Any injury to the spine can be devastating, especially if it leads to a disability. If you sustain an injury to your spine as a result of someone else’s fault, you may be wondering how much you should claim in damages. Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer to this question.
The value of your spinal injury settlement can sometimes be difficult to anticipate.
Factors that determine the monetary damages in your spinal cord injury claim
The monetary compensation that you can recover following a spinal cord injury depends on several case-related factors. These factors include the circumstances of the accident, your contribution to the accident, the cost and extent of your medical treatment and whether you suffered a partial or complete injury to your spine. It may also depend on the limits of the other party’s insurance.
Some of the specific monetary damages you can recover following your spinal cord injury include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Mental distress relating to your spinal cord injury
- Loss of enjoyment of life due to paralysis
- Loss of consortium
Naturally, you will also be able to make a claim for both your lost current and future wages. This is particularly important when your injury leaves you unable to work at all.
Filing your claim
An injury to the spine can turn your life upside down. To boost the odds of receiving the compensation you are entitled to, you must act within the statute of limitations period. In Ohio, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of your injury.
Because it can be so hard to understand the true value of a claim involving spinal injuries, it’s always wisest to get early legal guidance.
