Often, the value of a spinal cord injury case depends on the severity of the injury. Compensation may be higher in cases where there is partial or complete paralysis. This is partly because the costs associated with current and future medical care and treatment for these conditions are high, and there can be a significant loss of income and earning capacity. These are all considered economic damages.
However, the higher value of these cases is also partly due to the fact that the quality of life for a spinal cord injury victim dramatically changes. Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and emotional distress may factor into the value of a spinal cord injury claim. These factors are called non-economic damages and may be more difficult to calculate.
The value of a spinal cord injury claim may further depend on how the injury occurred. Car accident payouts may differ from workers’ compensation payouts. The same is true for medical malpractice claims. In Missouri, state law now places caps on medical malpractice claims. That means that there are limits to the amount of compensation that a victim may be able to recover if they file a successful medical malpractice claim.
With such a wide variety of factors playing into the value of a spinal cord injury case, the best way to determine what your case is worth is to contact an experienced spinal cord injury attorney. An attorney can review the specifics of your case and give you a reasonable estimate of what your case may be worth. We even offer a free consultation to help get you started.