Edmond Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Edmond, OK

Life after a spinal cord injury can be vastly different from what it was before the injury. Whether the cause was an I-35 crash, an accident at a downtown Edmond restaurant, or another preventable event, it’s essential to be aware of your legal alternatives for future planning. An Edmond spinal cord injury lawyer can help you understand how a spinal cord injury claim works, what evidence you’ll need to gather, and what to expect from the legal process.

Here When You Need Us

At Fulmer Sill, we represent individuals and families across Oklahoma and the United States who have suffered serious personal injuries. Every case is approached using a team philosophy that allows our attorneys and support staff to collaborate when investigating each claim. From preparation to trial, we use technology and personalized communication to empower those we represent and pursue substantial results.

Understanding the Impact of a Spinal Cord Injury

Your spinal cord helps your body send signals to and from your brain. When part of the spinal cord is damaged during an accident, those messages can be disrupted. Depending on which area of the spinal cord is injured, messages that control basic movement, simple tasks, or even organ function may be impaired. Many spinal cord injuries can cause the following: 

• Partial or total paralysis
• Chronic pain
• Loss of function
• Difficulty controlling bodily functions

While some people recover enough function to live independently after rehabilitation and treatment, many spinal cord injuries require round-the-clock care, ongoing treatment, and assistive devices.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, 8,083 people were enrolled in the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) Database in a 10-year period. These injuries were caused by the following:

• Vehicle accidents, which accounted for 2,981
• Falls, which accounted for 2,673
• Violence, which accounted for 1,202
• Sports and recreation, which accounted for 603

Building Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Edmond

Because spinal cord injuries can cause severe damage that requires long-term or lifetime treatment and care, one of the most important steps you can take after an injury is to document the extent of your injury.

Medical records, imaging tests, and progress reports from rehabilitation can help establish how the injury impacts your ability to move and perform daily tasks. Future medical treatment may also be possible with the opinion of medical professionals.

What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury in Edmond?

If you believe you have suffered a spinal cord injury, seek emergency medical care as soon as possible. Trying to move with a spinal injury can often cause further harm. Unless you are in immediate danger of further injury, it is usually most beneficial to wait for emergency personnel to arrive. Once you begin receiving medical care, follow all recommendations for rehabilitation and keep records of your treatment and progress.

If someone else was negligent when your accident occurred, it’s a good idea to preserve any evidence you can. Pictures of the accident scene, witness information, and police reports can help establish what happened later on. Keep records of missed work and anything else that could become useful later. In Oklahoma, you generally have two years to file a personal injury claim.

Most personal injury cases in Edmond are filed in or go through the Oklahoma County District Courthouse at 320 Robert S Kerr Avenue in Oklahoma City, OK.

Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Part of understanding your legal rights may include deciding to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer in Edmond. Spinal cord injury claims can be complex and require the collection of evidence, medical documentation, and opinions from your medical providers.

An Edmond spinal cord injury attorney can help investigate what happened, preserve evidence, calculate your losses, including future damages, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. If a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer can prepare your case for trial.

Learning about your legal rights can allow you to focus on recovery and help you understand what steps you can take to prepare for life after your injury. At Fulmer Sill, we understand spinal cord injury laws and strive to effectively represent those injured and prepare them for both the legal process and life after their injury.

FAQs About Edmond, OK Spinal Cord Injury Laws

Is Oklahoma an At-Fault State?

Yes, Oklahoma is what is known as an at-fault insurance state. This means that the person who caused the accident is responsible for paying damages to the person injured by their negligence.

The injured party can file a claim with the negligent party’s insurance company and/or file a personal injury claim to recover damages. However, Oklahoma does apply a modified comparative negligence rule, which can bar or lessen compensation if the injured party was partially at fault.

Is a Spinal Cord Injury Considered a Disability?

Yes. If you have a spinal cord injury, you may have a disability, especially if the injury has caused paralysis. Spinal cord injuries can make it difficult or impossible to walk, work, and take care of yourself. If your spinal cord injury significantly restricts one or more major life activities, you may be disabled.

How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Spinal Injury in Edmond?

The amount of compensation you can get for a spinal injury in Edmond depends on many different factors, including the severity of the injury, medical treatment costs, future care requirements, lost earnings, disability type, and pain and suffering. Higher-level spinal cord injuries that cause paralysis and require lifelong care usually involve significantly higher compensation.

What Is the Difference Between a Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury?

Complete spinal cord injuries cause paralysis and a loss of feeling below the point of injury. When the injury is incomplete, some nerve impulses can still make it past the damaged region, leading to residual movement or feeling. Patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries typically have a better chance of recovery, but each person’s situation is different.

Contact Us Today

Living with a spinal cord injury can require more than time spent in the hospital. Continued rehab, transportation services, medical equipment, and possibly long-term personal care can become part of your daily routine. Determining your future needs is a crucial aspect of every spinal cord injury claim. Contact Fulmer Sill for the legal help you need.