Suffering a spinal cord injury can turn your life upside down in an instant. The physical, emotional, and financial toll can feel overwhelming, leaving you unsure where to turn for help.
At this difficult time, the compassionate team at Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers is here to support you. Our experienced Myrtle Beach spinal cord injury attorneys will fight to get you the compensation you need and deserve so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
Why Choose Our Myrtle Beach Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers?
When facing a life-changing spinal cord injury, you need a law firm with the experience, dedication, and track record to advocate for you.
Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers has been representing spinal cord injury victims in Myrtle Beach and throughout South Carolina. We've recovered millions of dollars for our clients, including substantial settlements and verdicts for those with serious back and neck injuries.
Our commitment to providing personalized attention and service to every client sets our firm apart. We intentionally limit our caseload so that we can dedicate the time and resources needed to optimally handle your claim.
One of our skilled spinal cord injury attorneys will oversee your case, not passed off to a paralegal or junior associate.
We'll take the time to listen to your story, thoroughly investigate your accident, and tailor our approach to your unique needs and goals.
With offices conveniently located at 44th Avenue Suite 101, near the Pine Lakes Country Club, we're well-equipped to serve injury victims throughout the area.
We also have offices in Murrells Inlet, Columbia, and Aiken, allowing us to help clients across the state. We're ready to come to you wherever you're located, with home and hospital visits available.
Spinal Cord Injury Compensation
Spinal cord injuries often lead to extensive medical bills, lost income, and a lifetime of challenges. While no amount of money can undo the trauma you've suffered, obtaining fair compensation can provide vital support and stability as you move forward.
Depending on the severity of your injury and the circumstances of your accident, damages in a spinal cord injury claim may include:
Past, Current and Future Medical Expenses
Spinal cord injuries require extensive medical treatment, often including surgeries, hospitalizations, medications, and ongoing care.
Compensation for medical expenses should cover all past and current bills related to the injury, as well as projected future costs. This may include expenses like doctor visits, physical therapy, home health care, and medical equipment.
Lost Income and Reduced Earning Capacity
Many spinal cord injury victims cannot work for an extended period, if ever again. Compensation for lost income should cover the income you have lost from missing work due to the injury and any reduction in your future earning capacity.
This may include salary, bonuses, commissions, and benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions.
Pain and Suffering
Spinal cord injuries cause immense physical pain and discomfort that can last a lifetime. Compensation for pain and suffering recognizes the physical distress and anguish you have endured and will continue to experience due to the injury.
This includes things like chronic pain, nerve pain, muscle spasms, and difficulties with mobility and self-care.
Emotional Distress
The emotional impact of a spinal cord injury can be just as devastating as the physical effects.
Many victims experience severe mental anguish, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as they try to come to terms with their new reality.
Compensation for emotional distress recognizes these profound psychological injuries and the ongoing challenges they present.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Spinal cord injuries often rob victims of the ability to participate in activities and hobbies they once loved, from playing sports to traveling to spending quality time with family and friends.
Compensation for loss of enjoyment of life recognizes how the injury has diminished your quality of life and the personal toll this has taken.
Home and Vehicle Modifications
Depending on the extent of paralysis, spinal cord injury victims may need to make significant modifications to their homes and vehicles to accommodate their new needs.
This can include installing ramps, widening doorways, modifying bathrooms, and purchasing adaptive equipment for driving. Compensation should cover all reasonable and necessary expenses for these modifications.
Rehabilitative Care and Assistive Devices
Spinal cord injury rehabilitation is a long and intensive process that may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and vocational rehabilitation.
Victims may also require various assistive devices like wheelchairs, braces, and communication aids. Compensation should cover all costs associated with rehabilitative care and necessary equipment to help maximize independence and quality of life.
At Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers, we have a proven track record of achieving maximum compensation for spinal cord injury victims and their families. We work with respected medical professionals and life planning specialists to fully assess the injury's impact over a lifetime.
Armed with this knowledge, we aggressively negotiate with insurance companies and take cases to trial when needed to obtain the best possible outcome.
Where Do Spinal Cord Injuries Occur in Myrtle Beach?
As a popular tourist destination, Myrtle Beach sees a high volume of traffic and recreational activities that sadly can lead to devastating accidents.
Some of the most common locations and causes of spinal cord injuries in the area include:
- Highway 17 and Kings Highway - busy thoroughfares with frequent car and motorcycle crashes
- Ocean Boulevard - heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic near the beach, hotels and attractions
- Swimming pool and diving accidents at resorts and water parks
- Boating and jet ski accidents in the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries occur when there is damage to the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal. This can disrupt communication between the brain and body, resulting in decreased movement and sensation below the injury site.
The effects can be temporary or permanent, partial or complete, depending on factors like the location and severity of the damage.
Common types of accidents that lead to spinal cord injuries include:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes
- Slip and falls
- Swimming pool and diving accidents
- Sports and recreational activities
- Acts of violence
Classify spinal cord injuries based on the lowest part of the spinal cord where normal function remains.
The main types are:
- Cervical spinal cord injuries (neck) - can cause paralysis in the arms, hands, trunk, and legs (quadriplegia/tetraplegia).
- Thoracic spinal cord injuries (upper back) - can cause paralysis in the trunk and legs (paraplegia).
- Lumbar spinal cord injuries (lower back) - can cause paralysis in the hips and legs.
- Sacral spinal cord injuries (pelvis) - can cause paralysis in the hips, groin, and legs.
In addition to paralysis, spinal cord injury victims may experience a range of secondary complications, such as chronic pain, spasticity, respiratory issues, loss of bowel and bladder control, sexual dysfunction, and depression. The lifetime costs of treatment and care can easily reach millions of dollars.
Fighting the Insurance Company
When you're facing the devastating consequences of a spinal cord injury, the last thing you should have to worry about is fighting with an insurance company.
Sadly, many injury victims find themselves in an uphill battle to get the compensation they need and deserve. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and they often employ tactics to minimize payouts and protect their profits.
One common strategy is to downplay the severity of your injuries. The insurance adjuster may argue that your spinal cord damage isn't as bad as you claim or that your physical limitations are exaggerated. They may point to any pre-existing conditions or prior injuries to cast doubt on the extent of your current impairment.
This can frustrate and demoralize anyone, especially when you're dealing with the very real and life-changing effects of a spinal cord injury.
Another tactic insurance companies use is to shift blame for the accident onto you. They may argue that you were fully or partially at fault, even if the evidence clearly shows otherwise.
In South Carolina, exceeding 50 percent fault for an accident can result in barring you from recovering any compensation. Insurance adjusters know this and may try to pin liability on you unfairly to avoid paying out on the claim.
Perhaps the most common way insurance companies try to shortchange spinal cord injury victims is by making lowball settlement offers. They know that you're likely facing a mountain of medical bills and cannot work, leaving you in a vulnerable financial position.
They may dangle a quick settlement in front of you, hoping you'll accept it out of desperation before you know the full extent of your losses. But the reality is that these lowball offers are rarely enough to cover the lifetime costs of a spinal cord injury, which can easily reach millions of dollars.
That's where having a skilled spinal cord injury lawyer can make all the difference. At Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers, we have years of experience standing up to insurance companies and fighting for the rights of injury victims. We know all their tricks and tactics, and we don't let them get away with undervaluing our clients' claims.
When you work with our firm, we'll handle all communication and negotiation with the insurance company so you can focus on your recovery.
We'll thoroughly investigate your accident, gather evidence to support your claim, and consult top medical professionals to assess the full extent of your injuries and long-term needs. Armed with this information, we'll aggressively advocate for a settlement that fairly compensates you for your losses.
We can often negotiate favorable settlements with the insurance company without needing a lengthy court battle. But we're always prepared to take cases to trial if necessary.
Our spinal cord injury attorneys have significant courtroom experience and a track record of success in complex personal injury litigation. We won't hesitate to file a lawsuit and present your case to a judge and jury if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.
Throughout the process, we'll keep you informed and involved in all key decisions about your case. We know that the time after a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming and uncertain, and we're here to provide the guidance and support you need every step of the way.
You can count on us to be your tireless advocates and to fight for every penny you deserve.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in Myrtle Beach or anywhere in South Carolina, don't try to take on the insurance company alone.
Contact Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation, and let us put our skills and resources to work for you. Our offices in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Columbia, and Aiken are ready to help injury victims statewide. Don't wait - call us now and let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury Accident
If you or someone you love suffered a spinal cord injury:
- Seek immediate medical attention and follow all treatment recommendations. Spinal cord injuries require prompt and ongoing care to minimize complications and improve outcomes.
- Keep track of all medical appointments, tests, procedures, and expenses. Obtain copies of your medical records and bills; this documentation will be important evidence in your claim.
- Write in a journal about how your injury has impacted your day-to-day life. Note things like pain levels, mobility issues, emotional struggles, and activities you can no longer do.
- Preserve any evidence related to the accident, such as photos of the scene, contact information for witnesses, and a copy of the police report.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the insurance company or accepting a settlement offer until you've consulted with an attorney.
- Contact an experienced Myrtle Beach spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your rights and options.
Contact Our Myrtle Beach Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
At Morris Law Accident Injury Lawyers, we're here to guide you through every step of the legal process and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Our Myrtle Beach, spinal cord accident attorneys, will handle all communication with the insurance company and make sure your claim is as strong as possible. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us nothing upfront and no fees unless we win your case.
To learn more about how we can help, contact us today at (843) 232-0944 and let us put our skills and resources to work for you.
