How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Spinal Cord Injury in Pennsylvania?

Sustaining a spinal cord injury can be devastating, resulting in life-altering consequences for the victim and their loved ones. The physical, emotional, and financial burdens can be overwhelming. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation. However, there are factors unique to each case that determine how much compensation you can get for your spinal cord injury case in Pennsylvania. 

Accident Expenses 

The severity of your injury and the amount of expenses you suffer can influence the compensation you may receive for a spinal cord injury in Pennsylvania. For example:

Extent of Injury

The severity and extent of your spinal cord injury will play a crucial role in determining how much compensation you recover—generally, the more severe the injury and the resulting disability, the higher the award.

Medical Expenses

The cost of medical treatment, ongoing rehabilitation, physical therapy, assistive devices, and any necessary modifications to your home or vehicle will be considered in calculating compensation.

Rehabilitation and Assistance

The need for long-term care, personal assistance, and rehabilitation services will be factored into the compensation amount.

Lost Wages and Earning Capacity

If the spinal cord injury prevents you from working or reduces your earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, including future income you may have earned, if not for the injury.

Pain and Suffering

In a spinal cord injury case, pain and suffering is a significant factor that contributes to its overall worth. Pain and suffering refers to the physical and emotional distress experienced by the injured party as a result of the spinal cord injury. While it is challenging to quantify pain and suffering in monetary terms, these factors are considered: 

• Severity of Pain: Spinal cord injuries often cause significant and chronic pain that can impact daily life. The intensity, duration, and frequency of the pain can help determine the amount of compensation awarded.
• Emotional Distress: Spinal cord injuries can lead to emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and loss of enjoyment of life. These emotional factors are taken into account when assessing the impact of the injury on the individual’s mental well-being.
• Impact on Quality of Life: Spinal cord injuries can result in a loss of mobility, independence, and the ability to engage in activities that were once enjoyed. Compensation for pain and suffering aims to acknowledge and provide reparation for the loss of quality of life experienced by the injured party.
• Future Consequences: Pain and suffering compensation also takes into account the long-term effects of the spinal cord injury. This may include ongoing pain, the need for future medical treatments, rehabilitation, and assistance, as well as the potential for future complications or deterioration of the injury.

An Attorney Can Estimate Your Case’s Value

A spinal cord injury can profoundly impact your life and well-being. Pursuing compensation for your losses can help alleviate the financial burden associated with such injuries and provide the necessary resources for your recovery and future well-being. However, determining the appropriate compensation for a spinal cord injury requires a thorough understanding of Pennsylvania’s personal injury laws and experience handling similar cases. Therefore, consulting a trusted Philadelphia work injury attorney is crucial. They can evaluate the specifics of your case, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for your rights to secure the compensation you deserve.