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If you were involved in an accident that caused damage to your spinal cord, you might be suffering from a range of serious complications. Spinal cord injuries often result in a tremendous financial burden, as victims may require ongoing care or years of rehabilitation. Fortunately, the South Carolina legal system provides a way for accident victims to recover compensation for the full extent of their losses.
A York County spinal cord injury lawyer can offer you support and guidance through every step of the personal injury claim process. An experienced attorney could fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
The number one cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States is traffic accidents. The rate of speed at which many motorists travel, coupled with distracted drivers, make for unsafe situations on the road. If negligence on the part of other drivers contributed to a serious accident, it could be grounds for a personal injury claim.
Another major source of spinal cord injuries are slips and falls. When visiting stores and restaurants, there is a baseline level of safety that property managers are expected to provide. If flooding, ice, or poorly maintained stairs contributed to an accident, victims may be able to seek compensation.
Spinal cord injuries can also result from incidents during recreational activities. Even with proper protective gear, bikers and athletes participating in contact sports are at risk for neck or back trauma in the event of an accident. A spinal cord injury attorney in York might be able to review other causes for spinal cord injuries to establish eligibility for a civil claim.
Types of Recoverable Damages
South Carolina differentiates between compensatory and punitive damages. Essentially, compensatory damages are meant to compensate the plaintiff for financial and emotional losses. Punitive damages, on the other hand, are designed to punish the defendant for grossly negligent behavior.
Compensatory damages can be broken into economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages might cover medical bills and lost wages. Usually, these losses can be readily quantified using hospital statements and tax forms.
Noneconomic damages compensate victims for less-tangible emotional losses. For example, if the plaintiff is unable to have romantic relationships, or if that individual suffers from trauma in the aftermath of the accident, they can recover compensation for these losses.
A York County attorney with experience handling spinal cord injury claims could help plaintiffs identify their damages and pursue fair compensation.
Filing Deadlines in York County
Lawmakers have established a clear deadline for filing personal injury claims in South Carolina. This is referred to as the “statute of limitations” in legal proceedings. Per South Carolina Code §15-3-530, individuals must file an official lawsuit in court within three years of the accident.
For many people, the process of beginning a claim is a mystery. A spinal cord injury attorney in York County might be able to assist clients in filing the proper documentation in a timely manner.
Call a York County Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Today
Whether you suffered your spinal damage behind the wheel of a car, on your job site, or during recreation, other individuals or manufacturers may have contributed to the incident. While you cannot undo your injury, you might be able to recover some of your financial losses.
To pursue fair compensation for your losses, you may benefit from the services of a York County spinal cord injury lawyer. Call Schiller & Hamilton today to discuss your case.