Maryland Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

A spinal cord injury can be a life-changing event, affecting everything from mobility to overall quality of life. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, ongoing rehabilitation, and significant lifestyle adjustments. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial toll it has taken.

At Regan Zambri Long, our experienced Maryland spinal cord injury attorneys are dedicated to helping victims navigate the complex legal process and secure the compensation they need for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care. We understand the challenges spinal cord injury victims face and are committed to providing compassionate, personalized legal representation.

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Maryland’s Regulations that May Affect Your Spinal Cord Injury Case

Maryland’s regulations for spinal injury claims can significantly impact case outcomes. Key elements include the state’s strict contributory negligence rule, which can bar recovery if the plaintiff is found even slightly at fault; a cap on non-economic damages that adjusts annually; and specific statutes of limitations. For workplace injuries, the Workers’ Compensation Act may apply, while claims against government entities fall under distinct tort claim acts with their own requirements. In medical malpractice cases, additional rules like the Certificate of Qualified Expert come into play. Understanding these regulations can help to pursue compensation in Maryland spinal injury cases effectively. Talk to a Maryland injury attorney at Regan Zambri Long to learn how these regulations can affect the outcome of your case.  Call today for a free case evaluation.

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury is one of the most serious kinds of  injuries a person can sustain because they often lead to permanent damage.

One of the most significant effects of a spinal cord injury is the potential loss of mobility. Many individuals with spinal cord injuries will need to rely on assistive devices such as wheelchairs for daily activities. Spinal cord injuries can also lead to chronic pain, respiratory problems, and other complications

Long-term Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury

The long-term effects of a spinal cord injury can be profound, requiring ongoing medical care, physical therapy, and even home modifications. Individuals and their families often face high medical costs and the need for specialized services to manage day-to-day challenges.

By pursuing compensation through a skilled spinal cord injury lawyer, victims can secure the financial resources necessary to cover these medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, and long-term care.

What Accidents Could Result in a Spinal Cord Injury?

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can vary greatly in severity and impact, depending on the nature of the injury and its location on the spinal cord. Understanding the different types of spinal cord injuries is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment, rehabilitation, and legal approach.

Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

One of the primary ways to classify spinal cord injuries is based on whether the injury is complete or incomplete.

A complete spinal cord injury results in a total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the injury. This means that the individual has no sensation or voluntary movement in areas of the body controlled by nerves below the injury site. Complete spinal cord injuries are often associated with more severe outcomes, such as paralysis.

In contrast, an incomplete spinal cord injury means that there is some sensory or motor function below the level of injury. Individuals with incomplete injuries may retain some degree of sensation, movement, or both. The extent of recovery varies significantly, depending on the specific injury and rehabilitation efforts.

Quadriplegia and Paraplegia

Quadriplegia occurs when the spinal cord injury is located in the cervical (neck) region. This type of injury results in paralysis that affects all four limbs (both arms and legs) and often the torso as well. Depending on the severity and exact location of the injury, individuals with quadriplegia may also experience difficulties with breathing, requiring ventilator support, and loss of bladder and bowel control.

Paraplegia is typically the result of a spinal cord injury in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions of the spine. This condition results in paralysis that affects the lower half of the body, including both legs and, in some cases, parts of the torso.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Here are some of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries:

Auto Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries. The forceful impact of a collision can lead to significant trauma to the spine, resulting in fractures, dislocations, or direct damage to the spinal cord. Whether you were the driver, passenger, or a pedestrian, if someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

  • Car Accidents: Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, and rollovers can all result in spinal cord injuries.
  • Motorcycle Accidents: Riders are particularly vulnerable to spinal injuries due to the lack of protection in a crash.
  • Truck Accidents: The size and weight of commercial trucks can cause catastrophic damage in a collision, leading to severe spinal injuries.

Falls

Falls are another leading cause of spinal cord injuries, particularly among older adults. A fall from a significant height, such as from a ladder or scaffolding, or even a slip and fall on a wet or uneven surface, can cause serious spinal damage. Property owners and employers may be held liable if their negligence contributed to the conditions that caused the fall.

  • Slip and Fall Accidents: Slippery floors, uneven sidewalks, or poorly maintained stairs can all lead to dangerous falls.
  • Falls from Heights: Construction workers and others who work at heights are at increased risk for falls that can result in not only spinal cord injuries but additional catastrophic injuries such as a brain injury.
  • Workplace Falls: Falls on the job due to unsafe conditions may result in workers’ compensation claims as well as personal injury lawsuits.

Work Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can also occur in the workplace, particularly in jobs that involve physical labor, heavy machinery, or hazardous conditions. Whether the injury is due to a fall, a machinery accident, or repetitive strain, workers have the right to seek compensation for injuries sustained on the job.

  • Construction Accidents: Falls from scaffolding, being struck by heavy equipment, or collapsing structures can lead to spinal cord injuries.
  • Industrial Accidents: Workers in factories or warehouses may suffer spinal injuries from machinery malfunctions or accidents involving heavy lifting.
  • Repetitive Strain Injuries: Repetitive motions or poor ergonomics in the workplace can lead to chronic spinal conditions over time.

Medical Malpractice

In some cases, spinal cord injuries are the result of medical malpractice. Errors during surgery, misdiagnosis, or improper treatment can lead to permanent damage to the spinal cord. When a healthcare provider’s negligence causes such an injury, victims can pursue a medical malpractice claim with the help of an experienced accident lawyer.

  • Surgical Errors: Mistakes during spinal or other surgeries can result in nerve damage or spinal cord injury.
  • Misdiagnosis: Failure to properly diagnose a condition affecting the spine, such as a tumor or infection, can lead to worsening of the condition and irreversible damage.
  • Anesthesia Errors: Improper administration of anesthesia during spinal surgery or other procedures can cause spinal cord damage.

Benefits of Working with a Maryland Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Working with a Maryland spinal cord injury lawyer offers several advantages. These attorneys have specialized knowledge of state laws and regulations concerning spinal cord injuries. They understand the medical aspects of these cases and can accurately value long-term care needs.

Contributory Negligence and Your Case

Maryland follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which can significantly impact spinal cord injury cases. Under this rule, if an injured party is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident that caused their injury, they may be barred from recovering any compensation. This makes spinal cord injury cases in Maryland particularly challenging, as defendants often try to shift some blame onto the victim to avoid liability. For example, in a car accident case, the defense might argue that the injured party was speeding or not wearing a seatbelt. In a slip and fall case, they might claim the victim wasn’t paying attention to their surroundings.

Given the severity and life-changing nature of spinal cord injuries, this harsh rule underscores the critical importance of working with an experienced Maryland spinal cord injury lawyer at Regan Zambri Long. Our attorneys can anticipate and counter contributory negligence arguments, gathering evidence and building a strong case to demonstrate that their client bears no fault for the accident.

Fight for Fair Compensation

The Maryland spinal cord injury lawyers at Regan Zambri Long have experience negotiating with insurance companies and healthcare providers and working with medical experts to build strong cases. They will seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, allowing clients to focus on recovery and rehabilitation. Our lawyers will file all relevant paperwork within Maryland’s three-year statute of limitations to protect your right to pursue legal action. Call Regan Zambri Long for a free evaluation to discuss your injuries..

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Maryland Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

If you or someone in your family recently suffered a serious accident that caused a spinal cord injury, contact our Maryland personal injury law firm for a free case review today. An experienced attorney at our firm will answer your questions and discuss your options for pursuing compensation. We work on a contingency fee, so there is no charge for the consultation, and there is no fee for our services unless we win your case.

Contact Our Maryland Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys Today

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

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