Brownsville Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

Hundreds of thousands of Americans live with spinal cord injuries (SCIs), and many of them live right here in Brownsville. Any number of circumstances can result in a Brownsville resident or worker suffering an SCI, from a car wreck on I-69E to a boating accident on the Goose Island Passing Basin.

No matter how a spinal cord injury happens, however, it invariably takes a heavy toll on the victim and his or her family, friends, and community. Physical discomfort, mental anguish, long-term health complications, and massive expenses frequently accompany an SCI.

Facing those challenges is difficult anytime, but it’s particularly taxing when a spinal cord injury results from someone else’s bad decisions or dangerous actions. If that’s what happened to you or a loved one, you may have the right to receive substantial financial compensation.

To find out more, contact the Brownsville spinal cord injury attorneys at Kenny Perez Law today. We have helped hundreds of Brownsville spinal cord injury victims like you secure the money they need to pay for their care and move forward with their lives.

Brownsville Spinal Cord Injury Overview

The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that transmits messages between the brain and the body. It’s protected by the spinal column, which consists of bones (called vertebrae) sandwiched between jelly-filled disks that allow for it to flex.

The spinal column ordinarily protects the spinal cord. However, a violent blow or penetrating injury (like a gunshot wound) can damage the column and the cord running through it, interrupting the cord’s ability to transmit signals.

Doctors recognize two general categories of SCIs:

• Complete spinal cord injuries totally block transmission signals at the site of the injury, leading to complete loss of movement and feeling in the parts of the body connected to the cord below that site. Around half of SCIs are classified as complete.
• Incomplete spinal cord injuries allow for some transmission of signals past the site of the injury, resulting in a partial loss of sensation and function to affected parts of the body.

Generally speaking, the higher up (closer to the neck) the location of a spinal cord injury, the more parts of the body the injury will affect.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Brownsville, TX

As we mentioned above, spinal cord injuries in Brownsville happen in lots of ways. At Kenny Perez Law, many of our clients have suffered their injuries in:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

The most common cause of a spinal cord injury is a motor vehicle accident. Around 31.5 percent of all SCIs result from crashes, especially violent, high-speed accidents or those involving vulnerable victims like pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycle riders, or passengers in small vehicles struck by larger ones.

Falls

The second most common cause of a spinal cord injury is a fall. An estimated 25.3 percent of SCIs result from an accidental fall, such as tumbling down a flight of stairs or falling from a high height. Even a simple fall on a hard surface, like slipping on wet tiles at a restaurant, can result in a spinal cord injury.

Workplace Accidents

Brownsville workers, especially those working in oil and gas or other heavy industry, face dangers on the job every day. Machinery malfunctions, explosions, falls, and other mishaps can lead to a spinal cord injury that puts someone out of work and facing an uncertain future.

Gunshot Wounds

About 10.4 percent of spinal cord injuries nationally are caused by gunshot wounds, which can directly sever the spinal cord or cause damage to the spinal column that pinches or nicks the cord. Brownsville is a relatively safe corner of the Lone Star state, but our city is not immune to gun violence or accidents and their tragic consequences.

Contact/High Impact Sports

Spinal cord injuries can also affect athletes. A hard hit on the football field, an awkward landing in a gymnastics or cheerleading tumble, or a fall on a skate ramp can all lead to spinal cord injury. Schools and sports leagues have a special duty to keep young athletes safe and to follow proper emergency medical protocols in the event of an incident that may involve an SCI.

A Brownsville Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Answers Your Questions

A spinal cord injury is a catastrophic injury that affects movement and sensation. The physical, emotional, and psychological impact of such an injury on your life or the life of a loved one is significant.

If the negligent actions of another person in Brownsville caused you or your loved one’s spinal cord injury, you may want to contact a Brownsville spinal cord injury lawyer. A lawyer can help you to pursue compensation for this devastating and life-changing injury.

The following frequently asked questions serve as a guide for those battling a spinal cord injury due to negligence.

What Types of Negligence Can Cause a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury can result from various types of negligence. When someone fails to use the same care as a reasonably prudent person would use in a similar situation, they are generally negligent, and often liable for the harm caused to others.

The following examples include acts of negligence that can result in a spinal cord injury:

Motor Vehicle Accident. Drunk, distracted, aggressive, or drowsy driving are a few examples of negligence that can result in serious harm to others. These dangerous actions behind the wheel of a car or truck can cause serious injury to:

• Other drivers
• Motorcyclists
• Bicyclists
• Pedestrians

Slip and Fall Accident. Accepting an invitation to visit another person’s property or business should never result in a catastrophic injury. However, a good time can quickly turn dangerous due to:

• Damaged stairs or stairs with no handrail
• Poor lighting in parking lots
• Unmaintained sidewalks
• Wet floors, torn carpets, or other walking hazards

Property owners must maintain a safe environment for those they invite into their homes, store, or restaurant. No matter the location of your fall, if you suffered a spinal cord injury due to property owner negligence, you may want to pursue legal action.

Motor vehicle and slip and fall accidents are a few examples of how someone can experience life-changing injuries instantly. The lasting impact on your health and finances is unfair. Consider fighting for the compensation you need and the justice you deserve.

How Can Accepting a Settlement Now Affect Me Later?

An insurance adjuster representing the responsible party may offer you a settlement. However, accepting their offer is a risky decision. While what they offer may seem like a significant amount, chances are it is not enough to cover your future medical needs.

Accepting their offer closes your claim and prevents you from pursuing civil action later, should you develop complications. Insurance companies want to settle your claim quickly and for less than you deserve—this protects their profits and best interests.

If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligent actions, do not accept a settlement offer alone. A spinal cord injury lawyer can handle negotiations with an insurance company out of court. While most cases settle out of court, a trial may become necessary if negotiations fail.

What Are Some Long-Term Costs of a Spinal Cord Injury?

Plan for the long-term costs associated with a spinal cord injury.

According to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, the costs depend upon the type of spinal cord injury, such as:

• High Tetraplegia (C1-C4) ASIS ABC: More than 1 million the first year and approximately $184, 891 each subsequent year
• Low Tetraplegia (C5-C8): The foundation estimates the costs at more than $750,000, with additional costs of $113,423 each subsequent year

These are just two examples of types of spinal cord injuries that can result in extreme financial stress. These estimates are for medical costs and living expenses. Accident victims must also consider the indirect expenses, like that of lost income and benefits.

If your injury resulted from negligence, you may want to contact a Brownsville spinal cord injury lawyer today. The costs associated with your care or that of a loved one should not come from personal funds.

A spinal cord injury lawyer familiar with Texas civil law can represent you with insurance companies and in court. While the outcome of your case is impossible to predict, fighting for fair compensation is your right.

Why Must I Act Quickly to Pursue Legal Action?

Texas law sets a specific timeframe for filing civil cases. For personal injury cases, the Texas statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years. The clock begins at the moment of injury.

A traumatic accident changes your world instantly. Doctor appointments, therapies, and learning to adjust to your injury sometimes require your full attention. The demands of your new normal may cause you to delay contacting a personal injury lawyer.

Two years pass quickly when there is a major life event. If you fail to file your civil lawsuit within the required deadline, you get no second chance. Pursuing legal action is a serious matter, and your right when you suffer a catastrophic injury due to negligence.

The faster you secure a lawyer, the sooner they can get to work on your behalf. A Brownsville spinal cord injury can ensure your case reaches the court on time.

Is It Worth Calling Your Brownsville Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers?

Yes. A free case evaluation with our Brownsville spinal cord injury lawyers is a great way to learn more about your options. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we only collect their legal fee if we secure compensation for you. You have nothing to lose by calling us.

Accidents caused by negligence are generally preventable. For example, the spinal cord injury you or a loved one experienced happens in a second, yet the results are typically permanent. Accident victims dealing with such a catastrophic injury have no time to manage the details of their case.

You do not have to fight for compensation alone. While compensation is never guaranteed, it is worth fighting for. Think about contacting a Brownsville Texas spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as possible.

When Can You Receive Compensation for a Spinal Cord Injury in Brownsville?

Spinal cord injuries invariably impact a person’s physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. Victims and their families confront an enormous challenge in adapting to an injury and learning new ways of living and moving through the world. They face lasting medical complications that disrupt their existence and may shorten their lifespan. They may need to readjust their plans for going to school, earning a living, and interacting with loved ones.

That process involves huge, ongoing costs that easily run into many millions of dollars, according to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

Texas law permits victims of spinal cord injury to take legal action seeking compensation from anyone whose wrongful actions caused them harm. A personal injury lawyer like Kenny Perez can represent SCI victims in lawsuits and insurance actions aimed at recovering compensation to pay for the unexpected, daunting challenges of an SCI. Money can’t heal a spinal cord injury, but it can provide victims and their families with essential financial support.

By taking legal action, the team at Kenny Perez Law can often secure compensation for an SCI victim’s:

• Medical expenses
• Expenses of adapting to and living with an SCI
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

In some cases, Kenny Perez Law can also secure extra money for his clients by asking a court to award punitive damages that punish the at-fault party for engaging in extreme or intentional misconduct.

Your Brownsville Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

If you or a family member suffered a spinal cord injury in Brownsville, chances are you have the right to receive compensation to help you heal and move forward. The team at Kenny Perez Law has the skill, know-how, and experience to help get you the money you deserve.

Contact us online or call (956) 544-9292 to speak for free today with a skilled, understanding member of our team.

Kenny Perez Law