A sudden, devastating event has altered the course of your life. The aftermath of a severe accident has left you with a spinal cord injury, a diagnosis that redefines your daily reality.
While doctors and therapists focus on your physical recovery, you are left to face the mounting financial pressures and the emotional weight of a future that looks vastly different than you imagined.
After a Pittsburgh catastrophic injury caused by someone else's carelessness, securing your future requires more than just medical care. It requires a powerful legal advocate to fight for the total compensation you need to live with dignity and security.
Pittsburgh Catastrophic Injuries Guide
- The Reality of a Spinal Cord Injury
- The Far-Reaching Consequences of a Spinal Cord Injury
- Physical and Medical Challenges at Home
- Financial Devastation from a Catastrophic Injury
- The Emotional and Psychological Toll
- Legal Options After a Spinal Cord Injury in Pennsylvania
- Proving Negligence in a Catastrophic Injury Claim
- Types of Compensation
- Why Choose Pribanic & Pribanic for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case?
- Our Commitment to You and Your Family
- Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injury Claims
- A Consultation Can Make the Difference
The Reality of a Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury (SCI) involves damage to the bundle of nerves within the spinal canal that transmits signals between your brain and the rest of your body. When this vital communication pathway is disrupted or severed, the consequences are profound and permanent.
- Complete spinal cord injury: This means there is a total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the injury. Both sides of the body are equally affected.
- Incomplete spinal cord injury: In this type of injury, the spinal cord's ability to convey messages is not entirely lost. A person may have some sensation or motor function below the injury site, which can vary significantly from person to person.
These life-altering injuries most often result from a traumatic event where another party's negligence was a factor.
The Far-Reaching Consequences of a Spinal Cord Injury
When you return home from the hospital, the true scope of a spinal cord injury becomes clear. The challenges extend far beyond the initial medical treatment and impact every facet of your existence.
Physical and Medical Challenges at Home
Your home environment must now adapt to your medical needs, and your daily routine is dictated by a demanding care regimen.
- Paralysis: You may be facing tetraplegia (paralysis of all four limbs) or paraplegia (paralysis of the lower body), requiring the use of a wheelchair and other mobility aids.
- Chronic pain: Neuropathic pain is a common and difficult side effect, often described as a burning or stinging sensation.
- Respiratory issues: Injuries to the cervical (neck) or thoracic (upper back) spine can weaken the chest and abdominal muscles, making breathing and coughing difficult and increasing the risk of pneumonia.
- Loss of autonomic functions: Many individuals with SCIs struggle with bladder and bowel control, requiring catheterization and specialized programs.
- Secondary health complications: You face a lifelong risk of pressure sores, blood clots, and infections that require constant vigilance and care.
Financial Devastation from a Catastrophic Injury
The financial burden of a spinal cord injury is immense and immediate. The costs are not a one-time event but a lifelong financial commitment that can exhaust family savings and create tremendous stress.
- Initial medical bills: The costs for the initial hospitalization, surgeries, and acute care can easily reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
- Ongoing medical care: You will require a lifetime of follow-up appointments, medications, therapies, and potential future surgeries.
- Assistive technology: The cost of a customized power wheelchair, ramps, vehicle modifications, and smart home technology is substantial.
- Personal care assistance: You may need round-the-clock or part-time help with daily activities like dressing, bathing, and meal preparation.
- Loss of income and earning capacity: If you are unable to return to your previous job, you lose your primary source of income. Your ability to earn a living in the future may be permanently diminished or eliminated.
The Emotional and Psychological Toll
The invisible wounds of a spinal cord injury are just as significant as the physical ones. The emotional impact on you and your family can be profound as you adjust to a new normal.
- Loss of independence: Relying on others for personal care and daily tasks can be a difficult adjustment that impacts self-esteem.
- Mental health challenges: Rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are higher among individuals with SCIs.
- Strained relationships: The dynamics within your family and friendships can change. Spouses, parents, or children may become caregivers, altering the nature of your relationships.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: The inability to participate in hobbies, sports, and social activities that you once loved can lead to feelings of isolation and grief.
Legal Options After a Spinal Cord Injury in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law allows you to hold a person or company legally and financially responsible if their negligent or reckless actions caused your spinal cord injury. Securing the resources for a lifetime of care depends on your ability to build a successful personal injury claim against the at-fault party.
Proving Negligence in a Catastrophic Injury Claim
To win your case, your legal team must demonstrate four key elements. The evidence must clearly show that the other party is responsible for the harm you have suffered.
- A duty of care existed: The person who caused your injury had a legal obligation to act with reasonable caution. For example, a driver has a duty to obey traffic laws and pay attention to the road.
- The duty was breached: The person failed to uphold that duty. A driver who was texting, speeding, or driving under the influence has breached their duty of care.
- The breach caused your injury: There must be a direct link between the person's wrongful action and your spinal cord injury. We must show that you would not have been hurt without their negligence.
- You suffered damages: As a result of the injury, you incurred significant losses. These include your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
Types of Compensation
A successful claim provides compensation, known as damages, for every loss you have endured and will endure in the future. A thorough case accounts for a lifetime of needs.
Economic damages: These are tangible financial losses that can be calculated and proven with documents like bills, receipts, and income statements.
- All past, current, and future medical expenses
- Costs of physical, occupational, and vocational therapy
- Lost wages from the time of the injury onward
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Costs for a life care plan, including in-home nursing or attendant care
- Funds for home and vehicle modifications
- The price of wheelchairs, braces, and other assistive equipment
Non-economic damages: This compensation is for the intangible, personal losses that have dramatically affected your quality of life.
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium (the impact on your spousal relationship)
Why Choose Pribanic & Pribanic for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case?
When your future is on the line, the law firm you choose is one of your most significant decisions. You need a team with the experience, resources, and unwavering resolve to take on powerful insurance companies and secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
For decades, Pribanic & Pribanic has been the firm that families in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania turn to after a catastrophic injury.
- Focused experience: We have a deep history of handling catastrophic injury claims, including those involving spinal cord damage. We know the medical science, the economic principles of life care planning, and the legal strategies required to win.
- Record of results: Our attorneys have secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for clients facing life-altering injuries. This track record demonstrates our ability to deliver the resources our clients need.
- The resources to win: A successful SCI case requires a team of professionals. We work with leading medical providers, life care planners, economists, and accident reconstructionists to build a persuasive claim that details the full lifetime cost of your injury.
Our Commitment to You and Your Family
We know you are going through the most difficult time of your life. Our mission is to lift the legal and financial burdens from your shoulders so you can concentrate on what matters most: your health and your family.
- Personal attention: When you become our client, you work directly with our accomplished attorneys. We believe in open communication and are always available to answer your questions and provide updates on your case.
- A comprehensive strategy: We manage every detail of your claim, from the initial investigation and evidence gathering to aggressive negotiations with the insurance company. If they refuse to offer a fair settlement, we are always prepared to present your case to a jury.
- No fee unless we win: We handle all spinal cord injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs or attorney's fees. We only receive a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injury Claims
How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, this deadline can have exceptions, and waiting can be detrimental to your case.
- Evidence can disappear over time.
- Witness memories can fade.
- A prompt investigation is key to building the strongest possible case.
It is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover damages as long as you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident that caused your injury.
- Your total compensation award will decrease by your percentage of fault.
- If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation.
How much is my spinal cord injury case worth?
There is no "average" settlement amount because every case is different. The value of your claim depends on a wide range of factors unique to your situation.
- The severity of your injury and your long-term prognosis
- Your age and life expectancy
- The total amount of your past and future medical bills
- The extent of your lost income and diminished earning capacity
- The clarity of the evidence proving the other party's fault
- The impact of the injury on your quality of life
Will I have to go to court?
The majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court. However, insurance companies are far more likely to offer a fair settlement when they know your attorneys have the skill and willingness to take a case to trial and win.
- We prepare every case as if it will go before a jury.
- This thorough preparation gives us the ultimate leverage during negotiations.
- Our goal is to secure the best possible outcome for you, whether that is through a settlement or a verdict.
How can I afford a skilled lawyer for my catastrophic injury case?
You do not need to worry about the cost of hiring our firm. The contingency fee arrangement removes any financial barrier to accessing dedicated legal representation.
- You pay nothing upfront to hire us.
- Our firm advances all the costs of investigating and pursuing your case, which can be substantial.
- We receive a fee, calculated as a percentage of the total recovery, only if and when we win your case. If you do not get paid, we do not get paid.
What accidents commonly cause catastrophic injuries?
A spinal cord injury often results from a sudden, traumatic impact.
We represent clients whose injuries occurred because of another party's negligence in a wide range of accidents, including:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Collisions involving cars, commercial trucks, and motorcycles are a leading cause of SCIs.
- Falls: Falls from heights on construction sites or slip and fall accidents on poorly maintained property can easily damage the spinal cord.
- Acts of Violence: Gunshot wounds or physical assaults can directly sever or damage the spinal cord.
- Medical Malpractice: Surgical errors, anesthesia mistakes, or a failure to diagnose a condition like a spinal tumor can lead to permanent paralysis.
- Recreational and Sports Accidents: Impacts from diving into shallow water or defects in sporting equipment or failure to enforce rules can cause devastating spinal injuries.
What is a life care plan and why is it important for my case?
A life care plan is a comprehensive document that outlines your projected medical and non-medical needs for the rest of your life. It projects costs for items like future surgeries, medication, therapy, in-home nursing care, wheelchairs, home modifications, and assistive technologies.
We use this plan to demonstrate the full financial scope of your injury to an insurance company or jury.
What is the difference between economic and non-economic damages?
- Economic damages are compensation for your measurable financial losses. They include all past and future medical bills, lost income, and diminished earning capacity. We prove these with documents like invoices, pay stubs, and expert financial reports.
- Non-economic damages compensate you for the profound, non-financial ways the injury has impacted your life, such as physical pain, emotional distress, and the loss of ability to enjoy hobbies and daily activities.
Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?
You should never accept an initial settlement offer without first consulting an experienced catastrophic injury attorney.
The first offer from an at-fault party's insurer is almost always far less than the true value of your claim. Insurers aim to settle cases quickly and for the lowest amount possible, often before you understand the full extent of your future medical needs and financial losses.
A Consultation Can Make the Difference
The actions you take today will determine your financial security and quality of life for years to come. A spinal cord injury presents unimaginable challenges, but you do not have to face them alone.
The legal team at Pribanic & Pribanic is ready to stand with you, fight for you, and provide the powerful advocacy you need to reclaim your future.
Allow us to handle the legal battle so you can dedicate your energy to your recovery. Contact our Pittsburgh personal injury lawyer today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case.
We are here to help from our office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at (412) 281-8844.