching a settlement that truly takes care of you is not always possible.
When negotiations come to a standstill, it may be time to take your case to court.
Because the statute of limitations in Washington is three years from the date of your injury, timing matters. If your spinal injury is a result of medical malpractice, it is usually three years, but in some circumstances, eight (R.C.W §4.16.50). You do not want to wait when contacting a spinal injury lawyer; you want them to have time to negotiate and file your suit in court if necessary. If you file after the three-year window, your case will not be heard.
Finally, it is important to understand that Washington has comparative fault laws in place. This means that faults in an accident can be proportional. Thus, you may be found to be 5% at fault for the accident which caused your spinal injury. In this case, you would be entitled to 95% of the damage.
Handling Your Medical Bills After Your Spinal Injury Settlement
Once your case is settled, you will know how much money you will receive. This settlement includes compensation that must be used to pay your medical bills. If your insurance company has already paid bills, they will want to be reimbursed. In Washington, this process is governed by the common fund and “made whole” rules.
The common fund rule focuses on attorney’s fees. If you hire an attorney to handle your spine injury case, the monies paid back to your insurance company may be reduced. You keep that portion because you hired an attorney. If you did not hire an attorney, the total paid by the insurance company would be reimbursed.
The Washington State Made Whole Doctrine protects you. Basically, your insurance company can only be paid if you are fully compensated for your damage. If insurance limits were too low, you do not have to reimburse them for the full amount.
Finally, when you do need to reimburse your insurance company, they only get reimbursed for the contractual amount they paid, not the full amount you were charged. When you look at your explanation of the benefits, you will see a charge for a procedure – for example, an X-ray with a charge of $1,000. You will also see your copay and the amount the insurance company paid (often significantly less, in this case perhaps $250). This is their contractual rate. You can sue for the full $1,000, but only have to pay the insurance company their contracted cost.
Your Strong Law spinal injury lawyers will be able to fully explain these and other aspects of your settlement.
Our Spinal Injury Lawyers Understand How Insurers Treat Back Injury Victims
Insurers are for-profit companies. One of the ways they maintain a high settlement margin is by paying the smallest possible settlement they can.
An insurance company will have multiple adjusters and lawyers on its side, especially in a serious case involving a spinal injury, attempting to convince you to accept a smaller settlement than you may deserve.
Before starting our firm at Strong Law, our attorneys had experience on the inside, getting to know the way insurance companies work and the way they treat victims. We know how to counteract the techniques of insurers, giving us the ability to help you receive the true settlement amount that you deserve.
Contact our back injury lawyer team at 206-737-2997 as soon as possible for a free review of your case. We serve clients in three states, with offices in Tacoma, Salt Lake City, and Portland.
Compensation for Your Spine Injury
In Washington, personal injury compensation is classified in one of two ways; economic or non-economic.
Economic Damages in a Spinal Injury Case
Economic damages are those which are quantifiable. In general, they include all medical expenses (including emergency care, follow-up visits, medication, therapy, and rehabilitation), loss of earning capacity, and lost future wages. You can also sue for damages to your vehicle if a car accident caused your injury. Additionally, you can recover costs for necessary travel expenses. There are several ways we can “prove” the existence of these damages, including submitting your medical bills, mechanic’s bills, and paychecks. We can have experts submit estimates regarding future care costs.
Non-economic Damages in a Spinal Injury Case
Non-economic damages are more difficult to “put a number on.” These include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and compensation for any disability you may have as a result of the incident. Proof for these damages comes in the form of psychological testimony, documentation of your accident (including pictures if they exist), and, perhaps most importantly, your own description of how your life has changed. Often your words are the most powerful.
When you sue for personal injury, one of the most important steps in your personal injury case is accurately calculating all of your expenses. While medical bills are ideal for quantifying past costs, it is important that we also look toward the future and consider any medical or personal care you will need as you move forward.
Our spine injury attorneys can help determine the figure for which you should ask. They will categorize each specific area and, when necessary, provide information from expert witnesses to support each claim.
The costs associated with spinal injuries can be considerable. Thankfully, in the state of Washington, based on an injury case that went to the state Supreme Court, there is no limit on the damages that can be awarded.
Common Back Injury Questions for Our Tacoma Spinal Injury Lawyer
Naturally, those injured, and their families have a lot of questions regarding the legal process. Here are some of the most frequent questions victims of spinal injuries raise when preparing to file a personal injury claim.
- How easy is it to win a spinal injury lawsuit?
- How long will my case take?
- How quickly do I have to file a claim for my back injury?
- How much compensation is possible after a spinal cord injury?
- Can I afford a Tacoma spinal injury attorney?
- How do I know if I have a case that requires spinal injury lawyers?
Long-Term Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries
Partial or Complete Paralysis
A spinal injury can affect the nerves that make up the spinal cord, the bones that comprise the spine, or the soft tissues that connect to the spine. In the most serious type of spinal injury, the accident victim could have damage to the spinal cord, which can cause partial or complete paralysis to areas of the body below the injury location.
If this happens in your case, you could be facing a lifetime of paralysis in your limbs and lower body, leaving you with the need for a wheelchair to move. You may need professional help to perform personal care and to complete tasks you could have easily done on your own before the accident.
Some people who suffer from paralysis can have a shorter lifespan than they would have had before the accident. They may never be able to work and earn a living again.
Loss of Quality of Life
When you’re going through a debilitating thing like a spinal cord injury, one of the things that often goes for a lot of people is their quality of life. Moving around is much more difficult, and if you are a social butterfly, it may bother you that you cannot easily go out to the bar or wherever you like to hang out. The time you spend at home will also suffer.
In Washington state, there are a number of non-economic damages that can be covered in a personal injury lawsuit. In the Revised Code of Washington, one possible angle of noneconomic damage comes in the form of loss of society and companionship, which certainly falls under loss of quality of life.
Our Tacoma Spinal Injury Lawyers Know How Frustrating This Injury Can Be
Your Life Can Change in an Instant After a Serious Back Injury
When you suffer a spinal injury because of the negligence of another party, you almost certainly will have significant feelings of frustration. You did not do anything wrong, yet your life has changed in a split second because of the mistakes of another individual or organization.
You may not be able to enjoy life as you did before the crash. And, you may even have to face the possibility that you will be relying on other people for nearly all aspects of your personal life. You may be unable to work in the same job or as much as you did before the crash. You deserve to receive compensation from the insurance company that takes all these changes to your life into consideration.
If you are ready to take the plunge, be sure to contact a spine injury attorney at Strong Law. We can be reached at (206) 737-2997; alternatively, you can apply on our compensation form to receive a free consultation.
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How Strong Law will handle you case
Gather evidence, interview witnesses, and assess the circumstances surrounding the accident to establish facts and liability.
Determine the extent of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Engage in discussions with the opposing party or insurance companies to reach a fair settlement outside of court.
If negotiations fail, proceed to court where legal arguments and evidence are presented before a judge or jury for a final decision.
Insider experience
We know how to fight big insurance companies
Prior to representing accident victims, Jed worked for GEICO insurance company as one of its in-house attorneys – representing the insurance companies. After learning the inner workings of insurance companies, he quit and began representing accident victims.
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Our team of legal experts pride themselves on going above and beyond for our clients. We provide you answers and solutions to the legal issues you may experience from your accident.
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Frequently asked questions
Have other questions? Get in touch with our team at info@stronglawattorneys.com
What Is the Value of My Case?
The value of an injury case depends upon many factors related to the extent of your injuries and any other losses associated with your claim. You may have medical bills, lost income, costs associated with pain and suffering, among other possible damages. To learn the possible value of your case, contact the team at Strong Law. In a free case evaluation, we’ll let you know how much your case may be worth.
What Are Your Hours?
Strong Law is open five days a week between 9am and 5pm. In addition, we offer after hours return calls, weekend calls, and online chat.
What Kinds Of Cases Are Personal Injury?
Call us to know for sure, but a good rule of thumb is when an “accident” that happened to you because of the acts of or misdeeds of another party. Examples are: Auto accidents; motorcycle accidents; semi-truck accidents; wrongful death; medical malpractice; slip, trip and fall; boating accidents, faulty equipment, nursing home abuse; and many others.
Will I Be Charged To Consult Or Talk With You?
No, not ever. Strong Law is a contingency personal injury firm offering specialized experience along with access when you need it. Our goal is to gain the best settlement and provide comfort in the process, so easy access to us is part of our best practices.
What Does Contingency Mean?
Contingency in a legal matter means an expense to the client based on the outcome of a future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty. Said another way, Strong Law gets paid only if your case settles.
Can You Give Me An Assessment Of My Case?
Absolutely. While we cannot guarantee anything, nor do we imply a settlement, our willingness to take your case (and do it on contingency) is our voice that we feel your case has strong merit. After speaking with you, we can provide a merit assessment over the phone. However, we caution that accepting your case does not promise anything, your outcome is reflected in the law firm you choose.
What Should I Do If I’m Having Problems, Like Their Insurance Company Is Calling Me?
Always secure an attorney first. If you sign up with Strong Law now, you can advise their insurance company that you have representation and give them our name and contact information. From that time forward, they should not be contacting you again; it’s the law. If you do not sign with an attorney, like Strong Law, you will need to speak with them and represent yourself to resolve your injury. We strongly urge against this; insurance companies are skilled at ensuring their best interests over yours.
What Are Common Reasons For Insurance Injury Denials?
Make sure you receive medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident, otherwise insurance may argue your pain is from an unrelated incident.Insurance companies will be going out of their way to find some proof that the accident was your fault. Don’t be intimidated.If you have preexisting medical conditions that make you more likely to suffer an injury, it is not uncommon for insurance agencies to deny claims based on this.
How Long Does A Case Take To Settle?
It depends on many factors like medical care, future needs, evidence, proof of liability, and many others. Some cases take months while others can last a couple years. Ultimately, our goal is to represent you and what is going to be best for you in the long run.
Why Can Cases Last Years?
Because the law dictates it. There are many layers to make sure the insurance companies treat you with optimal care. For example, there will be time spent for medical treatments you might need. There is time to gather the needed medical reports and discover any long term impacts this injury will have on your life today and into the future. There is time for the other side to review our demands, research, and respond as well. It can feel like a long time, but we follow the law and strategize for the best benefit to you. We are with you the whole time.
