If you or a loved one suffers a spinal cord injury, you need to know what paraplegia cases actually pay. You need to know how to maximize your settlement.
Our experienced Greenville personal injury lawyer at Bobby Jones Law explains average settlements for spinal cord injury in Greenville, SC.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Spinal Cord Injury in South Carolina?
Many spinal cord injury settlements in South Carolina remain confidential, so it’s impossible to know the average settlement for this type of injury. The state does not officially collect or report this information. Typical settlements range in the mid-six figures to more than $1 million because spinal cord injuries are especially severe and life-changing.
Remember, a few high or low amounts may skew an average. Each settlement is based on its own individual merits.
What Factors Determine Spinal Cord Injury Settlement Amounts in SC?
Several factors influence how much a spinal cord lawsuit is worth:
Severity of injury. The more severe an injury, the more physical pain, disability, disfigurement, and emotional suffering the person experiences. The devastation caused by the injury is a key factor in determining case value.
Long-term damages. Spinal cord injury victims often require long-term personal care, medical supplies, physical therapy, home modifications, and more. These needs can be included in the claim.
Type of case. In Greenville, SC, civil personal injury claims are valued differently from workers’ compensation claims. The type of claim you have impacts the award.
Insurance. An important part of any compensation claim is collecting the settlement. Insurance policies with high limits can increase settlement value.
Comparative fault. Shared fault for the accident can reduce compensation.
Case building. The plaintiff must prove their case. Thoroughly investigating and building evidence can increase case value.
Case strategy. Settling at the right time can maximize results. In some cases, it’s best to go to trial. Other times, a settlement is the better option.
Note: Laws vary by state. State law can impact how much a spinal cord injury is worth.
How Do Paraplegia and Quadriplegia Affect Settlement Value in Greenville Car Accident Cases?
Paraplegia and quadriplegia affect both the economic and non-economic settlement value in Greenville car accident cases. Paralysis means higher lifetime medical and personal expenses.
In addition, the person may seek compensation for the severe suffering and limitations caused by their injuries. They will endure physical pain, disfigurement, grief, and sorrow, and may have a reduced life expectancy. These personal losses can increase the settlement value in Greenville, SC, car accident cases.
How Are Future Medical Costs Calculated in a SC Spinal Cord Injury Settlement?
The steps to calculating future medical costs in a SC spinal cord injury settlement are:
- Investigation. You must investigate the person’s medical and personal care needs. You may work with medical experts and a life care planner.
- Calculation. Expected medical costs must be calculated. Experts can also help with this.
- Present value. The total lifetime dollar amount is reduced to present value.
Spinal cord injury settlements may be structured to protect the funds for the years to come. It’s also important to know which parts of a settlement are taxable.
How Does Lost Earning Capacity Affect Spinal Cord Injury Settlement Amounts in Greenville?
When a spinal cord injury affects a person’s ability to earn income, it is considered a type of damage. The amount is the difference between what the person likely would have earned before and what they are likely to earn in the future.
While this question may be speculative, it doesn’t mean that damages can’t be awarded. For example, when the victim is young, they may not have even entered their working years, but they almost certainly have lost earning capacity. The evidence must explain what’s reasonable to award for lost income for a spinal cord injury.
Why Do Insurance Companies Undervalue Spinal Cord Injury Claims in South Carolina?
Insurance companies may undervalue spinal cord injury claims in South Carolina for several reasons:
Knowledge. Victims often don’t know how comprehensive South Carolina personal injury compensation is and may overlook types of compensation.
Lack of evidence. Victims don’t thoroughly build the evidence. Because spinal cord injuries are severe, each category of damages must be supported with detailed evidence.
Future losses. Future damages are often overlooked.
Pressure to settle. Victims may find the case process overwhelming or may feel pressure to settle from the insurance company.
Profits. Spinal cord injury claims are often for large dollar amounts, which makes insurance companies particularly motivated to fight good claims.
The insurance company may try a variety of tactics to minimize an award. They may burden the person with invasive discovery requests and demands for medical records. They may allege comparative fault or use internal software programs to justify low offers.
Bobby Jones Law is an experienced spinal cord injury law firm. We can help you fight back when the insurance company minimizes your claim.
How Long Does a Spinal Cord Injury Settlement Take in Greenville, SC?
A spinal cord injury settlement typically takes between one and two years in Greenville, SC. That’s because it takes time to understand the person’s medical prognosis and work with experts.
At Bobby Jones Law, we’ve worked with hundreds of injury victims and can manage your case efficiently.
Why the Right Legal Representation Directly Determines Your Spinal Cord Injury Settlement Value in SC
The right legal representation is:
Experience. Skilled and experienced in spinal cord injury claims.
Knowledge. Understands the types of compensation you may claim.
Strategy. Gets to know you and personalizes a case plan for your success.
Understanding. Understands insurance company tactics and how to fight back.
Counselor. Is always available to answer your questions and provide guidance.
Bobby Jones Law is currently taking new cases. We represent injury victims and their families and can help spinal cord injury victims get the settlements that they deserve. Call or message us now.
