Should I Seek Damages for a Spinal Cord Injury?

By Peter DePaolis
Attorney

Did you know that spinal cord injuries are incredibly expensive for victims? According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the cost of living with a spinal cord injury varies greatly depending on the severity of the injury and the age of the victim.

For victims ages 25-50, the cost of treating High Tetraplegia, Low Tetraplegia or Paraplegia could easily reach several millions of dollars. Sadly, more than 250,000 people living in the U.S. are affected by spinal cord injuries, which are estimated to cost the public $9.7 billion annually.

Many situations can result in a spinal cord injury, including vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. If you or your loved one is ever involved in an accident where someone else is at fault, you should speak to an attorney. People should keep in mind the costs associated with treating spinal cord injuries when seeking damages.

Maryland Construction Worker Awarded $21.7 Million for a Spinal Cord Injury

Recently, a Maryland jury awarded a man who was paralyzed from the neck down due to a construction accident $21.7 million. According to the Washington Post, Hugo Hernandez Palomino, 28, was working on scaffolding at a Pepco site in Montgomery County in 2013 when he was struck by a transformer.

Palomino fell eight feet before landing on concrete, resulting in a snapped spine. In addition to the spinal cord injury, he also suffered severe burns due to the electric shock emitted by the transformer.

Palomino sued Pepco for negligence, as well as a subcontractor, V&T Builders. He was awarded $35.9 million to cover both economic and non-economic damages, but because of laws capping non-economic damages, the amount was reduced to $21.7 million.

Speaking to an Attorney About a Spinal Cord Injury

As this case shows, you can file a lawsuit seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering if you suffer a spinal cord injury in an accident. This money can be incredibly helpful, as the cost for treatment can be astronomical.

For more information about spinal cord injuries, you can visit our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.

Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia Injury Attorneys

Sponsored by: Attorney William P. Lightfoot

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/paralyzed-construction-worker-awarded-217-million-after-accident-at-pepco-site/2014/10/24/92ada96a-5bb5-11e4-bd61-346aee66ba29_story.html

About the Author
Peter DePaolis joined the firm in 1980 and has since represented a large number of individuals involved in automobile collisions, truck accidents, bus crashes, defective products, and medical malpractice cases. A significant portion of Mr. DePaolis’ practice is devoted to working on behalf of people suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related cancers. He has led his firm’s fight against the asbestos industry and has recovered over $30 million in damages for asbestos victims and their families.