Cleveland Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys in Cleveland Who Seek the Maximum Compensation
Spinal cord injuries have a devastating effect on accident victims and their loved ones. The United Spine Association Northeast Ohio Chapter and the Ohio Department of Health provide guidance and helpful resources for spinal cord injury victims.
If you’re suffering from a spinal cord injury, contact George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law. Our personal injury law firm has been helping people in Ohio for over 30 years. We can file a claim or lawsuit to help you get the money you need to cover your medical bills and other expenses such as lost wages, occupational therapy, and in-home nursing care.
George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law has a Distinguished Peer Rating for High Professional Achievement from Martindale-Hubbell, and Super Lawyers has recognized our firm's high level of service to our clients based on peer reviews and independent research.
Call a Cleveland spinal cord injury lawyer at (216) 621-3930 to schedule a FREE consultation today.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spine serves as the main structural support for the human body, holding a person upright. This complex assembly of bones, discs, ligaments, and tendons extends from the skull to the pelvis. Your spine plays a crucial role in facilitating movement for the whole body.
The spine includes several disk-shaped bones known as vertebrae. The vertebrae surround and protect the spinal cord, which is a bundle of nerves running down the middle of the spine. These nerves send impulses to and from the brain, creating physical sensations and allowing your brain to control the body. The spine's ability to absorb shock and maintain flexibility is vital.
When spinal injuries affect the spinal cord, the implications can be profound. Damage to spinal cord may cause paralysis by disrupting the signals that control movements and sensations. Symptoms of paralysis include:
- Loss of physical sensation
- Loss of motor control
- Loss of physical sensations
- Difficulty maintaining balance
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Respiratory problems
- Reduced bone density
- Loss of sexual function
- Lack of muscle tone
- Loss of balance
- Chronic pain
What Is Paralysis?
Paralysis occurs when a person loses the ability to move certain parts of their body after a spinal cord injury. It can be categorized based on the extent and location of paralysis. Quadriplegia, also referred to as tetraplegia, involves the loss of function in all four limbs and typically results from an injury to the upper spine.
Paraplegia affects both legs and it may include also parts of the lower body. Hemiplegia is paralysis on one side of the body and can be due to damage in certain areas of the spine that affect nerve pathways controlling one side. Another type of paralysis is monoplegia, which only affects one limb. Monoplegia may stem from spinal injuries, but it can also be linked to localized nerve damage.
What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal cord injuries are often the result of traumatic events, with vehicle accidents being a leading cause. In car accidents, the sudden jolt can cause the spine to move in unnatural ways, leading to fractures, disc herniation, or spinal cord damage.
Due to the larger size and mass of semi-trucks, truck collisions often lead to catastrophic spinal cord injuries. Motorcycle accidents pose a high risk as well, given the lack of structural protection for riders.
Pedestrians struck by vehicles are also susceptible to spinal injuries. Construction accidents where workers may fall from heights or be struck by heavy machinery, contribute to a significant number of spine injuries. Additional events that cause spinal cord injuries include physical assault, sports accidents, and bicycle crashes.
The Psychological Impact of Paralysis
The loss of mobility due to paralysis has profound psychological effects, as it can significantly alter a person’s lifestyle and independence. The sudden change in physical abilities may lead to feelings of helplessness, frustration, and grief over the loss of one's former way of life. It's common for individuals to experience depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a spinal injury that leads to paralysis.
The emotional toll can be as challenging to manage as the physical symptoms, as individuals must make significant adjustments to their daily routines, work, social interactions, and personal care routine. Support from mental health professionals, as well as a strong network of family and friends, is essential for those adapting to life with paralysis.
How Your Cleveland Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Can Help
Negligence often plays a significant role in spine injuries, particularly in accidents. For instance, a driver who doesn’t adhere to traffic laws and causes a car accident may be liable for the victim’s spine injuries. In the workplace, employers who fail to provide adequate safety measures or training can also be liable for this negligent behavior if it leads to an employee's spinal injury.
To establish negligence, George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident. This may include amassing physical evidence, interviewing witnesses, collecting surveillance and dash cam video, reviewing police and accident reports, obtaining internal company documents, and creating accident scene reconstructions.
When our investigation is complete, George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law will file a claim against anyone whose negligent behavior contributed to your injuries. If the other side refuses to make a serious settlement offer, we’re always prepared to take your case to trial.
Are You Suffering From Spinal Cord Injuries?
Our Cleveland personal injury attorneys handle cases on a contingency basis, so you won’t owe us anything unless we win. We treat our clients with respect and compassion, and George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law will keep you fully aware of how your case is progressing.
Call (216) 621-3930 to learn more today.