A spinal cord injury instantly changes a life, sometimes creating a new reality filled with challenges and uncertainties. The path forward may seem daunting, but you don’t have to face it alone. If someone else’s carelessness harmed you, a Bakersfield spinal cord injury lawyer can pursue compensation.
The Law Offices of Mickey Fine is here to help you understand your legal options and fight for the resources you need. Call us at (661) 333-3333 for a free, confidential consultation today.
Bakersfield Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Guide:
- Types of Spinal Cord Injury Cases We Handle in Bakersfield
- Understanding Compensation for Your Bakersfield Spinal Cord Injury
- How a Bakersfield SCI Attorney Helps You
- FAQ for Bakersfield Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
- Securing Your Future After a Spinal Cord Injury
Why Choose Law Offices of Mickey Fine for Your Bakersfield Spinal Cord Injury Case?
When you or a loved one suffers a spinal cord injury (SCI), selecting the right legal representation is a significant decision. The consequences of an SCI are lifelong and far-reaching, requiring a legal team that understands the immense stakes involved.
The Law Offices of Mickey Fine offers dedicated and knowledgeable legal assistance to individuals and families in Bakersfield navigating these incredibly difficult circumstances. We’re committed to helping you secure the resources needed for the best possible quality of life.
Deeply Connected to the Bakersfield Community
Our firm doesn’t just take cases in Bakersfield; we’re an integral part of this community. We thoroughly understand Kern County, from its neighborhoods like Westchester and Seven Oaks to the specific local court procedures.
Our familiarity with the Bakersfield area allows us to build strong, locally relevant cases for residents who have sustained devastating spinal injuries. We’re committed to serving our neighbors with diligence and compassion.
Experience With Highly Complex SCI Claims
Spinal cord injury cases are among the most complex in personal injury law. They involve intricate medical evidence, collaboration with life care planners, and a deep understanding of the long-term financial needs associated with paralysis.
The Law Offices of Mickey Fine has a history of handling challenging SCI claims. We work diligently to demonstrate the full impact of the injury, not just today, but for all the years to come.
Compassionate Support
We recognize that an SCI brings more than just physical changes; it creates enormous emotional and financial burdens for the injured person and their entire family. At the Law Offices of Mickey Fine, we provide compassionate support throughout every phase of the legal process.
We prioritize listening to your story, addressing your concerns, and keeping you fully informed and involved in your case.
We Manage the Legal Burdens
The period following a spinal cord injury may involve medical appointments, therapy sessions, and the overwhelming task of adjusting to a new way of life. Dealing with insurance companies and complex legal procedures is an added stress you don’t need.
A Bakersfield SCI attorney from our firm takes on these burdens. We handle the investigations, negotiations, and all legal filings, allowing you and your family to concentrate on healing, rehabilitation, and adapting to the future.
Contact the Law Offices of Mickey Fine at (661) 333-3333 for skilled legal assistance with your Bakersfield spinal cord injury claim.
Types of Spinal Cord Injury Cases We Handle in Bakersfield
Spinal cord injuries arise from various traumatic events, each presenting unique legal challenges. These injuries often result in permanent changes, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia (tetraplegia), profoundly affecting mobility and sensation.
The Law Offices of Mickey Fine assists clients in Bakersfield who have suffered spinal cord damage due to numerous types of incidents.
Vehicle Accidents
A significant number of spinal cord injuries occur due to trauma from motor vehicle accidents. High-impact collisions involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles on Bakersfield roads like Coffee Road or near the Westside Parkway might exert extreme forces on the spine.
Whether it’s a rear-end collision, a T-bone accident at an intersection, or a rollover, the damage to the spinal column can be severe and life-altering.
We investigate these accidents to determine negligence, which might involve a distracted driver, someone speeding, or driving under the influence.
Falls
Falls, especially from heights or in older adults, are another leading cause of SCIs. These accidents happen in various settings, including slips and falls on poorly maintained property (premises liability), falls from ladders or scaffolding on construction sites, or falls down stairs.
If a dangerous condition on someone else’s property led to a fall that caused your spinal cord injury, the property owner or manager might be liable.
Machinery Accidents
Certain occupations, particularly in construction, oilfields around Kern County, and industries involving heavy machinery, carry a higher risk of accidents that can lead to spinal cord injuries.
Incidents such as being struck by heavy objects, machinery malfunctions, or falls from elevated platforms can cause devastating spinal damage.
Acts of Violence
Tragically, spinal cord injuries may result from intentional acts of violence, such as gunshot wounds, stabbings, or physical assaults. If a criminal act caused your SCI, you might have a civil claim for damages against the perpetrator.
Recreational and Sports Injuries
While less common for legal claims unless there’s apparent negligence, some spinal cord injuries occur during sports or recreational activities. Diving into shallow water, impacts during contact sports, or accidents involving recreational vehicles can sometimes lead to severe spinal trauma.
If defective equipment or negligent supervision contributed to such an injury, there might be grounds for a claim. A Bakersfield lawyer for SCI can review the details of such incidents.
Understanding Compensation for Your Bakersfield Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury is one of the most financially devastating injuries a person can suffer, and the costs extend far beyond initial medical treatment, often encompassing a lifetime of specialized care, equipment, and lost opportunities.
If another party’s negligence caused your SCI in Bakersfield, you might be entitled to significant compensation. A Bakersfield spinal cord injury lawyer is essential to help you identify and pursue the full range of damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the measurable financial losses that result directly from your spinal cord injury. Your lawyer calculates these losses based on actual expenses and projected future costs.
Examples include:
- Lifelong Medical Costs: This compensation includes all past, present, and future medical expenses such as surgeries, hospitalizations, doctor visits, medications, pain management, rehabilitation, and treatment for secondary conditions like infections or pressure sores. It also covers the cost of essential in-home health care or attendant services, which might be needed after an accident.
- Lost Income: An SCI almost invariably affects a person’s ability to work. Compensation covers wages lost during recovery and the loss of future earning capacity if you can’t return to your previous job or any gainful employment.
- Medical Equipment: Individuals with SCIs may require a range of assistive devices, such as wheelchairs (manual and powered), ventilators, specialized beds, communication aids, and other medical equipment.
- Home and Vehicle Modifications: To live with an SCI often requires significant modifications to one’s home, such as ramps, widened doorways, accessible bathrooms, and kitchen adaptations. Vehicles may also need to be modified.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for the intangible but very real human losses associated with a spinal cord injury. While no amount of money can undo the harm, these damages acknowledge the profound personal suffering and impact on your quality of life.
Examples include:
- Pain and Suffering: This accounts for the chronic physical pain, discomfort, and mental anguish endured due to the SCI and its complications.
- Emotional Distress: A spinal cord injury is a physically and emotionally traumatic event. Compensation may be sought for conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and the overall psychological impact.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: An SCI may severely limit or prevent participation in hobbies, recreational activities, social engagements, and other aspects of life that bring joy and fulfillment.
- Loss of Consortium: If the SCI affects your relationship with your spouse, they might have a claim for loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy.
- Disfigurement: You may seek compensation for scarring and disfigurement.
A dedicated Bakersfield spinal cord injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Mickey Fine works tirelessly to build a comprehensive claim.
We collaborate with medical and economic experts to thoroughly document and quantify your damages, enabling us to pursue the maximum possible recovery for you.
How a Bakersfield SCI Attorney Helps You
A Bakersfield SCI attorney from the Law Offices of Mickey Fine acts as your dedicated advocate. We guide you through the complex legal system to pursue the full compensation you deserve for such a life-altering injury.
Investigating the Cause of Your SCI
Your SCI attorney conducts a comprehensive investigation into how your injury occurred. This involves gathering all relevant evidence, including police reports, traffic footage, and witness statements.
We may consult with accident reconstructionists or engineering professionals to precisely determine the chain of events and establish fault for your Bakersfield spinal cord injury.
This detailed groundwork is how we build a compelling case, but the investigation takes time. Make sure you reach out well before the statute of limitations runs out.
Identifying All Potentially Liable Parties
In many spinal cord injury cases, especially those resulting from severe accidents like commercial truck collisions, multiple parties may bear responsibility. For instance, a negligent driver, their employer, a vehicle manufacturer, or a property owner could all contribute to the accident.
A knowledgeable Bakersfield spinal cord injury lawyer diligently works to identify every party whose actions or inactions contributed to the injury.
Calculating Your Damages
A spinal cord injury frequently leads to extraordinary and lifelong expenses. Your attorney works meticulously to calculate the full extent of these damages, which go far beyond initial hospital bills.
We also factor in the costs of assistive devices like advanced wheelchairs, home and vehicle modifications for accessibility, in-home nursing care, and other necessary long-term support services.
Our comprehensive calculation also includes lost income and diminished future earning capacity.
Aggressively Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are businesses, and their primary goal is often to minimize payouts, regardless of the severity of the injury. Adjusters for the at-fault party may offer a quick, low settlement that doesn’t begin to cover the true lifetime costs of a spinal cord injury.
Your Bakersfield SCI attorney serves as your powerful negotiator. We understand insurance companies’ tactics and are prepared to counter them with strong evidence and a clear presentation of your current and future needs.
We fight for a settlement that truly reflects the profound impact of your spinal injury.
Taking Your Case to Trial (if Necessary)
While many personal injury claims resolve through settlement negotiations, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Your Bakersfield spinal cord injury lawyer will fight aggressively in court if the insurance company or liable parties don’t offer fair compensation for your significant damages.
We have the experience to present your case compellingly before a judge to secure the justice and financial recovery you need.
FAQ for Bakersfield Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
What Are the First Steps To Take After a Spinal Cord Injury in Bakersfield?
If you have already received medical attention, the immediate focus shifts to preserving your legal rights and gathering crucial information. Collect any documents related to your injury, such as medical records, accident reports (if applicable), and details of any witnesses.
Keep a detailed journal documenting your daily challenges, pain levels, medical appointments, and how the injury impacts your life and family. Consult a Bakersfield spinal cord injury lawyer before speaking with the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster or providing a recorded statement.
How Is Fault Determined in a Bakersfield Spinal Cord Injury Case?
Determining fault in a Bakersfield spinal cord injury case involves a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident. If it were a vehicle accident, your lawyer examines police reports, witness testimony, and vehicle damage.
For falls, an investigation looks at property maintenance records, building codes, and any history of similar incidents. Your attorney gathers evidence to establish that another party’s negligence or wrongful act directly caused your injury.
What if My Loved One Is Unable To Communicate or Act on Their Own Behalf Due to the SCI?
If a spinal cord injury is so severe that the injured person cannot manage their own affairs or communicate their wishes, a family member may need to act on their behalf. Contact a lawyer to discuss your options.
How Does a Bakersfield Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Prove the Lifetime Costs Associated With My Injury?
To prove the lifetime costs of your SCI, your Bakersfield spinal cord injury attorney may work with a team of professionals, including your treating physicians, who provide details on your current condition and prognosis.
Life care planners develop a comprehensive plan outlining all anticipated future medical needs, attendant care, equipment, therapies, home modifications, and associated costs over your lifetime.
Economists may then project these costs into the future, considering inflation and other factors, and vocational professionals can assess the impact on your earning capacity.
Can I Still Pursue a Claim if a Hit-and-Run Driver or an Uninsured Driver Caused the Accident in Bakersfield?
Yes, you may still have options for recovery even if a hit-and-run driver or an uninsured driver caused your spinal cord injury in Bakersfield. Your own auto insurance policy might include Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage.
A Bakersfield SCI attorney can review your insurance policy to determine if this coverage applies and help you file a claim with your insurance company.
Securing Your Future After a Spinal Cord Injury
The road ahead after a spinal cord injury is undeniably challenging, but it’s a road you don’t have to travel alone. The future may look different, but a fulfilling life is still possible with the right support and resources.
Our Bakersfield Personal injury lawyer at Law Offices of Mickey Fine is committed to fighting for the comprehensive compensation you need. We’re here to lift the legal burden from your shoulders.
Call us at (661) 333-3333 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Law Offices of Mickey Fine – Bakersfield Office
930 Truxtun Ave, #110
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: (661) 333-3333