The most common causes for SCIs are vehicle accidents, falls, violence, sports accidents, and medical errors. Everyone is vulnerable to these types of injuries, and there are around 17,000 new cases a year.
Costly Injuries
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center does a great job in breaking down these injuries, including the costs. First year medical expenses and subsequent year costs for spinal cord injuries are around the following:
High Tetraplegia
- First Year – $1,065,980
- Each Following Year – $185,111
Low Tetraplegia
- First Year – $770,264
- Each Following Year – $113,557
Paraplegia
- First Year – $519,520
- Each Following Year – $68,821
Motor function at Any Level
- First Year – $347,896
- Each Following Year – $42,256
Hidden Costs
As with many injuries, there are hidden costs behind spinal cord injuries that are not associated with direct medical expenses.
If the person who suffers the injury is unable to return to work, their lost income will impact their whole family. Over the course of a lifetime, the lost income and benefits add up to a significant amount and affect retirement.
If the victim and a family member have to travel to specialists, this will cost money in the form of transportation, hotel, food, and lost income from work.
Accommodations to homes and vehicle are often necessary for those who suffer a spinal cord injury. There will usually need to be wheelchair ramps added to homes and doors may need to be widened. Sometimes, an entirely new vehicle will need to be purchased.
Not discussed often enough are the emotional costs of these injuries. For the victim, they may never be able to do the activities they love again. Their loved ones have to watch as their life is changed.
What Comes Next
Moving forward after a spinal cord injury can seem like an impossible task, especially if you have to fight just to get enough compensation to get through the first year. This is a lifelong injury and you need compensation to account for all of the changes. Count on the Dante Law Firm to provide you with an experienced spinal cord injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale.
We want to make sure that the person or company responsible for your injury is held accountable so that you have enough money to cover all of your expenses. You can contact us by clicking here or calling 305-949-2526 for a free consultation.