Spinal Cord Injuries: What a Lifetime of Care Costs and Who Pays
Few injuries are as devastating (physically, emotionally, and financially) as a spinal cord injury (SCI). In an instant, an accident can transform every aspect of a person’s life, from mobility and independence to their ability to work and care for themselves.
The consequences ripple far beyond the hospital stay, often requiring lifelong medical care, specialized equipment, home modifications, and daily assistance.
At Mainor Ellis Injury Lawyers, we help spinal cord injury victims and their families not only pursue justice but also secure the compensation they need to cover the staggering long-term costs of these catastrophic injuries.
The Real Cost of a Spinal Cord Injury
The financial burden of an SCI is often shocking, even for those with good health insurance. The lifetime cost for a spinal cord injury depends on severity and age at the time of injury but can reach up to $5 million or even more.
And those numbers only cover medical expenses and living assistance. They don’t include indirect costs such as lost income, reduced earning capacity, emotional trauma, or decreased quality of life. Victims and their families often face ongoing expenses like:
- Hospitalizations and surgeries: Multiple operations may be necessary over decades.
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy: Continuous therapy to maintain mobility and prevent complications.
- Specialized equipment: Wheelchairs, ventilators, lifts, and assistive technology.
- Home and vehicle modifications: Widened doorways, ramps, accessible bathrooms, and modified vehicles.
- In-home care: Daily assistance with personal tasks, which can cost $50,000 to $100,000 annually.
- Medical complications: Spinal cord injuries often lead to secondary issues such as infections, pressure sores, or respiratory problems, each requiring additional care.
For many families, these costs quickly become overwhelming. But if someone else’s negligence caused the injury, you should not have to bear them alone.
Who Pays After a Spinal Cord Injury?
That depends on how you suffered a spinal cord injury. Often, you can seek compensation by holding the following parties responsible.
1. Negligent Drivers, Property Owners, or Employers
If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, they may be held financially responsible under Nevada negligence law (NRS 41.130). You must show that:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care.
- They breached that duty through negligence or recklessness.
- That breach directly caused your injury.
- You suffered damages as a result.
If you cannot show any of these elements, you won’t have legal grounds to recover damages.
2. Product Manufacturers
If a defective product (e.g., a faulty seatbelt, vehicle part, or piece of industrial equipment) caused the injury, the manufacturer or distributor may be liable under Nevada’s strict product liability laws. In such cases, you don’t need to prove negligence, only that the product was defective and caused your harm.
3. Employers (Workers’ Compensation or Third-Party Claims)
If the injury occurred on the job, Nevada’s workers’ compensation system covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages, but it often falls far short of covering full lifetime costs. If a third party (like a subcontractor or equipment maker) contributed to the injury, you may also file a separate personal injury lawsuit for additional damages.
4. Insurance Companies
Auto, homeowners, or business liability insurance policies are often the primary sources of compensation. However, insurers frequently attempt to minimize payouts, especially in high-value spinal injury cases. A Las Vegas spinal cord injury lawyer can negotiate aggressively or take them to court if necessary to get you the compensation you deserve.
Get the Support You Deserve
A spinal cord injury changes everything, but you shouldn’t have to face the financial fallout alone. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, Mainor Ellis Injury Lawyers is here to help you pursue justice and the compensation you’ll need for a lifetime of care.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Our goal is to fight tirelessly to secure the financial support you and your family deserve. Call at 702-450-5000 today to get started.
Source:
leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-041.html
