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When someone is seeking a settlement for a back injury, a common question they often ask is, How much is my spinal cord injury settlement worth?

The fact is, there is no average payout for nerve damage or average cervical spine injury settlement amounts.

If you are also wondering about the value of your spinal cord, spinal fusion, or spinal stenosis injury settlement, you should consult the experienced personal injury attorneys at Farzam Law Firm.

Here is some guidance as to how back injury settlements are calculated.

What Factors Affect Spine Injury Settlement Amounts?

Every person’s case is different, so it is impossible to determine an average lower back injury settlement amount.

However, several factors commonly come into play, including:

  • The severity of your injuries;
  • Who was at fault;
  • How much you lost in your current wages, and how much you stand to lose in the future because of your injuries;
  • The cost of your future medical treatments for your injuries;
  • If there was any property damage in the accident;
  • Whether the insurance company is willing to negotiate fairly; and
  • Your attorney’s experience.

The value of your case also depends upon how well-supported it is.

You must have clear enough documentation of your injuries and other damages to prove a basis for the amount of compensation you are claiming. 

What Damages Can I Recover from a Spinal Cord Injury Settlement?

In California, plaintiffs in personal injury or medical malpractice lawsuits can recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are easier to calculate because they can be shown with numbers, although you might need an expert to help determine the cost of future expenses.

Non-economic damages are a bit more difficult, and a jury or insurance adjuster will determine their value.

Here are some examples of possible damages:

  • Medical expenses—past and future, including rehabilitation, ambulance rides, home aides, and necessary alterations to cars or homes;
  • Lost wages—past and future, including bonuses and commissions;
  • Pain and suffering—including not only physical pain but grief and anxiety;
  • Loss of consortium—your spouse’s injuries, i.e. loss of companionship and affection;
  • Property damage;
  • Shortened life expectancy;
  • Impaired enjoyment of life; and
  • Disfigurement.

Spinal cord injuries can be catastrophic. However, even less serious situations will require some level of treatment and life adjustment.

A spinal cord injury settlement can go a long way toward at least easing the stress of paying for these necessities.

Basics of a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit

Spinal cord injury lawsuits usually arise from either an accident or medical malpractice. You must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident.

Medical malpractice victims must file lawsuits within one year from the date that they discover the injury or three years from the date of the injury.

In either case, your attorney must prove that you suffered your injuries because of the defendant’s negligence.

They must also show the extent of your injuries, including all your damages, through documentation, evidence, and testimony. 

The majority of these cases actually settle outside of court.

Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance companies and defendants to try to get you a fair settlement that compensates you for your losses.

If the defendants will not negotiate fairly, you can then bring your lawsuit to trial and let a jury decide the outcome of your spinal cord injury settlement.

Contact Farzam Law Firm to Handle Your Personal Injury Claim

The attorneys of Farzam Law Firm are experienced trial attorneys.

We are dedicated to achieving great results for our clients and well-versed in personal injury claims of all types.

We know the nuances of this area of law and will not settle for getting you less than what you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Author Photo

Joseph Farzam

Mr. Farzam attended Santa Monica high school and worked at McDonald’s and local coffee shops to support himself. Although he worked 2 or 3 jobs, he valued education greatly and earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge in biology, and attended the prestigious Pepperdine University School of Law. He graduated with high marks and passed the California bar exam on the first try. Mr. Farzam has received the coveted titles of Super Lawyer, Los Angeles Magazine’s Top Lawyers, and has received The Litigator Awards.  He is a proud member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) and California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA).

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