A serious spinal cord injury can change nearly every part of your life. Medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost income, and long-term care can create enormous challenges for injured people and their families. When another person or company caused the injury, a Michigan spinal cord injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for your losses.
At Khamo Law, our Michigan personal injury attorneys represent people who have suffered serious and life-changing injuries across the state. We investigate what happened, identify potentially responsible parties, preserve evidence, and deal with insurance companies on behalf of our clients.
If you or someone you love suffered a spinal cord injury because of another party’s negligence, call Khamo Law at (248) 466-0606 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
How Khamo Law Helps Michigan Spinal Cord Injury Victims
Spinal cord injury claims can involve substantial damages and complicated medical evidence. Insurance companies may dispute how an accident happened, the severity of an injury, or how much compensation an injured person should receive.
Our attorneys can investigate the accident and gather evidence to establish what happened. Depending on the circumstances, that evidence may include photographs, videos, accident reports, medical records, witness statements, vehicle information, employment records, and expert analysis.
Khamo Law can also:
- Investigate the cause of your injury
- Identify potentially liable parties
- Preserve important evidence
- Review available insurance coverage
- Document your financial and personal losses
- Communicate and negotiate with insurance companies
- Consult qualified experts when appropriate
- File a lawsuit and prepare the case for trial when necessary
Our goal is to build a claim that accounts for both the immediate consequences of an injury and the losses that may continue into the future.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Michigan
Spinal cord trauma can happen in many types of serious accidents. Some injuries occur because of a direct impact to the back or neck. Others result from fractures, compression, dislocation, or damage to the spinal column.
Cases may arise from:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dangerous property conditions
- Construction-related accidents
- Other incidents caused by negligence
Determining exactly how an injury happened can help identify the people or businesses that may bear legal responsibility.
Khamo Law helps people with serious spinal cord injuries pursue compensation after accidents in Michigan.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Not every spinal cord injury affects a person in the same way. The location and severity of the damage can influence movement, sensation, strength, and other bodily functions.
A serious injury may result in:
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia or tetraplegia
- Reduced mobility
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of sensation
- Chronic pain
- Muscle spasms
- Difficulty with balance or coordination
- Respiratory complications
- Changes in bladder or bowel function
- Sexual dysfunction
- Other neurological complications
Some people eventually regain significant function. Others may live with permanent disabilities that require ongoing medical treatment and assistance.
Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
Doctors may classify spinal cord injuries as complete or incomplete.
A complete spinal cord injury generally involves the loss of sensory and motor function below the affected area. An incomplete injury means some sensory or motor function remains.
However, two people with injuries at similar locations can experience very different outcomes. That is why the medical evidence in a spinal cord injury claim can be so important.
Medical records, diagnostic testing, physician opinions, rehabilitation records, and other evidence may help establish the severity of the injury and its effect on a person’s future.
Long-Term Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury
The financial impact of a spinal cord injury does not necessarily end when someone leaves the hospital.
Depending on the severity of the injury, a person may require:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- Mobility equipment
- Wheelchairs or other assistive devices
- Home modifications
- Vehicle modifications
- In-home assistance
- Follow-up medical treatment
- Future surgeries
- Psychological support
- Long-term personal care
An injury may also prevent someone from returning to the same occupation or working the same number of hours.
Because these consequences can continue for years, evaluating only the bills that exist today may fail to capture the full financial effect of the injury.
Who May Be Liable for a Michigan Spinal Cord Injury?
Liability depends on how the injury occurred.
For example, after a traffic collision, a negligent driver may bear responsibility. A commercial trucking accident could involve the driver, trucking company, maintenance provider, or another party depending on the circumstances.
A dangerous-property case may raise questions about whether a property owner or another responsible party failed to address an unsafe condition.
Potentially responsible parties can include:
- Negligent motorists
- Commercial drivers
- Trucking companies
- Employers
- Property owners
- Businesses
- Contractors
- Vehicle or equipment owners
- Other individuals or entities whose negligence contributed to the injury
Michigan also applies comparative-fault rules in personal-injury cases. Under MCL 600.2959, damages can be reduced according to the injured person’s percentage of fault, and the statute places additional restrictions on noneconomic damages when that person’s fault exceeds the aggregate fault of others. Read Michigan’s comparative-fault statute.
How We Investigate a Spinal Cord Injury Claim
Serious injury cases often require a detailed investigation.
Our attorneys may examine:
- Police or incident reports
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Surveillance or dash-camera footage
- Witness statements
- Vehicle damage
- Driver records
- Medical records
- Diagnostic imaging
- Employment and wage records
- Insurance policies
- Property maintenance records
- Other evidence relevant to liability or damages
Depending on the case, experts may also help explain how an accident occurred or how an injury could affect someone’s future.
Acting promptly can matter because physical evidence can disappear, video can be overwritten, witnesses can become difficult to locate, and important records may become harder to obtain.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Spinal Cord Injury?
Every case is different. There is no standard settlement amount for a spinal cord injury.
The compensation available depends on factors such as how the accident happened, the severity of the injury, insurance coverage, the injured person’s losses, and the parties responsible.
Depending on the case, recoverable damages may include compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Necessary medical equipment
- Home or vehicle modifications
- Future care needs
- Other accident-related losses
A serious injury claim should account for more than immediate medical bills when evidence shows that the injury will create future financial or personal losses.
Future Medical Care and Lifetime Costs
Future damages can become particularly important in catastrophic spinal cord injury cases.
An injured person may need years of medical treatment, rehabilitation, equipment, or personal assistance. Someone who cannot return to the same career may also lose substantial future earning capacity.
For that reason, attorneys handling these claims may need to examine medical opinions, treatment plans, employment history, earnings, and other evidence when assessing future losses.
Accepting a settlement without understanding those future needs can be especially consequential because a settlement generally resolves the claim.
Spinal Cord Injuries From Michigan Auto Accidents
Motor vehicle collisions are one source of serious spinal injuries. When a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian crash causes spinal cord damage, Michigan’s auto insurance laws may become an important part of the claim.
Michigan requires auto policies to include Personal Injury Protection, although the amount of PIP medical coverage can vary based on the coverage selected and eligibility for certain options.
According to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, PIP can pay allowable expenses for medical care, recovery, and rehabilitation following an auto accident. Other PIP benefits can include wage loss and replacement services.
Because coverage can differ significantly between policies, determining what insurance is available should be part of the investigation.
If your spinal cord injury resulted from a crash, learn more about Khamo Law’s:
- Michigan car accident lawyers
- Michigan truck accident lawyers
- Michigan motorcycle accident lawyers
- Michigan bicycle accident lawyers
- Michigan pedestrian accident lawyers
Why Spinal Cord Injury Claims Can Be More Complex
A minor injury claim may focus primarily on medical bills and a relatively short recovery period. A severe spinal cord injury can raise much larger questions.
For example:
Will the injured person be able to return to work?
Will future medical treatment be necessary?
Will the person need assistance with daily activities?
Will the home need modifications?
Will mobility equipment need to be replaced over time?
How has the injury changed the person’s independence and quality of life?
Answering those questions may require extensive medical and financial documentation.
Insurance companies may also have a greater incentive to dispute high-value claims. That makes careful documentation and preparation particularly important.
Michigan Deadlines for Spinal Cord Injury Claims
Waiting too long to investigate a serious injury claim can jeopardize important legal rights.
Michigan law generally provides a three-year limitations period for actions seeking damages for personal injury, although exceptions and different deadlines can apply depending on the facts and type of defendant or claim.
You can review the applicable general provision in Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5805.
The statute of limitations is not the only timing issue that can matter. Insurance claims, claims involving governmental entities, and other circumstances can involve additional requirements or deadlines.
For that reason, injured people should not assume that they automatically have three years to take every required action.
What to Do After a Serious Spinal Cord Injury
Your health should come first after a serious accident. However, several steps can also help preserve information that may later become important to a legal claim.
When possible:
- Obtain appropriate medical care
- Follow your physicians’ treatment recommendations
- Keep copies of medical and rehabilitation records
- Save bills and accident-related receipts
- Keep records showing missed work or lost income
- Preserve photographs and videos
- Keep copies of insurance correspondence
- Avoid signing an insurance settlement without understanding its effect
- Avoid posting detailed information about the accident or your recovery publicly
- Speak with an attorney if you have questions about your rights
You should also be cautious when speaking with another party’s insurance company. Statements about the accident, your injuries, or your recovery could later become part of a disputed claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Spinal Cord Injury Cases
How much is a spinal cord injury case worth in Michigan?
No single amount applies to every case. The potential value depends on the severity of the injury, medical expenses, lost income, future care needs, available insurance coverage, liability, and other case-specific factors.
Do I need a lawyer after a spinal cord injury?
Michigan law does not require every injured person to hire an attorney. However, serious spinal cord injury cases can involve complicated issues involving liability, insurance coverage, medical evidence, and future damages. Therefore, having an attorney evaluate the claim can help you understand your options and protect your interests.
What if I was partly responsible for the accident?
Partial responsibility does not necessarily prevent you from pursuing a claim. However, Michigan’s comparative-fault rules can affect the compensation available. Your percentage of fault can reduce damages and may affect your ability to recover certain noneconomic damages.
What if my spinal cord injury happened in a car accident?
Michigan’s No-Fault insurance system may provide certain PIP benefits after an auto accident. In addition, a separate claim against an at-fault driver or another responsible party may be possible depending on the circumstances. The insurance coverage and legal options available depend on the facts of the accident.
Can I recover compensation for future medical treatment?
Future medical and care costs may be considered when evidence shows that the injury will require ongoing treatment or assistance. For example, a serious injury may require future rehabilitation, medical equipment, home modifications, or personal care. The damages available depend on the circumstances of the claim.
What happens if a spinal cord injury results in death?
When an injury caused by another party results in death, surviving family members may have additional legal options. In that situation, Khamo Law’s Michigan wrongful death attorneys can evaluate whether a wrongful death claim may be available.
How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Michigan?
Michigan generally has a three-year limitations period for personal injury actions. However, exceptions and shorter deadlines can apply depending on the circumstances. Because deadlines can vary, you should determine the applicable deadline based on the specific facts of your case.
Serving Spinal Cord Injury Victims Across Michigan
Khamo Law represents injured people throughout Michigan.
Our statewide spinal cord injury practice works alongside our local personal injury representation. If you’re looking for information specific to your community, Khamo Law also has dedicated spinal cord injury resources for Troy, Sterling Heights, Southfield, Warren, Detroit, and Clinton Township.
Contact a Michigan Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today
A spinal cord injury can create medical, financial, and personal challenges that last long after the accident itself. If another person or company caused your injury, you should understand your legal options before dealing with the consequences alone.
At Khamo Law, our Michigan spinal cord injury lawyers can investigate your case, identify potentially responsible parties, deal with insurance companies, and pursue the compensation available under Michigan law.
Call (248) 466-0606 or contact Khamo Law online to schedule a free consultation.
Legally reviewed by Attorney Koro E. Khamo
Attorney at Khamo Law, PLLC