Any type of injury is going to cause disruption to a person’s life. That is especially true with a spinal cord injury that could require surgery, ongoing rehabilitation, and, in some severe cases, full or partial paralysis. These types of injuries are even worse if someone else’s negligence caused them.
The costs of a spinal cord injury can put an enormous strain on a family’s financial future. That’s why it is essential to seek compensation from the responsible party. Knowing those expenses will be met will bring a huge sense of relief and allow the patient to focus on their recovery. Seeking that compensation will be greatly aided with the support of an experienced Lanham spinal cord injury lawyer like you’ll find at GDH Law.
Our boutique law office is focused on providing our clients with the best support and guidance. If you or someone in your family has suffered a spinal cord injury caused by someone’s negligence, you need answers to your questions about your options. That begins with understanding all the costs of a spinal cord injury.
The Range of Medical Expenses
The Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation is dedicated to providing support and resources to help victims of spinal cord injuries. They provide an estimate of what a spinal cord injury patient can expect to pay, depending on the severity of their injury.
For instance, the most severe category of a spinal cord injury is classified as High Tetraplegia. In the first year of the injury, health care costs and living expenses can be $1,064,716 and $184, 891 for each subsequent year. At the low end of the spectrum, an injury classified as Incomplete Motor Function can cost $347,484 in the first year and $42,206 each subsequent year.
It is important to note that those expenses are just for care. They do not include the lost earnings from a job.
The following are some of the expenses associated with a spinal cord injury.
Surgeries and Hospitalization
The medical expenses begin with the first ambulance trip to the emergency room. Assessments will be made involving X-rays and imaging. Surgery could be recommended to remove lesions or objects embedded in the spinal cord as a result of the accident. Spinal cord surgery is extremely complex and requires specialized skills. That makes it among the most expensive surgeries you can undergo.
After the surgery, there could be extended hospital stays. That can include time in an intensive care unit (ICU), which adds to the expenses. There will also be medications, which are also among the priciest.
Rehabilitation
Once you’ve had surgery and been discharged from the hospital, you will likely need outpatient rehabilitation. That rehabilitation can continue for months or years, depending on the severity of the injury. Ongoing physical therapy can help with new mobility challenges, especially if you need assistive equipment, such as a wheelchair or crutches.
Psychotherapy
While dealing with all the physical changes, you’ll also cope with the emotional adjustments. It is not uncommon for spinal cord injury patients to become depressed and anxious. Counseling can help the patient develop coping skills to help them manage what they’re experiencing.
Equipment for Spinal Cord Injury Patients
Most spinal cord injury patients require adaptive equipment, including crutches, braces, wheelchairs, respirators, and other devices. This includes a hospital bed that can adapt to the patient’s needs.
Most of this equipment will likely need to be upgraded throughout the patient’s lifetime.
Home Modifications
When the full scope of a spinal cord injury patient’s new mobile challenges is understood, home modifications might be necessary. Ramps might be needed to access the home, door frames might have to be widened to accommodate wheelchairs, and an upstairs bedroom might have to be relocated to the first floor.
In-Home Aides
A spinal cord injury can leave the patient with many physical challenges that require support. Some can rely on family members but would benefit from having in-home aides to provide a break. In-home aides can come in for a few hours, but even that limited time can significantly support the family.
Getting the Right Support
It is vital for anyone who has been the victim of a spinal cord injury to get the remedy they deserve to cover their medical expenses. That amount has to include the current and future expenses.
The spinal cord injury attorneys at GDH Law have a deep understanding of the full range of the costs associated with these types of injuries. We will always strive to help our clients achieve the maximum benefits they are due. Call to schedule a free consultation to talk about your situation.
