What You Can do Legally if You've Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury
Suffering a spinal cord injury (SCI) can be life-altering, affecting not only your physical abilities but also your emotional well-being, finances, and future plans. These injuries often require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments. If your spinal cord injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions, you can get the help of a spinal cord injury lawyer in Wisconsin to protect your rights and secure the compensation you need. Understanding what you can do legally after a spinal cord injury is an important step toward rebuilding your life.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention and Documentation
Your first priority after a spinal cord injury should always be your health. Prompt medical treatment can prevent further damage and improve long-term outcomes. From a legal standpoint, medical records are also critical. Detailed documentation of your diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and future care needs provides essential evidence if you pursue a legal claim. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely, attend all appointments, and keep copies of medical bills, test results, and rehabilitation records.
Identify the Cause of the Injury
Spinal cord injuries can occur in many ways, including car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall incidents, workplace accidents, sports injuries, medical malpractice, or acts of violence. To take legal action, it is important to determine whether another party’s negligence or misconduct caused your injury. Negligence generally means someone failed to act with reasonable care, leading to harm. For example, a distracted driver, a property owner who ignored safety hazards, or an employer who failed to follow workplace safety regulations may be held legally responsible.
Understand Your Right to Compensation
If another party is liable for your spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Compensation can cover a wide range of damages, including current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In severe cases, damages may also include the cost of home modifications, mobility equipment, and long-term personal care assistance.
File an Insurance Claim or Personal Injury Lawsuit
Many spinal cord injury cases begin with an insurance claim, such as filing with an auto insurance company after a vehicle accident. However, insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit. A lawsuit allows you to formally present your case, gather evidence through discovery, and potentially have your claim decided by a judge or jury.
Be Aware of Legal Deadlines
Every state has a statute of limitations, which is a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to pursue compensation entirely. The time limit can vary depending on the type of case and jurisdiction, so acting quickly is essential. Certain exceptions may apply, but it is best not to rely on them.
Consider Hiring Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Rozek in Wisconsin
Spinal cord injury cases are often complex and high-stakes. An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate your case, gather expert testimony, calculate the full value of your damages, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Having legal representation can significantly improve your chances of obtaining fair compensation and allow you to focus on your recovery rather than legal stress.
A spinal cord injury can affect every aspect of your life, but you do not have to face the legal challenges alone. By seeking medical care, preserving evidence, understanding your rights, and pursuing appropriate legal action, you can hold responsible parties accountable and secure the financial support needed for long-term care and stability. Taking these steps can help you move forward with greater confidence and peace of mind during an incredibly difficult time.
Since 1996, Randy Rozek has focused his practice on the representation of victims of serious, life-changing spinal cord injuries caused from someone else’s negligence. Randy has extensive experience representing victims throughout the United States. Because of this experience, Randy routinely gets called in to co-counsel cases from around the country by attorneys with less experience handling these types of cases. If you are in need of a skilled lawyer to represent you in your case, contact Rozek Law by calling (414) 374-4444.
Rozek Law Offices, S.C.
3970 N Oakland Ave Ste 604
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211
(414) 374-4444















