Merrillville Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

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A spinal cord injury (SCI) can potentially disrupt and change your life in a heartbeat. Whether it results from a car accident, a fall, or another traumatic event, the repercussions are often life-altering. At Blackburn Romey, we recognize the profound impact these injuries can have on your life. Our Merrillville spinal cord injury lawyers are ready to offer legal advice and the compassionate support you need during this challenging time.

If you have been injured in Merrillville, sustaining a spinal cord injury, you need to consider your available legal options. An attorney from our firm will offer personalized support in the fight for the compensation and justice you truly deserve.

Why Choose Our Merrillville Spinal Injury Attorneys

The success of a spinal cord injury claim begins with making the right choice for a legal advocate. This is because the experience of an attorney in handling a personal injury claim gives you an edge as opposed to representing yourself in the legal compensation-seeking process.

Choosing the right legal advocate is important following a spinal cord injury. At Blackburn Romey, our attorneys offer more than just legal guidance—we provide a partnership grounded in trust, expertise, and relentless advocacy. Here’s why our Merrillville spinal cord injury attorneys are best suited to handle your case:

  • Extensive experience. We have an undeniable track record of handling complex spinal cord injury cases with a focus on achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. Our experience extends beyond the courtroom and insurance negotiations, involving in-depth knowledge of medical and rehabilitation aspects crucial to your case.
  • Personalized strategy. What sets us apart is the understanding that every injury is unique. Our approach involves crafting a tailored legal strategy that addresses the specific circumstances of your case, including the extent of your injury, the impact on your life, and your long-term needs.
  • Holistic support. From coordinating with medical professionals to managing interactions with insurance companies, our team provides comprehensive support throughout your case. We ensure that all aspects of your injury, from medical costs to emotional impact, are thoroughly addressed in your claim.
  • Client-centric focus. We don’t treat clients as just another case. We dedicate considerable effort to every case so as to achieve the required outcome. Importantly, we are committed to making the legal process as smooth and stress-free as possible so that you may concentrate on your recovery and rehabilitation.

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Types of Spinal Cord Injuries We Handle

Spinal cord injuries are grouped on the basis of their severity and the resulting impairment. When you schedule a case review with us, we will strive to understand the type of spinal cord injury you sustained so as to tailor our approach to your specific needs. Here are the types of spinal cord injuries:

Complete Spinal Cord Injuries

A complete spinal cord injury leads to a complete loss of motor and sensory function under the level of injury. This profound impairment often results in varying degrees of paralysis, which can be categorized as:

  • Quadriplegia: This form of paralysis affects all four limbs and the trunk, severely impacting a person’s ability to perform daily tasks independently. Quadriplegia is the predominant symptom of traumatic spinal cord injuries, occurring in approximately 60% of all injury cases. Quadriplegia requires comprehensive rehabilitation efforts, including physical and occupational therapy and the use of assistive technology to regain function.
  • Paraplegia: Characterized by paralysis of the lower half of the body, paraplegia affects the legs and sometimes parts of the trunk. Individuals with paraplegia often face challenges with mobility and may require tailored support to adapt their living environments and maintain their independence.

Complete spinal cord injuries can alter every aspect of a person’s life, from mobility and independence to emotional and social well-being. These injuries necessitate extensive medical care, which may include surgical interventions, intensive physical therapy, and the use of adaptive equipment to support daily activities. Emotional and psychological support is equally important, as living life with a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

Incomplete spinal cord injuries involve partial loss of function and vary significantly based on the location and severity of the injury. Individuals may retain some movement or sensation below the injury site. The likelihood of recovery depends on the extent of the spinal cord damage and the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries come from various types of accidents. During an accident, the forceful impact may force the spine to flex extremely. This violent movement can compress or sever the spinal cord, leading to significant damage. Most spinal cord injuries arise from:

  • Motor vehicle accidents. Collisions from cars, trucks, and buses often exert extreme force on the spine, causing severe trauma that may lead to spinal cord injuries.
  • Falls. Falls, especially from significant heights or with high impact, may injure the spinal cord, leading to varying degrees of injury.
  • Workplace accidents. Certain occupations involve high-risk activities that can result in serious spinal injuries, such as heavy lifting or working with hazardous machinery.
  • Motorcycle and bicycle accidents. These crashes frequently result in catastrophic injuries, as the occupants lack the external protection that car passengers have. Spinal cord injuries are particularly prevalent in these situations.

Comprehensive Compensation You Can Recover

The financial implications of a SCI are substantial. Your lawyer will help assess the full impact of the injury so as to seek compensation that can address various aspects of your injury. Mostly, this compensation will involve the following:

Medical and Rehabilitation Costs

Spinal cord injuries often necessitate immediate and ongoing medical care. This includes emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, and long-term rehabilitation. Comprehensive compensation covers these medical expenses to ensure you receive the best possible care.

Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity

Injuries can adversely impact your ability to work, resulting in lost earnings and diminished earning ability. Compensation aims to recover not only the wages you have lost but also the potential future income you may forfeit due to your injury.

Pain and Suffering

The emotional and physical pain of spinal cord injury can be profound. Compensation for pain and suffering acknowledges the significant impact on your quality of life. They will consider emotional distress, chronic pain, and loss of enjoyment in life, among other damages.

Loss of Consortium

Spinal cord injuries can affect relationships with family and loved ones. Compensation for loss of consortium addresses the emotional and relational impact on your personal life, recognizing the strain placed on familial bonds and companionship.

Home and Vehicle Modifications

Adjustments to your living environment or vehicle may be necessary to accommodate your new physical needs. This compensation will assist with the costs of making your home and transportation accessible and functional.

Why Choose Us

We know you have many options when selecting a personal injury attorney, but many people rely on our firm to represent their rights.

Experience

Our team has combined decades of experience handling all types of injury cases, both with insurance companies and in civil court. We bring all that we know about injury law to the table in each and every case.

Results

We have many satisfied clients who were able to move forward with their lives in a better financial position following a serious accident and injuries. We can discuss our past results with you during your free consultation.

Service

We are dedicated to our clients and communities in Indiana. Our goal is to provide comprehensive and compassionate legal services to injured and grieving individuals. We work hard to obtain the money you need so you can focus on recovery instead of worrying about medical bills, insurance claims, or lawsuits.

Critical Steps to Take After a Spinal Cord Injury

Taking prompt and effective action after sustaining SCI is crucial for both your legal recovery and your legal case. Basically, our personal injury team advocates for the following steps:

  • Seek immediate medical care. Ensure you obtain a medical evaluation to assess and address your injuries. Early intervention can prevent further complications and support a better recovery.
  • Maintain relevant documentation. Keep records of all medical treatments you received, any other expenses, and the impact of the injury on your daily life. This documentation is vital for building a strong case.
  • Make necessary resorts. If your injury arose from an accident due to negligence, report the incident to the appropriate authorities or your employer. For car accidents that result in spinal cord injury, fatality, or property damages, you are obliged to call the police to report the incident. This helps establish a formal record of the event.
  • Consult with our spinal injury lawyers. Engage with a spinal cord injury lawyer in Merrillville as soon as possible. An attorney handles the claim process and helps safeguard your rights.

How Our Merrillville Spinal Injury Attorneys Can Help You

Spinal cord injuries can render your life hard, especially if it requires ongoing therapy and rehabilitation. At such times, our Merrillville spinal cord injury lawyers are ready to offer you the necessary support to support your recovery.

Initially, we will review your case to develop an approach tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Our team will gather and analyze all available evidence to build a compelling case on your behalf.

Next, we will then take charge of negotiations with insurance companies to ensure they do not take advantage of your situation. We will advocate for the best possible outcome. If we find that meaningful compensation is not forthcoming, we are prepared to take your case to court, present your case, and fight for your rights.

Statute of Limitations in Indiana

In Indiana, you have a timeframe of two years from the date of the spinal cord injury to launch your claim (Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4(a)(1)). This timeline is what is legally known as the statute of limitations. If you don’t act within this timeframe, you may lose your right to seek compensation. The best way to effectively avoid potential legal repercussions is to work with a Merrillville spinal cord injury lawyer to ensure your claim is filed on time.

Find a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Near You in Merrillville, Indiana

Contact Our Merrillville Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Today

A successful spinal cord injury claim in Merrillville depends on the legal strategy. Therefore, if you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, don’t make the mistake of delaying or working without an attorney. A Merrillville spinal cord injury lawyer will evaluate your case and determine how to go about seeking recovery for damages. With our track record of successful results, we are ready to handle your case, whether it means dealing with insurance companies or taking your claim to court.

Reach out to us at (219) 769-7415 to schedule a free consultation.

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Tom Blackburn

Blackburn Romey founding partner Tom Blackburn graduated with honors receiving a degree from Indiana University at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Initiating his legal career in 1977, he has been active in practicing law and currently serves as a member of the Indiana State Bar Association on the Ethics and Advertising Committees, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, as a board member at the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and as an appointed member of the Executive Committee for the State of Indiana for the National Trial Lawyers Association.

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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Tom Blackburn, who has more than 47 years of legal experience, including over 39 years specializing as a personal injury attorney.