A spinal cord injury can change a person’s life in an instant, affecting movement, sensation, and independence. If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury because of someone else’s negligence in Durham or anywhere in Durham County, the Durham spinal cord injury attorneys at Portner & Shure can help. We have handled serious personal injury claims across North Carolina for more than 30 years.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries Around Durham
Durham’s highways, hospitals, and construction activity are common settings for the accidents that cause spinal cord injuries. A spinal cord injury often results from a sudden, high-force accident. Common causes include:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle collisions
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Falls from heights and on unsafe property
- Industrial and workplace accidents
- Sports and recreational injuries
Effects and Cost of a Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal cord carries the signals between the brain and the rest of the body, so damage to it can lead to full or partial paralysis, loss of sensation, chronic pain, and loss of control over basic bodily functions. Serious spinal cord injuries frequently require emergency care, surgery, and months or years of rehabilitation, and the lifetime cost of care can reach into the millions. Because many victims cannot return to work, the financial strain often falls on the whole family. Depending on the facts, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Proving Fault in a North Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Claim
A spinal cord injury claim usually turns on proving that another party’s negligence caused the injury — a careless driver, an unsafe property, or a negligent employer, for example. North Carolina follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which means that if the other side can show you were even slightly at fault, it can bar your recovery entirely. This is one of the harshest standards in the country, and insurance companies often spend heavily to defend these high-value claims, so a careful investigation and clear medical evidence are essential to protect your case.
How Long Do I Have to File? North Carolina’s Statute of Limitations
In North Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52), and generally two years for a wrongful death claim. Because a spinal cord injury can require long-term treatment before its full effects are known, it is wise to speak with an attorney early so evidence is preserved. Claims in Durham County are generally pursued through the Durham County Courthouse.
How Our Durham Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys Can Help
Insurance companies know that spinal cord injury cases carry high costs, and they often push back hard to limit what they pay. You should not face them alone. Our team works with medical and vocational experts to document the full extent of the injury, moves quickly to preserve evidence, and pursues fair compensation. We work on a contingency basis, which means there is no fee unless we recover for you.
We Can Help If English is Not Your First Language
Our firm serves a diverse community, and we have team members who speak Spanish and Korean. We can discuss your case in a language you are comfortable with so nothing is lost in translation.
Contact Our Durham Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in Durham or anywhere in Durham County, contact Portner & Shure for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Other Injury Cases We Handle in Durham
- Durham Car Accident Lawyers
- Durham Truck Accident Lawyers
- Durham Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
- Durham Personal Injury Lawyers
- Durham Wrongful Death Lawyers
- Durham Premises Liability Lawyers
- Durham Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
- Durham Bicycle Accident Lawyers
- Durham Dog Bite Lawyers
- Durham Brain Injury Lawyers
- Durham Medical Malpractice Lawyers
- Durham Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
- Durham Bus Accident Lawyers
