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Medical Expenses Associated with Spinal Cord Injuries

On Behalf of | Apr 11, 2018 | Spinal Cord Injury

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A spinal cord injury is classified as a catastrophic injury because of the severe impact it has on a person’s life. Spinal cord injuries can result in long-term or lifelong consequences, including changes in a person’s strength, sensations, bodily functions, and movements. Although all spinal cord injuries are unique, victims of these types of injuries can expect to require lengthy medical treatment, and the potential need for lifelong medical care.

Medical expenses in spinal cord injuries can be financially devastating for our Bartow, FL clients. Fortunately, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Saunders Law Group are prepared to fight to protect the rights of spinal cord injury victims. When a spinal cord injury has been caused by the reckless or negligent actions of another person or party, we will work to hold them liable so that our clients can receive the financial compensation they are due for damages, including all associated medical expenses.

Emergency Medical Care

Most spinal cord injuries necessitate prompt emergency care. Even if an injury is not immediately obvious, we recommend that any victim of an accident seek out medical care since these types of injuries may not cause symptoms until later down the road.

Any trip to an emergency room is expensive as is, but many spinal cord injury victims require further emergency care, which often involves surgery and a hospital stay for recovery. The initial cost of emergency treatment can add up quickly, and, unfortunately, that is just one aspect of medical expenses following a spinal cord injury.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is a vital part of the recovery process following a spinal cord injury. Loss of sensation and movement are common after a spinal cord injury. Some injury victims may be able to recover strength, movement, and sensation over time, while others will deal with partial or full paralysis for the rest of their lives.

No matter how extensive a spinal cord injury may be, rehabilitation (including physical therapy) is necessary for preserving muscle strength, redeveloping motor functions (when possible), and regaining some degree of independence. After a spinal cord injury, most patients require long-term rehabilitation, which further adds to the expense of medical treatment.

Long-term Medical Care

Most people will deal with a spinal cord injury long-term, or even for the rest of their lives. When considering the cost of medical care for a spinal cord injury, it is important to account for expenses that will be incurred over the span of the patient’s life. Long-term medical care costs for a spinal cord injury may include those related to physical therapy, in-home nursing care, medications, psychotherapy, home modifications, and medical equipment.

In all, a spinal cord injury can require millions of dollars of medical care. Estimates by the Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation report that the cost of care for a spinal cord injury ranges from about $300,000 to just over $1 million dollars in the first year alone. After that, continual medical care may cost anywhere from $40,000 to $200,000 per year. Considering these significant costs, it is important that spinal cord injury victims be justly compensated for their losses. Our clients should be able to receive the medical care they need without worrying about its financial impact.

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