Back Injury Claims: Proving the Cause and Effects of Your SCI

If you have suffered a spinal cord injury (SCI) in an accident, proving the cause and effects of your injury will be key to recovering the financial compensation you deserve. You should hire an experienced Doylestown personal injury lawyer to conduct a thorough investigation, and then you will want to work closely with your lawyer to document your financial and non-financial losses.

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can have significant financial and non-financial costs for accident victims and their families. As a result, it is important for accident victims who have suffered back injuries to seek just compensation when warranted.

If you suffered an SCI in an accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to just compensation under Pennsylvania law. To seek just compensation, you will need to be able to prove the cause and effects of your back injury, and this means that you will need an experienced Doylestown personal injury lawyer on your side.

Proving the Cause of a Spinal Cord Injury

In traumatic accident cases, proving the cause of a spinal cord injury starts with conducting an investigation at the scene of the accident. Depending on the circumstances, proving the cause of your injury may involve various other steps as well. In a typical case, gathering the evidence needed to file a personal injury claim for an SCI will involve:

On-Scene Investigation

After any type of accident, it is important to conduct an investigation at the scene as soon as possible. Various forms of forensic evidence may be available, but it can disappear quickly if not properly preserved.

Interviewing Witnesses

If there were any witnesses, it will be important to try to conduct witness interviews promptly as well. Eyewitness testimony can be key evidence, but witnesses’ memories can quickly start to fade.

Subpoenaing Evidence

From bank account and cell phone records to traffic and surveillance camera footage, various forms of documentary evidence may be available to help prove why the accident happened. Obtaining this evidence may involve issuing subpoenas to various parties.

Conducting Discovery

Along with issuing subpoenas, your personal injury lawyer can also seek to gather additional evidence by conducting discovery. This is a formal legal process that becomes available once you file a personal injury lawsuit.

Accident Reconstruction

Accident reconstruction involves using the available evidence to piece together the events leading up to a serious accident. If warranted, your personal injury lawyer can hire an accident reconstructionist to help with your case.

Proving the Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury

Proving the effects of a spinal cord injury is also a multi-step process—and, here too, it is important to rely on the advice and representation of an experienced Doylestown personal injury lawyer. Once you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will be able to assist with gathering evidence including:

Medical Records, Expert Reports and Testimony

Your medical records will be key evidence for proving your diagnosis and your treatment needs—both now and in the future. Your personal injury lawyer will also most likely engage a medical expert (or multiple medical experts) to prepare reports and provide testimony regarding the long-term effects of your SCI.

Medical Bills and Receipts

Your medical bills and receipts will serve as evidence of the costs you have incurred to date. This includes not only your medical expenses, but also prescription medications, medical supplies and devices, and other out-of-pocket costs.

Employment Records

If you have missed work, your employment records will serve as evidence of your lost wages and benefits. If you will miss work in the future (or if you will not be able to return to work), your employment records will be important for calculating your lost future earnings as well.

Photos, Videos and Other Documentation

Photos and videos of your SCI and its effects can serve as powerful evidence of your pain, suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life. Accident victims should also keep a “pain journal” where they document the day-to-day effects of their injuries.

Testimony from Friends and Family

Testimony from friends and family can also serve as powerful evidence of the life-altering effects of a spinal cord injury. Your personal injury lawyer can help you decide who to ask for help, and then your lawyer can take their testimony at the appropriate time.

Dealing with the Insurance Companies

In most cases, seeking just compensation for a traumatic spinal cord injury involves filing an insurance claim. This is not an easy process, especially when you need to seek compensation for significant financial and non-financial losses. If you hire an experienced Doylestown personal injury lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will be able to deal with the insurance companies while you focus on coping with your SCI on a day-to-day basis.

FAQs: Filing a Personal Injury Claim for a Spinal Cord Injury in Pennsylvania

What types of compensation can I seek if I have a personal injury claim for a spinal cord injury?

If you have a personal injury claim for a spinal cord injury, you can seek just compensation for all of the financial and non-economic costs associated with your diagnosis. This includes your present and future medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of consortium and companionship, and loss of enjoyment of life.

How much compensation can I seek for my SCI?

The value of your personal injury claim is unique to you. Once you hire a Doylestown personal injury lawyer, your lawyer will be able to determine how much financial compensation he or she can seek on your behalf.

Is it worth hiring a personal injury lawyer if I suffered an SCI in an accident?

If you suffered an SCI in an accident, it will be well worth talking to a personal injury lawyer about your legal rights. You should schedule a free consultation promptly.

Suffered a Back Injury in an Accident? Schedule a Free Consultation with a Doylestown Personal Injury Lawyer

If you suffered an SCI in an accident in Pennsylvania, we strongly encourage you to contact us for more information. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Doylestown personal injury lawyer, call 888-777-7098 or inquire online today.