Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis and loss of mobility. Living with a spinal cord injury (SCI) and adapting to your new normal is often challenging and expensive. If your SCI was caused by another person’s negligence, our Rock Hill catastrophic injury attorneys can help.

Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys looks out for neighbors throughout South Carolina. We’re people who live and work here just like you. When a catastrophic back or spine injury changes your life, we will fight for you to receive maximum compensation. In one of our past cases, we secured a $10.28 million verdict for our client who had a spinal cord injury.

Consultations are free, and our clients pay nothing unless and until we win. To discuss what happened with our spinal cord injury lawyers in Rock Hill, SC, contact our law firm today

The Lasting Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)

A spinal cord injury can affect your life and the lives of your loved ones in numerous ways.

  • Changes in Mobility and Function: Spinal cord injuries often require survivors to use a wheelchair for mobility. Accident survivors may also require medical attendants and the use of a mechanical ventilator if they are unable to breathe on their own.
  • Lasting Changes in Physical Health: Spinal cord injuries can lead to muscle atrophy, muscle spasms, and a higher risk of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and heart disease.
  • Impact on Mental Health: Many people with spinal cord injuries report experiencing depression, anxiety, low moods, and feelings of loneliness, frustration, or social isolation.
  • Changes to Career and Livelihood: Injuries to the spine could prevent someone from continuing in their current career and possibly pursuing gainful employment.
  • A New Normal for Daily Life: Spinal cord injuries can change where you live, how you go about daily life, and the relationships you have with family and friends.

Our spinal cord injury attorneys in Rock Hill will discuss your life before and after the incident. This will help us seek full compensation for your losses and future needs.

Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

Doctors will often refer to complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries.

  • A complete spinal cord injury is a total lack of sensory and motor function below the level of injury. This usually means that the brain cannot send messages to the spinal cord.
  • An incomplete spinal cord injury is when some sensation or movement is possible below the level of injury. This means that the brain can still send some signals to the spinal cord.

Paraplegia vs. Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia)

Many people use the terms paraplegia and quadriplegia to describe the effects or symptoms of a spinal cord injury.

  • Paraplegia is the paralysis of the legs, pelvic region, and the lower trunk. 
  • Quadriplegia (tetraplegia) is the loss of function and movement of the arms and legs.

York County Medical Facilities That Can Help with Spinal Injuries

For families who are dealing with a serious spinal cord injury in York County, there is help here in the local area. Piedmont Medical Center provides brain and spine care services, including neurosurgery, pain management, and other specialized treatments.

There is also Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates in Rock Hill, which can assist with various spine disorders and injuries.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Rock Hill

Some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries in the local area include:

  • Car, Pickup, and SUV Wrecks: Major car crashes along I-77 or Cherry Road could result in paralysis and substantial changes to your daily life.
  • Motorcycle Crashes: Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to catastrophic injuries, which includes complete or incomplete spinal cord injuries.
  • Collisions with Large Trucks: The force generated in a crash with an 18-wheeler or dump truck can result in catastrophic back and spine injuries.
  • Bike and E-Bike Accidents: Cyclists can suffer severe injuries to the neck and back that can damage the spinal cord.
  • Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrians may experience paraplegia or quadriplegia if they are struck by a car, bus, or large truck.
  • Slips, Trips, and Falls: A major fall from a ledge or down a flight of stairs can cause severe injuries to the neck and spine.
  • Injuries at Construction Sites: Construction workers and people near a construction site can suffer catastrophic injuries.
  • Workplace Accidents: In addition to construction sites, spinal cord injuries could occur at warehouses and industrial workplaces.

Compensation for a Spinal Cord Injury

After a catastrophic spine injury, you can seek compensation for economic damages (measurable financial losses) and non-economic damages (subjective and intangible losses).

  • Medical Expenses and Future Treatment: This includes emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and physical rehabilitation. This also includes future health costs, medical attendants, and ongoing care.
  • Damage to Belongings and Property: This includes repair or replacement of a damaged vehicle, jewelry, electronics, clothing, and other valuables during the incident.
  • Lost Income and Earning Capacity: This includes lost income following the spinal cord injury. It also includes diminished earning capacity if your spine injury prevents you from continuing in your career or earning a living.
  • Home Renovations and Other Accommodations: This includes the installation of ramps and rails, changes to doorways, modifications to showers or bathrooms, and other changes to your living space.
  • Pain and Suffering: This includes mental anguish, emotional distress, depression, anxiety, sleep disruptions, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • Changes in Quality of Life: This includes the loss of enjoyment in past hobbies and lower overall sense of contentment or general well-being.
  • Loss of Consortium: This includes the impact the spinal cord injury has had on your spouse, partner, or other members of your household.

When you work with Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys, our Rock Hill spine injury lawyers will help you understand the full impact of your spinal injury and the true value of your claim.

How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, you typically have three years from the date of the spinal cord injury to file a lawsuit (S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530). Once that three-year statute of limitations has passed, you will not be able to file a claim.

If the incident that caused your spinal cord injury involved a government entity, the deadline is different. You will have one year from the date of the injury to file a verified notice of claim with the appropriate government agency. You then have just two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit.

It’s best to contact a Rock Hill spinal cord injury lawyer as soon as possible. Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys can let you know if you have a valid claim and help you meet these deadlines while you focus on recovery.

Why Choose Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys for Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim

Founded in 1980, Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys has helped generations of people throughout the Carolinas who’ve suffered serious injuries. We’ve become staples in the communities we serve. Chances are you’ve seen us around Rock Hill, and that matters to us.

We know that spinal cord injuries leave many people feeling scared and uncertain about the future. Our lawyers take that burden off you so you can focus on what matters most.

  • Experience Handling Serious Injury Cases: Our team of personal injury attorneys have decades of combined experience, which includes working on complex litigation involving catastrophic injuries to the neck, back, and spine.
  • We’ve Won More Than $100 Million for Clients: Our law firm has secured more than $100 million for people all over the Carolinas. This includes a $10.28 million verdict for a client with a spinal cord injury. We encourage you to look through our past verdicts and settlements to see the difference we’ve made for people who’ve been badly hurt.
  • We Will Meet You Where It’s Most Convenient: In addition to being available to clients 24/7, we can meet you where it’s most convenient. This is our way of making things easier for people living with a spinal cord injury.
  • You Pay Nothing Unless We Win: We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront. Our lawyers only get paid if we secure a settlement or a win in court. If we don’t win, you do not have to pay.

Contact a Rock Hill Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Near You

If you or someone you love has suffered a catastrophic back or spine injury, our attorneys are here to help. You deserve dignity, respect, and to be treated like a neighbor. For a free, no-obligation consultation with our spinal cord injury lawyers in Rock Hill, contact our law firm today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injuries

Below are some of the most common questions we’ve received about catastrophic back and spine injuries from York County individuals and families.

What is the average settlement value for a spinal cord injury case in South Carolina?

Some online sources suggest that the average spinal cord injury settlement in South Carolina can range from $500,000 to over $5 million. This really depends on the severity of the spinal injury, its long-term effect on a person’s life, and many additional factors that are unique to the individual situation.

When you work with our Rock Hill spinal cord injury lawyers, we can review what your life was like before and after the injury. Our attorneys can help you understand how much your case is actually worth.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident that caused my spine injury?

Yes, and this is because South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this system, you can still seek compensation for a catastrophic back or spine injury if you were 50% or less at fault. Your total compensation will be reduced by your share of liability.

Insurance companies may attempt to shift the blame onto you in order to reduce payouts. Our catastrophic spinal injury attorneys will push back against these claims so you can receive maximum compensation.

How do life care planners calculate the lifetime costs of complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries?

Life care planners will consider multiple factors when estimating the medical care costs of a spinal cord injury. This may include:

  • Assessing a person’s clinical baseline following a complete or incomplete spine injury
  • Determining the patient’s life expectancy
  • Identifying various future health needs (e.g., ongoing medical visits, supplies, medications)
  • The cost of current and future home modifications
  • The cost of a medical attendant or personal care

In addition to the above, life care planners will also account for inflation and how this will impact future health expenses for spinal cord injuries.