Durham Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys
If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury, you’re not alone. At Riddle & Brantley, our Durham spinal cord injury lawyers are here to offer the support and legal advice you need during this challenging time.
Our firm is committed to advocating for those affected by spinal cord injuries in Durham and throughout North Carolina. With compassion and dedication, we strive to secure justice and compensation for our clients.
Why Choose Riddle & Brantley for Your Spinal Cord Injury Case?
Since our founding in 1985, Riddle & Brantley has stood by North Carolinians, offering:
- A Convenient Location: Our office in Durham, located at 100 E Parrish St, Suite 200, near Durham City Hall, is easily accessible, making in-person consultations easy and stress-free.
- Experienced Legal Team: Our firm has 11 committed attorneys, along with a strong team of investigators, paralegals, case managers, and support staff. They bring over 220 years of legal experience to support your case.
- Proven Success: We have secured over $720 million in compensation for our clients since 2000, highlighting our dedication to achieving positive outcomes. (See disclaimer below.)
- Client-Centered Approach: We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. Our philosophy that “Justice Counts for ALL” ensures personalized, thorough representation for every client.
- Comprehensive Support: From the initial consultation to courtroom advocacy, we manage every aspect of your case, allowing you to focus on recovery while we fight for your rights.
Compensation for Spinal Cord Injury Victims in Durham
Spinal cord injury victims may be eligible for several types of compensation, including:
Medical Expenses
Spinal cord injuries can lead to significant medical costs, from emergency care to long-term rehabilitation. Compensation aims to cover these expenses, ensuring victims are not burdened by financial strain during their recovery.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering compensation acknowledges the emotional and psychological distress caused by spinal cord injuries, offering financial relief for the non-physical impacts of the injury.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
For victims unable to work due to their injuries, compensation for lost wages and future earning capacity is necessary. It addresses the immediate and long-term financial losses stemming from the injury.
Punitive Damages
In cases of egregious negligence, punitive damages may punish the responsible parties and deter similar conduct.
Where Can Spinal Cord Injuries Happen in Durham?
Here are specific locations in Durham where spinal cord injuries might happen:
Roadways and Intersections
Durham’s busy streets and highways, such as I-40, NC-147 (Durham Freeway), and the intersections around Duke Street and Roxboro Street, are common sites for vehicular accidents that can lead to spinal cord injuries. High-speed collisions, motorcycle crashes, and pedestrian accidents in these areas can result in severe impacts on the spine.
Sports and Recreational Facilities
Facilities like the Durham County Memorial Stadium or the various sports complexes and parks, including the West Point on the Eno and Sandy Creek Park, host numerous athletic and recreational activities. Sports-related spinal cord injuries can occur during organized sports events, recreational play, or accidents involving equipment or falls.
Educational Institutions
Durham is home to prestigious educational institutions like Duke University and North Carolina Central University, where spinal cord injuries could arise from a variety of incidents. These include sports injuries, falls from buildings or structures, and accidents during campus construction or maintenance activities.
Healthcare Facilities
Major healthcare facilities, such as Duke University Hospital and Durham VA Health Care System, not only provide medical care but are also sites where spinal cord injuries might occur due to medical procedures or falls within the facility. Surgical errors, slips and falls, or accidents during patient transport are potential risks in these settings.
Construction Sites
With Durham’s ongoing development, construction sites throughout the city, including downtown redevelopment projects and expansions in residential areas like Southpoint and Brightleaf, pose risks for spinal cord injuries. Workers face hazards from falls, being struck by objects, or accidents involving machinery and vehicles.
Public Spaces and Commercial Properties
Public spaces such as The Streets at Southpoint Mall, American Tobacco Campus, and Durham Central Park, as well as various commercial properties, can be sites of accidental falls or other incidents leading to spinal cord injuries. These injuries can result from slips, trips, and falls due to unsafe conditions or negligence in maintaining the premises.
Durham’s Roadways for Cyclists and Pedestrians
Areas designated for cyclists and pedestrians, such as the American Tobacco Trail and the Ellerbe Creek Trail, present potential risks for spinal cord injuries due to collisions, falls, or encounters with motor vehicles at crossways.
Our Focus on Spinal Cord Injuries in Durham, NC
Spinal cord injuries can result from a wide range of accidents, each with its own set of difficulties. These injuries can lead to significant changes in an individual’s life, requiring experienced legal guidance throughout the claims process to secure just compensation.
Types of Accidents Leading to Spinal Cord Injuries
- Vehicle Accidents: Collisions involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians that can result in traumatic impacts to the spine.
- Falls: Slips, trips, and falls from heights or on the same level, common in workplaces, public spaces, and private properties, often leading to spinal injuries.
- Sports and Recreational Injuries: Accidents occurring during athletic activities, including contact sports, swimming, and recreational outdoor activities, can cause severe spinal damage.
- Workplace Accidents: Incidents in construction, manufacturing, and other industries where falls, machinery accidents, and lifting injuries can lead to spinal cord damage.
- Violence and Assaults: Injuries caused by violent encounters, including gunshot and stab wounds, which can sever or damage the spinal cord.
- Medical and Surgical Errors: Mistakes made during medical or surgical procedures that result in injury to the spinal cord, including complications from injections or surgeries.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
- Complete Spinal Cord Injury: Results in a total loss of function below the level of the injury, affecting both motor and sensory capabilities.
- Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Partial damage to the spinal cord, where the individual retains some function or sensation below the injury site.
- Paraplegia: Paralysis affecting the lower half of the body, typically resulting from injuries to the mid-to-lower spine.
- Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia: Paralysis of all four limbs, usually due to injuries to the cervical spine.
- Spinal Contusions: Bruising of the spinal cord that may lead to temporary or permanent impairments.
- Spinal Cord Compression: Pressure on the spinal cord that can cause varying levels of sensory and motor dysfunction, often requiring immediate medical intervention.
Fighting for Spinal Cord Injury Victims Against Insurance Companies
We advocate fiercely for our clients who have suffered spinal cord injuries, ensuring their rights are protected every step of the way. Here’s how we support our clients in their battles against insurance companies:
Identifying All Responsible Parties
In cases of spinal cord injuries, especially those resulting from accidents or negligence, we must identify all parties that may bear responsibility.
These incidents can occur in several settings, including vehicular accidents, falls, sports, and medical procedures, and often involve multiple responsible parties, such as individuals, corporations, or healthcare providers.
Our comprehensive investigations look into the incident’s circumstances, examining factors like safety protocols, the behavior of the parties involved, and adherence to legal standards. By identifying every entity whose actions or inactions contributed to the injury, we ensure a thorough pursuit of justice and compensation for our clients.
Gathering Evidence
Our team gathers evidence to build a strong case for our clients. This involves collecting medical documentation that details the extent and impact of the spinal cord injury, including diagnostic tests, treatment plans, and prognoses. We also secure eyewitness testimonies, expert medical opinions, and, when available, video or photographic evidence of the incident.
This evidence not only substantiates the claim but also illustrates the profound effect the injury has had on our client’s life. Through a detailed compilation of this evidence, we are prepared to present a compelling argument for our clients’ entitlement to full and fair compensation.
Advocating for Safety and Preventive Measures
While pursuing compensation for our clients is important, we are also dedicated to advocating for systemic changes that can prevent future spinal cord injuries. This involves highlighting safety lapses or negligence that led to the injury and pushing for policy changes, improved safety protocols, and increased awareness.
Whether it’s addressing road safety for vehicular accidents, improving sports safety equipment, or ensuring better patient care in medical settings, our goal is to effect change that protects individuals from similar harm in the future.
Securing Fair Compensation
Our negotiations with insurance companies are guided by a deep understanding of the full impact of spinal cord injuries on our clients’ lives, including their physical health, emotional well-being, and financial stability.
We vigorously advocate for compensation that covers medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and, when appropriate, punitive damages for gross negligence.
Our aggressive approach is designed to ensure that insurance companies meet their obligations to our clients, providing them with the financial support necessary for their recovery and adaptation to life after injury.
What to Do If You’re Affected by a Spinal Cord Injury
After experiencing a spinal cord injury, the steps you take can significantly impact both your recovery journey and the strength of any potential legal claim. Here’s a guide on what to do following a spinal cord injury:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Prioritize your health by getting medical care as soon as possible. Spinal cord injuries require prompt treatment to minimize long-term effects and begin the rehabilitation process.
Emergency medical professionals can assess your condition, stabilize your injury, and plan for necessary treatments or surgeries. Continued care, including rehabilitation and therapy, will be critical for your recovery and adaptation to changes in mobility or function.
Document Everything Related to the Injury
Start a detailed record of everything related to your injury. This includes taking notes on how the injury occurred, the names and contact information of any witnesses, and descriptions of your symptoms and challenges post-injury. Documenting these details can be beneficial for your legal team when building your case.
Preserve Evidence
Preserve all physical evidence of the accident and your injury. This might include clothing, equipment you were using at the time, and any personal belongings damaged during the incident.
If possible, take photographs or videos of the accident scene, focusing on any hazards or conditions that contributed to your injury. Also, save all medical records, receipts, and correspondence related to your injury and treatment.
Limit Communication with Insurance Companies
After an injury, insurance companies may reach out to discuss your case. Be cautious in these conversations. Insurance adjusters are skilled at obtaining information that could be used to reduce the value of your claim.
Politely decline to discuss your injury or agree to any settlements without consulting your lawyer. Anything you say can reduce the compensation you might receive.
Consult a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer can offer guidance and support. They can evaluate your case and explain your legal options. They will work to ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to for your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Follow Through with Your Medical Treatment
Adhering to the treatment plan prescribed by your healthcare providers is essential for your physical recovery and your legal case.
Consistent medical treatment and documentation of your injuries and recovery process demonstrate the seriousness of your condition. Insurance companies often scrutinize treatment gaps or deviations from medical advice to challenge claims.
Keep Records of All Related Expenses
Maintain a comprehensive record of all expenses related to your spinal cord injury. This includes medical bills, costs for medication, medical equipment, modifications to your living space, transportation to medical appointments, and any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to your injury.
You need these records to calculate the compensation needed to cover both your current and future needs related to the injury.
Contact a Durham Spinal Cord Injury Attorney at Riddle & Brantley
A spinal cord injury can create the most difficult experiences of your life, but you don’t have to face them alone. Contact our experienced Personal injury lawyer in Durham at (919) 728-1770 for your free, confidential consultation. Our experienced, compassionate team is ready to support you in your journey toward recovery and justice.
Riddle & Brantley Accident Injury Lawyers
100 E. Parrish St.
Suite 200
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 728-1770
By Appointment Only.
Hours of Operation*
Monday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Tuesday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Wednesday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thursday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday – 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday – 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM