Shreveport Injury Lawyer > Blog > Spine Injury > Seeking Damages For A Louisiana Spinal Injury

Seeking Damages For A Louisiana Spinal Injury

Whether in a vehicle crash or another incident, sustaining a spinal injury can change someone’s life. Even if the harm suffered does not result in tetraplegia (losing the use of all four limbs), it may still leave someone with a disability, lifelong trauma, or both – and if the incident allegedly happened because of another person’s negligence, it can feel like rubbing salt in the proverbial wound. You have the right to seek damages for what you have been through.

A Shreveport spinal injury attorney can help you determine the best path forward for you and your family. We can access your records and make the legal process a bit smoother while giving you the best possible odds of success.

Countless Causes & Effects

Spinal injuries can be devastating for both children and adults. Statistics from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) estimate that approximately 18,000 new SCI cases occur every year, of which roughly 75 percent are male. There are a host of different causes for these injuries, though some of the most common include vehicle crashes, falls (particularly among the elderly, but anyone may experience an accidental fall), and being a victim of a crime of violence.

Everyone who has sustained any kind of spinal injury will experience significantly different levels of physical functioning. Statistics show that nearly half of new SCI cases result in incomplete tetraplegia, which means that all four limbs are affected, but one still retains some degree of nerve function in the body itself. Compare this to paraplegia, where only two limbs are affected, and complete para- or tetraplegia, where there is no nerve functioning of any kind within the affected area of the body.

Regardless of how extensive your spinal injury may be, you have the right to seek money damages if you believe it was caused by someone else’s negligence. In Louisiana, you may seek not only economic damages like medical bills and lost wages, but also some intangible damages such as pain and suffering – for example, depression is much more common in people with spinal injuries than in people without them. Such conditions can be actionable.

Act Fast

If you decide to file a lawsuit against the person who allegedly caused your spinal injury, know that it is very difficult to do so alone. One thing that is crucial to be aware of is that Louisiana law only permits a “liberative prescription” (roughly equivalent to a statute of limitations) of one year from the date of the incident. Given that it is not uncommon for spinal injuries to only manifest weeks or months after physical trauma to the body, this can make your time frame for filing suit very, very tight.

No matter how long your time frame may feel, it is important to act quickly. Rice & Kendig has experience with these matters, and we are ready to shoulder the legal load for you while you focus on recovery. Contact us today via our website, or on the phone at 318-222-2772 for a free consultation.

Sources:

legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=110515

medicine.umich.edu/sites/default/files/content/downloads/NSCISC%20SCI%20Facts%20and%20Figures%202021.pdf

By Rice & Kendig, LLC | Posted on June 27, 2022

« Have You Been In A Louisiana Boating Accident?

Have You Been In A Pedestrian Accident On Louisiana Roads? »

What our Clients Are Saying About Us

"I was hesitant about hiring an attorney and filing a lawsuit, however Mr. Rice made me feel comfortable about my decision from day one, assuring me that I was doing..." Read More

Christy S.

"Outstanding service and extremely good at what they do. Everyone on their staff was extremely helpful and helped with whatever I needed. Would encourage anyone in need of a personal..." Read More

Cody A.

"They are fantastic! They took great care of me and made sure that they kept me updated through the entire process. They worked extremely hard, and did everything that they..." Read More

Emily K.

"Rice & Kendig are the best! I love the professionalism and how they do all the work in a timely manner. I love the outstanding team they have and how..." Read More

Shawn S.

Recent Results

$5,100,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client’s motorcycle was hit by a car leaving him in the ICU with facial injuries, arm injuries, and amputation of one leg.

$1,996,460

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was rear-ended while sitting at a stop sign. Neck and back injuries resulting in headaches and disability. Neck injury required surgery.

$1,855,500.80

Motor Vehicle Collision

Defendant driver’s failure to stop at a stop sign caused a collision injuring the client’s leg and ankle (required surgery), knee, hip, back, and chest. The airbags deployed, causing airbag injuries.

$1,800,000

Medical Malpractice

Inadequate life-saving staffing at emergency C-section resulted in child with cerebral palsy, spastic quadriplegia, and developmental delays.

$1,500,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was hit head-on by a delivery truck sustaining injuries to the knee, hand, neck, and back. Neck injury required surgery.

$1,400,000

Workplace Injury

A piece of loading equipment fell on client causing spinal injuries resulting in partial disability.

$1,375,000

Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Collision

Client sustained injuries to head, leg and wrist. Client’s broken leg required surgery. In addition, client sought treatment with a neurologist for his head injury and cognitive issues.

$1,151,000

Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was struck by a vehicle in a gas station parking lot. Client suffered head and brain damage resulting in memory loss.

$1,000,000

18-Wheeler Collision

Client was rear-ended by a drunk driver of an 18-wheeler causing client to suffer short-term memory loss and injuries to the head, neck, shoulders, and back.

$1,000,000

Insurance Bad Faith

Insurance company refused to pay for hail damage to a commercial property.

$1,000,000

Premises Liability

Fall at a hotel convention center caused hand, neck, and low back injuries resulting in a 7-year recovery period.

$1,000,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was hit by a commercial vehicle that ran a stop sign. Injuries to the knee, neck, and back requiring interventional pain management.

$987,610.32

18-Wheeler Collision

Client was rear-ended multiple times by a big rig causing PTSD, spinal injuries requiring spinal fusion surgery, physical therapy, and counseling.

$987,525.93

18-Wheeler Collision

Logging truck’s failure to yield caused client to suffer fractures in the arm and leg, amputation of 3 toes, and shoulder injuries.

$950,000

18-Wheeler Collision

Client was hit by a delivery truck and the vehicle rolled over. Client’s injuries included six broken ribs and a neck injury requiring extensive medical treatment.

$950,000

18-Wheeler Collision

18-wheeler driver turned left, without the protection of a green arrow, in front of client. The collision caused injuries to the hand, neck, shoulder, low back, hip, foot, ankle, and eye.

$800,606.26

Motor Vehicle Collision

A defendant driver turned left, without the protection of a green arrow, into client’s vehicle causing a collision that resulted in a severely broken leg that required immediate surgery, post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of independence, and loss of job.

$800,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Head-on collision that left client with back and neck injuries as well as seat belt injuries. Client’s recovery was lengthy and included physical therapy and injections.

$750,000

Wrongful Death/Medical Malpractice

Child suffered fatal injuries due to complications with anesthesia.

$685,000

Premises Liability

Client sustained two broken legs from a fall over an unreasonably dangerous tripping hazard.

$665,000

Motor Vehicle Collision/Wrongful Death

Client went to the aid of a vehicle accident victim and was struck and killed by a passing vehicle.

$663,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was backed into while on the job at an oil field site. Collision resulted in numerous back and neck injuries requiring surgeries.

$650,000

18-Wheeler Collision

18-wheeler driver was rear-ended by another 18-wheeler causing headaches and neck injury.

$625,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Head-on collision led to wrist and hand injuries that required surgery, seat belt injuries, pain in the neck, sternum, pelvis, abdomen, shoulder, and back, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

$550,000

18-Wheeler Collision

Client was rear-ended by a big rig causing low back and neck pain; physical recovery and treatment included injections, physical therapy, and counseling.