Lakeland Spinal Injury Lawyer

If a back injury has left you with financial damages and other losses, contact a spine injury attorney in Lakeland, Florida, to find out if you’re eligible for an injury claim.

Getting into an accident is always a serious matter. While injuries like broken bones or scars are frightening and difficult to deal with, few types of damages are as serious as spinal injuries. Not only are these injuries painful, but they also have the potential to seriously decrease your quality of life and your financial stability. According to data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center’s (NSCISC) 2018 SCI Data Sheet, there are about 17,700 new spinal cord injury cases each year and around 288,000 people currently living with SCI in the U.S.

But if the accident you were involved in was the result of another person’s reckless, negligent, or malicious actions, it shouldn’t be your responsibility to deal with the damages alone. The law is on your side, and you have every right to take legal action to recover compensation.

That’s what the attorneys at Lopez & Humphries, PA are here for. We understand that the legal system is complex, and our Lakeland spinal injury lawyers will happily represent your interests throughout the proceedings, allowing you to focus on your recovery and move forward with your life after the back injury.

Why It’s Important to File an Injury Claim

Many victims believe that injuries are simply a part of life and that they must deal with the aftermath of the accident on their own. However, if another person caused your damages, you have every right to file a personal injury claim, and it’s crucial that you do so.

Spinal injuries, in particular, can have symptoms that range from mild to severe. In extreme cases, a back injury could lead to a complete case of paralysis. Taking care of these injuries often leads to significant financial setbacks, especially regarding steep medical bills.

Most Common Types of Spine Injuries

Your spine injury attorney will need a solid diagnosis from your doctor regarding the nature and extent of your back injury. This information will play a crucial role in building the rest of your case, as it will set the foundation for determining what your settlement should be, and it will indicate how the other party behaved negligently and affected your quality of life.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, every year, approximately 18,000 Americans acquire a traumatic spinal cord injury. The Statistical Center has collected data on patients with traumatic SCI treated at the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems since the 1970s.

Of those included in the database, roughly 79% are men, and the average age at injury is 43. Most traumatic spinal cord injuries happen because of a vehicle accident (37.6%), followed closely by falls (31.5%), trailed by violence (15.4%), sports (8.3%), and medical/surgical causes (3.6%)

Some of the most common types of back injuries seen in personal injury claims include the following:

• Herniated, collapsed, or ruptured discs
• Back strains, sprains, or spasms
• Inability to breathe without the assistance of a respiratory machine
• Vertebrae or compression fractures
• Spinal nerve damage
• Partial or complete paralysis

What Caused Your Spinal Damage?

Another crucial part of building your case will be reviewing the evidence and determining what caused your injuries. Determining the nature of the accident will provide your Lakeland spinal injury lawyer with the information necessary to build a solid, viable argument for your compensation.

Some common causes of severe spinal damage are as follows:

• Repetitive motion injuries
• Being forced to lift heavy items
• Automobile accidents
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Nursing home abuse

Damages Recovered for a Spine Injury

After reviewing how your injuries were sustained and the extent of your back injury, your lawyer will seek the financial compensation you’re entitled to. Collecting damages will ensure that your quality of life is preserved and that you face as little financial upheaval as possible.

These benefits may include any of the following that apply to your case:

• Present, past, and future expenses for medical care
• Wages lost and decreased earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death benefits

Having an attorney on your side for this aspect of the case is crucial. The insurance company will be doing everything in their power to provide you with the smallest payment possible, and if you choose to seek benefits on your own, you might miss out on crucial types of compensation that you need but didn’t think to ask for.

Frequently Asked Questions: Spinal Injury Claims in Lakeland, Florida

1. How much is a spinal injury lawsuit worth in Florida?

It depends on the severity of your injury, your medical expenses, and the impact on your ability to work.

A herniated disc case may settle for tens of thousands, while paralysis cases can reach multi-million dollar recoveries.

A Lakeland spinal injury lawyer can evaluate your specific situation and give you a realistic estimate.

2. Can I sue for a spinal injury if the accident was partially my fault in Florida?

Yes. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule; you can still recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50% at fault.

Your recovery will simply be reduced by your percentage of responsibility, which makes having an experienced attorney on your side especially important.

3. How long do I have to file a spinal injury claim in Florida?

Two years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline will likely permanently bar your right to compensation, so it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.

4. What if my spinal injury symptoms didn’t show up right away?

This is very common; pain, numbness, and loss of mobility can take days or weeks to appear after an accident.

See a doctor immediately, regardless of how you feel, and document everything. Delays in medical treatment give insurance companies grounds to dispute your claim.

5. Will I have to go to court for my spinal injury case in Lakeland?

Most cases settle before reaching a courtroom. However, López & Humphries prepare every case as if it will go to trial, giving them real leverage in negotiations and ensuring clients are never pressured into an unfair settlement.

6. What types of compensation can I recover after a spinal cord injury in Florida?

You may be able to recover medical bills, future care costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

Because spinal injuries often require lifelong care, accurately calculating future damages is one of the most critical parts of your case.

7. How do I choose the right spinal injury lawyer in Lakeland, Florida?

Look for proven experience with serious spinal injury cases, significant results, and strong client communication.

López & Humphries, P.A. has 86 combined years of experience, has recovered millions for Central Florida injury victims, and offers free consultations. Call (863) 243-6744 to get started.

Contact a Lakeland Back Injury Attorney

If you are ready to take legal action against the liable party for your back injury or paralysis, Lopez & Humphries, PA is standing by and ready to help. Our attorneys are committed to your success, and we will do everything in our power to obtain the successful outcome you deserve.

Give us a call today at (863) 774-3573 or fill out the online contact form at the bottom of the page to arrange a free consultation with a Lakeland spine injury lawyer.

Citations

National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center – Facts and Figures at a glance
https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/public/Facts%20and%20Figures%202024%20-%20Final.pdf

United Spinal Cord Association:What is a Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder

https://unitedspinal.org/what-is-spinal-cord-injury-disorder-scid