If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in Fort Worth, you may be facing immense physical challenges, emotional distress, and worries about the future. Simple tasks may now seem impossible, and questions about medical bills, lost income, and long-term care can feel overwhelming.
The road ahead might seem unclear, but you do not have to face it alone. Having a knowledgeable Fort Worth spinal cord injury attorney on your side can make a significant difference. DFW Injury Lawyers is here to listen, guide you, and fight for the resources you need to move forward.
Call us today at (817) 646-2527 for a free consultation, or contact us online.
Why Choose DFW Injury Lawyers for Your Fort Worth Spinal Cord Injury Case?
Choosing the right Fort Worth spinal cord injury attorney after a devastating injury is a critical decision. You need a firm that understands the unique challenges of spinal cord injury cases and is committed to fighting for you.
At DFW Injury Lawyers, we focus on representing people who have suffered serious harm due to others' negligence. We know that spinal cord injury (SCI) cases involve complex medical issues and require a deep understanding of the long-term physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Our team of experienced spinal cord injury attorneys understands what it takes to build a strong claim.
We approach every case with compassion and determination. We take the time to listen to your story, understand your needs, and answer your questions in plain language.
Our firm is based right here in the DFW area. We know Fort Worth, we know Tarrant County, and we understand the local courts and legal landscape.
At DFW Injury Lawyers, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality legal representation. Call us today at (817) 646-2527 to discuss your options, or contact us online.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered in a Spinal Cord Injury Case?
Since spinal cord injuries have such profound and lasting effects, the potential compensation (called "damages") can be substantial. The goal is to recover funds that cover both your current losses and your expected future needs. In Texas, damages can be sought for:
- Past medical expenses like hospital bills, surgeries, therapy, and medications
- Future medical expenses for ongoing care, therapy, future surgeries, medications, assistive devices, and home health aides
- Past lost wages
- Future lost earning capacity
- Costs of modifying your home or vehicle
- Costs of wheelchairs, adaptive equipment, and other necessary devices
- Vocational rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
In some rare cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional harm, punitive damages might be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
Calculating the full value of an SCI claim requires careful analysis from a Fort Worth spinal cord injury lawyer. The team at DFW Injury Lawyers works diligently to ensure all your losses are accounted for when pursuing compensation.
Important Steps To Take After a Spinal Cord Injury in Fort Worth
While dealing with the immediate aftermath, there are a few things you can do to protect your well-being and potential legal rights.
Follow all medical advice, attend all appointments, and focus on your physical recovery. Your health is the top priority. Additionally, insurers may point to missed appointments as a way to downplay your injuries and lower your payout.
Keep any photos or videos of the accident scene, damaged vehicles, or unsafe conditions. Save contact information for any witnesses. Keep copies of all medical bills and records related to the injury.
Be cautious with insurance companies. Avoid giving recorded statements or signing any documents from the at-fault party's insurance adjuster without first speaking to a Fort Worth spinal cord injury attorney. Don’t post about your case or injury on social media. Insurance companies often check social media, and anything you post could potentially be used against your claim.
Contact a Fort Worth spinal cord injury attorney. The sooner you get legal advice, the better. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights, preserve crucial evidence, and navigate the complex legal and insurance processes.
How Can a Fort Worth Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Help You?
Navigating the aftermath of an SCI is incredibly complex. While you focus on healing and adjusting, dealing with insurance companies and legal procedures can feel impossible. This is where having the right legal support becomes crucial. A Fort Worth spinal cord injury lawyer can take that burden off your shoulders.
Here’s how our team at DFW Injury Lawyers can assist you:
- Investigating your injury: We figure out exactly how the injury happened. Was it a negligent driver in a car accident on I-35W? What about a dangerous condition causing a fall at a Fort Worth property? Did someone make a mistake during surgery at a local hospital? We gather police reports, witness statements, medical records, and other evidence to understand who was responsible and hold them accountable.
- Proving fault (negligence): Just because an accident happened doesn't automatically mean you have a legal claim. We work hard to show that someone else was careless or reckless (negligent) and that their actions directly caused the spinal cord injury.
- Dealing with insurance companies: Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company—not you. Their goal is often to pay out as little as possible. They might pressure you into a quick, low settlement or try to get you to say something that hurts your claim. Your spinal cord attorney acts as your shield and advocate, handling all communication with insurers and protecting your rights.
- Calculating damages: We work to understand the full impact of the SCI on your life, now and in the future. This involves not just adding up current medical bills but projecting future medical needs, calculating lost earning capacity over your lifetime, figuring the cost of necessary modifications and care, and placing a value on your pain, suffering, and changed quality of life. We may consult with medical professionals, life care planners, and financial analysts to build a strong case for the full compensation you deserve.
Many SCI cases are resolved through negotiation. Your lawyer will present a strong case to the responsible party's insurance company and fight for a settlement that covers your extensive needs.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we’re prepared to file a lawsuit and represent you in court. We’ll handle all the legal procedures, present evidence, and argue your case before a judge or jury.
Having a lawyer from DFW Injury Lawyers means having someone fighting for your best interests every step of the way. Call us at (817) 646-2527 to discuss how we can help.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in North Texas
Spinal cord injuries can result from many different types of incidents. In the Fort Worth and greater DFW area, some common causes include:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes are some common causes of traumatic spinal cord injuries. Speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, or violating traffic laws can lead to collisions with enough force to damage the spine.
If you need a Fort Worth car accident spinal cord injury lawyer, we can help.
Falls
Falls from heights (like on a construction site) or even a slip and fall from level ground can cause SCIs. Property owners may be responsible if they fail to maintain a safe environment.
Acts of Violence
Gunshot wounds or stabbings that affect the spinal column can lead directly to SCIs. Other acts of violence may also lead to a spinal cord injury.
Sports and Recreational Injuries
High-impact sports like football, diving into shallow water, or trampoline accidents can sometimes result in a spinal cord injury.
Medical or Surgical Errors
Mistakes during spinal surgery, errors in diagnosing conditions like spinal tumors or infections, or improper procedures can cause or worsen spinal cord damage.
No matter how the injury occurred, if someone else's carelessness or wrongful act was the cause, you may have the right to seek compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know you likely have many questions during this difficult time. Here are answers to some common concerns people have when considering legal action after a spinal cord injury.
How Much Compensation Can I Expect To Receive for My Spinal Cord Injury?
There isn't a single average amount or a simple formula to calculate how much your specific spinal cord injury case may be worth. Each person's situation is unique, and the value depends on many different factors.
Some of the key things that influence the potential compensation include:
- The severity of your injury: Is it a complete or incomplete injury? What level of function has been lost?
- Medical costs: This includes all past bills and the estimated costs of all future medical care you will likely need for the rest of your life.
- Lost income and earning ability: How much income have you already lost because you can't work? How much income are you projected to lose over your working lifetime due to the injury?
- Impact on your daily life: This considers your physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of independence, inability to enjoy hobbies or activities, and the overall change in your quality of life.
- Who was at fault: How clear is the evidence that someone else's negligence caused the injury? Were you potentially partially at fault?
Our job at DFW Injury Lawyers is to carefully evaluate all these factors, often working with medical and financial professionals, to determine the full extent of your damages and fight for the maximum compensation possible for your specific circumstances.
We can discuss the potential value range of your case during your free consultation.
How Long Do I Have To File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas has strict time limits for filing personal injury lawsuits, known as the statute of limitations. Generally, for most personal injury cases, including those involving spinal cord injuries, you have two years from the date the injury occurred to file a lawsuit.
If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation through the court system forever, no matter how strong your case is.
Two years might seem like a long time, but investigating an SCI case, gathering evidence, and preparing a claim takes time. It's very important not to wait. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible after the injury allows them to preserve evidence, talk to witnesses while memories are fresh, and ensure all deadlines are met.
Call DFW Injury Lawyers at (817) 646-2527 right away to protect your rights.
What if I Think I Might Have Been Partly at Fault for the Accident That Caused My Injury? Can I Still Get Compensation?
This is a really important question, and the answer in Texas is maybe. Texas follows a rule called proportionate responsibility, sometimes known as the 51% rule. This means that even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you might still be able to recover compensation from the other party as long as your share of the fault is determined to be 50% or less.
Don't assume you cannot recover anything just because you think you might share some blame. Determining fault percentages can be complicated and often involves detailed investigation.
It's very important to discuss the details of your accident with an attorney at DFW Injury Lawyers. We can evaluate the situation based on Texas law and advise you on your options.
How Long Will My Spinal Cord Injury Case Take To Resolve?
It's natural to want a clear timeline, but spinal cord injury cases are often complex, and the time it takes to reach a conclusion can vary greatly. There isn't one set timeframe, as each case depends on its own unique set of facts.
Some cases might settle relatively quickly (within several months), while others, especially those that involve severe injuries with lifelong consequences or disputes over who was at fault, can take much longer.
Contact DFW Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
The legal team at DFW Injury Lawyers is ready to stand by your side, fight for your rights, and help you secure the resources needed for your future care and well-being. We understand the challenges you face and are committed to seeking the justice and compensation you deserve.
Let us handle the legal battle so you can focus on what matters most—your health and your family.
Call (817) 646-2527 today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Fort Worth, or contact us online.