Spinal Cord Injuries Lawyers

Vero Beach, FL

Spinal cord injuries are considered catastrophic injuries, often leading to permanent disability. If your spinal cord injury was caused by another person, you might be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Our Vero Beach personal injury attorneys can help you get the compensation that you are entitled to for your lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, medical bills, and other losses.

Gould Cooksey Fennell is dedicated to helping injury victims throughout Florida get the compensation that they deserve for their injuries – including life-changing spinal cord injuries. We offer free initial consultations and never charge a fee unless we recover money for you. Reach out to our law offices today to talk to a member of our legal team.

Can I File a Lawsuit for My Spinal Cord Injury?

If your spinal cord injury was caused by another person, you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them.  Depending on the facts of your case, you could bring a claim against:

  • Another driver who caused a car accident
  • A doctor or other medical professional who committed medical malpractice
  • The manufacturer of a dangerous or defective product
  • Building or property owners who failed to fix a dangerous condition
  • Government agencies
  • Businesses like grocery stores or hotels
  • Amusement parks
  • A person who committed a violent act against you

 

These cases are typically based on a theory of negligence, which is a form of carelessness. Essentially, a person was negligent if they failed to use the level of care that a reasonable person would use in a similar situation. For example, if another driver rear-ended up because they were texting and driving, they would be considered negligent.

In cases involving intentional or reckless conduct, like a violent assault or a drunk driving accident, you can still file a personal injury lawsuit. This case will be separate from any criminal charges that the responsible party may face. The existence of criminal charges – and potentially a conviction – can often help to bolster your own claim.

The key for any of these cases is gathering sufficient evidence to prove that the at-fault party was responsible. This may include documentation such as photos and videos of the accident scene, police reports, medical records, and witness statements. Your Vero Beach spinal cord injuries attorney will work diligently to investigate the case and build the strongest possible case for compensation.

Once the investigation is complete, your lawyer will then send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company. A demand letter lays out the facts of the case, explains the legal reason why the policyholder is responsible, and then makes a demand for damages (compensation).  In most situations, the insurance company will respond with a counteroffer.

Damages in a spinal cord injury case can be extensive. They may include 3 types of damages:

  1. Economic damages pay for direct financial losses, such as property damage, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, medical bills, future medical care, and the need for modifications to your house and/or car to accommodate your disability. 
  2. Non-economic damages pay for indirect losses like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, scarring, and disfigurement.
  3. Punitive damages may be awarded in cases where the at-fault party acted intentionally or recklessly. They are meant to punish a wrongdoer instead of compensating an accident victim.

 

In a spinal cord injury case, the victim often has significant medical expenses as well as a need for ongoing care. Their ability to work might be affected – and they may not be able to work at all due to their injury. They may also need to renovate their house. 

Beyond economic losses, many spinal cord injury victims suffer great emotional losses that can be addressed through non-economic damages. Becoming permanently disabled and losing the ability to do certain things can be devastating. Any settlement for a spinal cord injury must be sufficient to address this incredibly important aspect of the claim.

Insurance companies are rarely willing to pay the true value of a claim – particularly for those that involve catastrophic injuries like a spinal cord injury. While most personal injury cases are resolved outside of court, it might be necessary to go to trial to get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries. Our law firm has both the skill and the experience needed to negotiate a top-dollar settlement for spinal cord injury victims – or take the case to trial to ask a jury to return a verdict in our client’s favor.

The best way to get full compensation for your spinal cord injury is by working with a seasoned Vero Beach spinal cord injury attorney. We will examine every aspect of your case to ensure that we can hold all responsible parties accountable. In this way, we will work to help you get the money that you need to move forward with your life after a devastating injury.

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Spinal Cord Injury Claim?

Yes. While it may be possible to negotiate a settlement by yourself for a case involving minor injuries, you should never attempt to represent yourself in a case involving a catastrophic injury. If you negotiate a settlement on your own with the insurance company, there is a strong likelihood that you won’t recover enough money to cover your current and future expenses.

Insurance companies have one goal when it comes to personal injury claims: to resolve them for as little money as possible. If you want to get maximum compensation for your spinal cord injury, you need a lawyer who will fight for you. In Vero Beach, call Gould Cooksey Fennell to talk to a Florida spinal cord injury attorney.

How Can I Pay for a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?

Almost all personal injury lawsuits are handled on a contingency fee basis. This is a special type of fee arrangement where you don’t pay an hourly or flat fee. Instead, you pay a percentage of any recovery that you receive – and only if your case is successful. The fee that you pay will be a percentage of your settlement or verdict at trial.

Contingency fee arrangements align the interests of lawyers and their clients: both want to resolve the case for as much money as possible and as quickly as possible. It also allows anyone to hire an attorney, regardless of the current financial situation. If you have been hurt in an accident, contact Gould Cooksey Fennell today to schedule a consultation with a Vero Beach spinal cord injury attorney.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are often caused by a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine. In the United States, they are most often caused by:

  • Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Car and motorcycle crashes account for approximately 50% of all new spinal cord injuries annually.
  • Falls often cause spinal cord injuries for people over the age of 65. In addition, younger people may suffer spinal cord injuries from slip and falls and/or work accidents like construction site falls.
  • Acts of violence, including gunshot wounds, account for 12% of spinal cord injuries.
  • Sports and recreational activities are responsible for 10% of all spinal cord injuries. This includes impact sports like football as well as diving into shallow water.
  • Diseases and health conditions like cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, and inflammation of the spinal cord can cause injuries.

Men are more likely than women to suffer a spinal cord injury. Both young people and people over the age of 65 are also at higher risk of spinal cord injuries. Other risk factors include engaging in risky behavior and abusing drugs and alcohol.

In situations where a spinal cord injury was caused by another person, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.  Our law firm will work with you to help you get the compensation that you deserve for your spinal cord injury.

Help for Spinal Cord Injury Victims

A spinal cord injury can alter your life in drastic, permanent ways. If it was caused by another person, then you might be able to file a lawsuit against them to recover financial compensation for your losses. Our law offices will fight on your behalf to help you get the money that you deserve for your injuries.

Based in Vero Beach, Gould Cooksey Fennell represents accident victims who have suffered all types of catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will never pay a fee unless we recover money for you. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a Florida spinal cord injury lawyer, give us a call at 772-742-4912 or fill out our online contact form.

LP-Car-Accident-Icon-Medical

Detailed Medical Knowledge

LP-Car-Accident-Icon-Tech.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Modern Trial Techniques

FREE PERSONAL INJURY CONSULTATION

INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT?

  • No Fee Until We Win
  • $150M+ in Recent Personal Injury Verdicts & Settlements
  • U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms for 10 Consecutive Years

Our firm is here to take that burden off of our clients and handle their claim completely. We will help you get the compensation you deserve.

Notable CAR ACCIDENT Settlements and Verdicts

We’ve recovered over $150 million for our clients. These are real case results from real people who came to us for help. And we got them what they were owed.

Plaintiff was operating a small motorcycle/scooter when a 91 year old man turned left in front of him hitting him essentially head on. As a result of the collision, the Plaintiff sustained catastrophic injuries to his lower body, including snapped femurs and fractures to the spine and pelvis. After a two week trial the Indian River County jury returned an award totaling $9.381 million.

A Brevard County Jury awarded Plaintiff $6.4M against Defendant State Farm, following an accident that resulted in numerous catastrophic orthopedic injuries, including a below knee amputation of the Plaintiff’s left leg.

Plaintiff sustained numerous orthopedic injuries as a result of the negligence of a driver working for the State of Florida Department of Agriculture. At trial, the case resulted in a verdict of $5,582,776.82. Because the government’s damages are statutorily limited to $100,000 under Sovereign Immunity laws, Gould Cooksey Fennell’s Personal Injury Group was forced to fight in the Legislature for several years to pursue the passage of a Claims Bill. Ultimately a Bill was passed for 40 times the statutory limitations.

Indian River County crash resulting in significant injuries to a husband and wife. This matter was resolved prior to filing a lawsuit.

Obtained a Trial Verdict of $1.64 million dollars for injuries sustained by an 86 year old woman in a rollover auto accident on SR 60 in Vero Beach, Florida. After prolonged hospitalization, Mrs. Koebele never fully recovered and an Indian River County Jury awarded $1,170,130 for her injuries and $475,000 for her husband’s consortium claim.

Automobile crash in Vero Beach, FL resulting in cervical injury, including disc herniation to a 22 year old tennis professional.

While stopped at the intersection of US Hwy 1 and Vista Royale Boulevard, the Plaintiff’s vehicle was struck from behind with such force that the rear of his SUV was lifted off the ground and his vehicle slammed into the rear of the vehicle in front of him. As a result of the violent impact, Plaintiff sustained permanent injuries to his cervical and lumbar spine. An Indian River County jury awarded the Plaintiff $1,487,412.99.

While stopped at the intersection of 43rd Ave and 8th Street, Plaintiff was rear-ended by the Defendant, launching her vehicle into another vehicle in front of her. Plaintiff sustained permanent injuries to her right knee and cervical spine, both requiring surgical intervention in the years following the collision. After a nine day trial, an Indian River County jury returned an award of $1,259,090.73.

Indian River County jury awarded verdict against Defendant State Farm following an automobile accident where the defendant Driver was underinsured.

PERSONAL INJURY LAW SERVICES

HELPFUL CONTENT

WHY CHOOSE US

OVER 65 YRS OF LEGAL EXPERTISE

$150M+

Recent Personal Injury Verdicts & Settlements

REQUEST A CALL WITH A PERSONAL INJURY LAW PROFESSIONAL

Name(Required)

* Our attorneys and staff value your privacy and will not share your personal information with any third-party entities.

U.S. News and World Report Best Law Firms 2014-present logo
LegalElite-290x212
Super Lawyers logo
Av Martindale-Hubbel Lawyer Ratings logo
The Florida Bar Board Certified logo
The National Top 100 Trial Lawyer seal
REQUEST A CALL

* Our attorneys and staff value your privacy and will not share your personal information with any third-party entities.