It goes without saying that the nature of spinal cord injury is such that the amount of damages that may be recovered against a party responsible for causing such injury is substantial. The average out-of-pocket cost of coping with a spinal cord injury in the first year can be as high as $741,000 for the most severe injuries. For each year after that, the average cost is approximately $132,000. The figures below do not include any indirect damages such as lost in wages, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish, which averaged $60,000 in 2006. All of these damages continue throughout the life of a victim. Average Yearly Expenses (in 2006 dollars) Severity of Injury First Year Each Subsequent Year High Tetraplegia (C1-C4) $741,425 $132,807 Low Tetraplegia (C5-C8) $478,782 $54,400 Paraplegia $270,913 $27,568 Incomplete Motor Function at any Level $218,504 $15,313 Estimated lifetime costs by Age at Injury (discounted at 2%) Severity of Injury 25 years old 50 years old High Tetraplegia (C1-C4) $2,924,513 $1,721,677 Low Tetraplegia (C5-C8) $1,653,607 $1,047,189 Paraplegia $977,142 $666,473 Incomplete Motor Function at any Level $651,827 $472,392

In spinal cord injury cases it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, review the medical procedures in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate the accident record and injuries.

If you or a loved one is a victim of spinal cord injury, contact Mills & Levine, Attorneys at Law at 877-660-4357 toll free, 704-660-1770 local for a FREE CONSULTATION so we can discuss your case, or COMPLETE OUR ONLINE CASE FORM HERE. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.