A spinal cord injury can change everything in an instant. Whether it happens in a car accident, a fall from a height, or any other traumatic event, the resulting paralysis, loss of sensation, or permanent disability can leave you facing a lifetime of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and financial uncertainty that you never anticipated.
At Hollis Law Firm, our team is committed to fighting for our clients’ rights when a spinal cord injury has upended their lives. Based in Overland Park and serving clients across Kansas and Missouri, we handle personal injury cases with the dedication and care each situation deserves. With over $100 million collected in settlements and judgments for our clients, we understand what is at stake, and we are ready to listen to you.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury and How Does It Happen?
A spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord or the nerves at the end of the spinal canal suffer damage, typically disrupting signals between the brain and the body. These injuries range from incomplete, where some function remains below the injury site, to complete, where no function remains. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of spinal cord injuries, and using a seatbelt can reduce the possibility of this type of injury by more than half.
Injuries of this nature most frequently result from traumatic accidents where another party’s negligence played a role. Common causes our team sees include motor vehicle collisions, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and construction site incidents. When someone else’s careless or reckless behavior caused your injury, you may have the right to pursue fair compensation for the harm you have suffered.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Spinal Cord Injury?
The financial impact of a spinal cord injury is substantial. Medical expenses alone can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars in the first year, and ongoing care costs can continue for decades. Our team works to help you pursue every category of compensation available under Kansas and Missouri law.
A spinal cord injury claim may seek recovery for the following:
- Medical Expenses: Past and future hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care costs
- Lost Wages: Income you were unable to earn while recovering, as well as reduced earning capacity going forward
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury
- Disability and Disfigurement: Damages reflecting the permanent impact the injury has on your daily life
- Wrongful Death: When a spinal cord injury proves fatal, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim
Every case is different, and the compensation available to you will depend on the specific circumstances of your injury and the evidence supporting your claim. Our team will evaluate the full scope of your losses to help ensure nothing is overlooked when building your case.
How Does Kansas and Missouri Law Affect Your Claim?
Both Kansas and Missouri follow comparative negligence rules, meaning your ability to recover fair compensation may be affected if you are found partially at fault for the accident. Kansas uses a modified comparative fault system, which bars recovery if you are 50% or more at fault. Missouri uses a pure comparative fault system, allowing recovery even if you share in the fault, though your compensation is reduced proportionally.
Why Does Timing Matter?
In Kansas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. Missouri generally allows five years. Missing these deadlines can bar you from recovering anything at all, which is why taking prompt action after a serious injury matters greatly.
Why Should You Work With Hollis Law Firm After a Spinal Cord Injury?
Hollis Law Firm operates on a simple philosophy: we are your guides. After taking the time to understand your needs, we will provide you with the education you need to make informed decisions, and then we will take action based on the choices you make. We are here to represent you, not to push you toward an outcome that may not be in your best interest.
Our lawyer handles car accidents, brain injuries, and a wide range of serious personal injury matters throughout the Kansas City metro area and beyond. When you hire us, you gain a team that is fully invested in fighting for our clients’ rights and helping you get the results you need to move forward with your life.
Contact Hollis Law Firm for an Overland Park Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
A spinal cord injury demands serious legal representation. The medical costs, rehabilitation challenges, and long-term disability that follow these injuries are life-altering, and pursuing fair compensation on your own while recovering is an enormous burden to carry alone. Having a knowledgeable lawyer in your corner may make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your claim.
If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury due to another party’s negligence, reach out through our contact form to schedule a consultation. We serve clients across Overland Park, Kansas City, and the surrounding areas of Kansas and Missouri, and we are ready to listen to you.
