If you’re interested in pursuing damages for a spinal cord injury, it’s important to research the overall financial reality of your condition. Whether your injury is considered an “incomplete spinal cord injury” or a “complete spinal cord injury,” you’re likely facing a lifetime of exorbitant medical and personal care expenses. This is a financially devastating reality for many spinal cord injury survivors who are no longer able to hold gainful employment. In many cases, damages from a personal injury case are essential to ensuring their future well-being and survival.
The Cost of Medical Care
The cost of medical care depends entirely upon the severity of an injury and the treatments a victim requires. Medical expenses can easily exceed $1 million in the first year alone.
Medical expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Spinal surgeries
- Medications and painkillers
- Medical equipment purchases
- Ventilators and breathing apparatuses
- Rehabilitation and counseling sessions
For example, paraplegics can expect to pay at least $500,000 in medical expenses during their first year of treatments. In subsequent years, this amount will drop to a consistent $70,000 average for the rest of their lives.
Long-Term Expenses & Hidden Fees
It’s imperative that spinal cord injury survivors plan for basic lifetime costs before filing their personal injury claim. After all, the paraplegic paying $70,000 a year in medical costs has additional yearly expenses that also need to be accounted for.
Additional lifetime costs include:
- Personal caregiving
- Reproductive assistance
- Post-discharge physical and mental therapy sessions
- Specialized vehicles and transportation equipment
- Standing frames
- Home modifications
It’s estimated that a spinal cord injury can cost a single survivor over $10 million over the course of their life. If you’re awarded damages, it may be easier for you to afford the ongoing medical expenses and personal caregiving costs that ensure your quality of life.
Pursue Damages
Contact Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC if you’re interested in filing a personal injury claim. Our Charleston personal injury attorneys can help you pursue damages by investigating your case and representing you in court.
We offer free consultations! Contact our personal injury lawyersat (843) 968-0886 if you’re ready to pursue justice and compensation.