PRACTICE AREAS
Spinal Cord Injuries
“My son Aaron age 19, was a seat-belted back seat passenger involved in a single vehicle accident. There were no drugs or alcohol involved in this accident. My son received a star burst fracture of the C7 vertebrae. This caused him to become an incomplete quadriplegic. There are no words to describe the grief and shock our family felt. During the initial stages of my son’s treatment I was quickly learning the complications and future care needs associated with an injury of this magnitude. At this time I was being asked to sign insurance forms and speak with adjusters from ICBC. I was hearing terms such as “part 7”. I decided to retain a personal liability lawyer to ensure my son would receive the best care and rehabilitation possible, and that his future care needs would be addressed. I obtained the names of six law firms and lawyers. I interviewed them all. We felt most comfortable with Parsons Corrin LLP. With their help, we assembled a team of dedicated and knowledgeable professionals. No area of my son’s representation or rehabilitation was left unattended to. Almost 4 years later my son has had a remarkable recovery. He is walking and has full body function, with some neurological deficits. I can attribute this to his unwavering dedication to rehabilitation and Parsons Corrin LLP’s devoted team. If you are reading this letter you have my deepest sympathy. Should you or your family need to retain a personal liability lawyer, I believe that you would be well served by Parsons Corrin LLP.”
JGT
As in Aaron’s case, spinal cord injuries are traumatic both physically and emotionally for injury survivors and their families.
If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, book a free consultation with our spinal cord injury lawyer team to see how we can help the recovery process during this difficult time.
Parsons Corrin LLP are western Canada’s leading law firm focusing on these types of cases. With 20 years of proven results in handling complex spinal cord injury claims, we have helped survivors receive the fair compensation they deserve and return to as normal a life as possible.
Beyond seeking the maximum settlement possible, what makes us different to other personal injury lawyers is the comprehensive rehabilitation plan we put in place for the survivor. We look at short and long term care needs, and assist the survivor’s recovery process by also educating family members about life with a spinal cord injury.
What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
Your spinal cord is made up of nerves and other soft tissue that extend from the base of the brain down to the waist. Your vertebrae–the stacked bones that make up the spine–protect the spinal cord, which is responsible for sending messages between the brain and all parts of the body.
A spinal cord injury is when a person suffers a sudden, traumatic blow that fractures, dislocates, crushes or compresses one or more of the vertebrae, damaging the spinal cord beneath. Bleeding, inflammation or fluid accumulation can cause additional damage over the following days or weeks.
The spinal cord itself is quite vulnerable to damage. Absent the protection of the spinal column even a small ‘tap’ can cause permanent damage.
Spinal cord injuries are extremely serious physical traumas that can cause a complete loss of sensation and mobility in the limbs below the injury.
Other spinal cord injury symptoms include:
- Paraplegia or quadriplegia
- Brain damage
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Difficulty or inability to move arms or legs
- Numbness or tingling
- Unconsciousness
- Headaches or pain, pressure, stiffness in the back or neck
Car accidents, serious falls, assault, birth injury, medical malpractice and professional negligence can cause traumatic spinal cord injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries Caused By Car Accidents
If the event of a car accident where you believe the injured person could be at risk of spinal cord damage, call 911 immediately for further instruction. Do not move the injured person unless they are in danger. Any movement could cause further damage.
A spinal cord injury as a result of a car accident must be reported to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) in order to receive rehabilitation and basic insurance benefits.
Spinal Cord Injuries Caused By Medical Malpractice or Professional Negligence
Spinal Cord injuries can occur in a medical malpractice context. One of Parsons Corrin LLP’s significant settlements occurred when a young man was taken to hospital after a significant trauma caused damage to his arm. The hospital took initial spinal cord precautions but ‘missed’ the spinal fractures. When the precautions were lifted and he was moved, permanent damage occurred.
Another relatively common “medical malpractice” spinal cord injury is Cauda Equina Syndrome (CAS). Cauda equina syndrome is a rare but serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. If cauda equina syndrome is not treated quickly, it can result in long term physical and neurological problems.
If you’ve sustained a spinal cord injury as a result of a medical malpractice or professional negligence you can learn your rights by booking a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer at Collette Parsons Corrin LLP: 604-662-7777.
Our seasoned personal injury lawyers can help you form a robust case, hold the negligent party responsible, and secure a settlement that lets you move on with your life.
How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help Maximize Your Claim
Often insurance companies try to discourage litigation or occasionally settle directly with an injured patient, before the full extent of damage is revealed. But by investigating the case more thoroughly, a specialized spinal cord injury lawyer could significantly increase the value of your claim.
We also have a team of medical experts, physiatrists, orthopedic surgeons, nurses, life care planners and others who can offer valuable guidance and represent your case in court.
Spinal cord injury cases can be lengthy, expensive and complex. But with Parsons Corrin LLP, you don’t pay any upfront legal fees or expenses. We are only paid when we successfully resolve your claim through trial or settlement.
Act Fast on Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim
The Statute of Limitations is a law in Canada that places a time limit on when claims must be filed by. These time limits vary province-to-province and can change depending on the facts of your claim. If you miss your window, you may be unable to recover medical costs. To find out which time limit applies in your case, speak to a lawyer well versed in spinal cord injury law as soon as possible.
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