Injuries to the spinal cord are extremely serious. They are also among the costliest types of injuries.
There is no such thing as a minor spinal cord injury; even those that do not lead to paralysis cost more than $1 million to treat.
These numbers do not include either lost income or non-economic damages like pain and suffering. This figure only includes out-of-pocket medical expenses and related costs.
How much a spinal cord injury will cost a patient depends a great deal on the circumstances. Since spinal cord injuries require ongoing treatment and care, younger people will pay more than those who suffer an injury later in life.
Furthermore, the severity and extent of the injury matters.
Someone who is completely paralyzed from the neck down will have more costs than someone who experiences more limited movement problems below their waist.
Many times, someone else is responsible to pay for a spinal cord injury
Those who suffer from a spinal cord injury and their families may not have to bear the financial burden of their injuries alone.
The common causes of spinal cord injuries include many preventable accidents:
- Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries.
- Among older adults, falling is the most common cause of spinal cord injuries.
- Gun violence and knife violence frequently cause spinal cord injuries. Of course, accidental gunshot wounds can cause spinal cord injuries just as easily as can intentional gun violence.
- Complications from surgery or a medical misdiagnosis can contribute to a debilitating spinal cord injury.
If a Detroit-area resident’s spinal cord injury is due to the negligence or misbehavior of someone else, then under Michigan law, they may be able to recover compensation for their losses. Given the high cost of living with a spinal cord injury, victims will likely need this compensation.