If you sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI) because of someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek damages from those responsible. At Trantolo & Trantolo, we understand the extreme physical, mental, and financial challenges you face after an SCI. We are here to provide legal support and guidance as you recover and rebuild your life.
With more than 85 years of experience helping injury victims, our Westfield personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and resources to fight for the results you deserve. Contact us today for a free case review with a spinal cord injury attorney serving Westfield, MA.
Spinal Cord Injuries Are Often Caused by Preventable Accidents
At Trantolo & Trantolo, we understand that spinal cord injuries rarely happen by chance. In many cases, they are the result of preventable accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. That is why we take the time to investigate the circumstances of your injury, identify the responsible party, and pursue full accountability for the harm you have suffered.
Our Massachusetts personal injury attorneys help victims of preventable accidents pursue compensation for spinal cord injuries resulting from:
- Car accidents
- Truck collisions
- Motorcycle crashes
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall incidents
- Dog attacks
- Construction accidents
- Medical malpractice
If you hire us, we assign a dedicated team to review your case, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurers for a fair settlement. Our trial attorneys prepare your case for court while you focus on recovering your health, so we are always ready to take your case to trial if necessary.
What Compensation Can I Seek for a Spinal Cord Injury?
Trantolo & Trantolo’s SCI attorneys focus on getting compensation for the full scope of your current and future damages. We work closely with your medical providers and other experts, including life care specialists and economic professionals, to identify the extent of your losses, such as:
- Surgical intervention
- Rehabilitation
- Medical equipment and assistive devices
- Household assistance and accessibility modifications
- Diminished earnings
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
The financial impact of a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming, especially when long-term medical care and support are required. Trantolo & Trantolo has the experience and resources to fully evaluate these losses and pursue compensation that reflects the true scope of your injury. With millions of dollars recovered for injured clients, our team is prepared to press forward until a fair outcome is reached.
Call us now to get started with a free consultation.
What Makes Spinal Cord Injury Claims So Complicated?
Spinal cord injury cases are complex due to the medical severity of SCI, as well as the high financial costs associated with treatment and long-term care. These factors can significantly affect your final settlement or award value.
Injury Location
Spinal cord injuries vary based on the extent and location of spinal damage. Every section of the spine controls signals and functions for different parts of the body:
- The cervical spine in the neck controls functions from the back of the head, neck, arms, hands, shoulders, and diaphragm.
- The thoracic spine in the upper-middle back controls certain chest and back muscles and internal organs
- The lumbar spine in the lower-middle back controls the lower abdomen and back, buttocks, and parts of external genitals and legs.
- The sacral spine in the lower back controls the thighs, lower legs, feet, external genital organs, and anus.
Injuries to the spine affect all areas of the body below the injury. So, damage to the cervical spine, for instance, can affect all the areas controlled by the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine nerves.
The location of your SCI directly influences the types and amount of damages you can recover. For instance, a victim with sacral spine damage who retains some mobility may have less need for in-home nursing care than someone with more extensive disability from a cervical injury.
These costs can vary widely between cases, so it’s important to work with lawyers who understand your unique challenges.
Injury Severity
In addition to the location of the injury, the severity of an SCI also affects your potential settlement value. Typically, greater impairment requires more financial compensation to cover medical assistance, services, and living expenses. However, every case is different.
Complete spinal cord injuries prevent all communication below the site of the injury, while incomplete SCIs still allow some communication between the brain and areas below the injury site. Victims with incomplete injuries may still have some function, feeling, or muscle control below the injury site, while those with complete injuries will not.
Trantolo & Trantolo’s SCI lawyers serving Westfield understand the complex medical terminology and concepts necessary to build a winning case tailored to your specific needs.
Financial Complications
Unfortunately, insurers protect their profits by paying as little as possible, even for valid claims. When the stakes are high, adjusters may use misleading or unfair tactics to diminish their company’s liability. When insurance carriers reduce or deny settlements, it can leave SCI victims struggling financially with the consequences of an injury that was not their fault.
Trantolo & Trantolo is not intimidated by pushy insurance adjusters, and we won’t back down from a fight. Our dedicated legal team is prepared to defend your rights at the negotiating table and in the courtroom – whatever it takes to get the settlement you deserve.
Don’t Fight Solo – Trust Trantolo & Trantolo to Get Results for Your SCI Claim
A spinal cord injury can change every aspect of your life in an instant. When that injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you deserve an advocate who will take your future seriously. Our Westfield spinal cord injury lawyers are committed to protecting your interests every step of the way. Call Trantolo & Trantolo now for a free case review.
FAQs for Our Westfield Team
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Westfield, MA?
Hiring a spinal cord injury lawyer in Westfield, MA does not require any upfront payment. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means attorneys’ fees and case-related costs are only recovered if compensation is secured on your behalf.
This structure allows individuals and families to pursue justice and financial recovery without taking on additional financial strain while dealing with the physical, emotional, and economic consequences of a serious spinal injury.
What Does a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Do?
Our spinal cord injury lawyers manage every legal aspect of a claim, beginning with identifying the party responsible for the injury and preserving evidence to establish fault. This includes working with medical records, accident documentation, expert analysis, and witness statements to build a clear and well-supported case.
Our team also handles communications with insurance companies, evaluates settlement offers, and, when necessary, files a lawsuit and prepares the case for trial. Throughout the process, the focus remains on protecting the injured person’s interests and pursuing compensation that accounts for both immediate losses and long-term needs.
How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260 § 2A typically gives you three years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. This time frame can vary depending on the circumstances of your accident, and insurance companies often have a much shorter deadline. To avoid missing deadlines, contact our Massachusetts spinal cord injury lawyers as soon as possible.
In addition to keeping your case on track, your dedicated team will gather time-sensitive evidence like witness statements, photos, and videos. If you wait too long, evidence can disappear or become less reliable, which can harm your case. While you focus on recovery, we will work tirelessly to build a strong case and defend your right to a fair settlement.
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