Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Maryland

Signs of Spinal Cord Injuries in Maryland

While limited movement and impaired coordination are two common symptoms of a spinal injury, they are not the only signs to watch for. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, some common signs of a spinal cord injury include:

• Loss of movement
• Complete or partial paralysis, known as tetraplegia or paraplegia
• Exaggerated reflex activities or spasms
• Changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity, and fertility
• Pain or an intense stinging sensation due to damage to the nerve fibers in the spinal cord
• Difficulty breathing, coughing, or clearing secretions from the lungs
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Numbness or tingling in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes
• Altered or loss of sensation below the level of the injury, including the inability to feel heat, cold, and pressure
  

Accident victims should seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms of a spinal cord injury. 

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

No two spinal cord injuries are alike. You need a personal injury attorney with extensive experience and a thorough understanding of the various types of spinal cord injuries and how they affect patients. The Cleveland Clinic lists several different categories of spinal cord injuries, such as:

Incomplete vs. Complete Spinal Cord Injuries

• Incomplete spinal cord injury – Occurs when the spinal cord is partially severed, allowing the injured person to retain some function below the level of the injury
• Complete spinal cord injury – Happens when the spinal cord is entirely severed, resulting in a total loss of sensation and muscle control below the injury site 

Paraplegia vs. Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia

• Paraplegia is the paralysis of the lower limbs and sometimes the lower trunk, typically resulting from injuries to the thoracic or lumbar spine. Individuals with paraplegia may retain full use of their arms and hands.
• Tetraplegia (formerly called quadriplegia) involves paralysis of all four limbs, often along with parts of the trunk. This condition usually results from injuries to the cervical spine and affects not just limb movement, but sometimes essential functions like breathing.

Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries in Maryland

When a spinal cord injury results from someone’s negligence, recklessness, or legal wrongdoing, Maryland law says the accident victim may be able to file a personal injury claim seeking compensation from the at-fault party. 

If a spinal cord injury happens at work, the injured employee may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation pays for medical expenses, a portion of lost income, and rehabilitation benefits until the worker can return to the job. These are no-fault benefits, which means it doesn’t matter who is responsible for the injury. However, the compensation from a workers’ comp claim is limited to financial losses only.

A personal injury claim allows a spinal cord injury victim to seek compensation for a broader range of losses, including:

• Past, ongoing, and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity and benefits
• Diminished quality of life
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Note that Maryland is a contributory negligence state when it comes to accident cases. That means that if an injured person is found to be even one percent responsible for their injury, they cannot recover compensation. Establishing liability and gathering persuasive evidence is vital to maximizing a settlement offer from the insurance company. A skilled Maryland spinal cord injury lawyer can help prepare your claim and demand maximum compensation from the insurer. 

Maryland Statue of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Claims

Under Maryland law, you have three years from the date of a spinal cord injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Workers’ compensation claims have different notification requirements and deadlines. In limited cases, a person might have both a personal injury and a workers’ compensation claim for the same injury. Contacting a spinal cord injury lawyer in Maryland right away is crucial to pursue full and fair compensation.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Maryland Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

At Trollinger Law LLC, we know you’re going through a lot. Let us help lighten the load. Contact us today to learn your legal options in a free case review.