Have you suffered a spinal cord injury in Tacoma, Washington? You may have the right to file a personal injury claim for substantial compensation against the responsible party or parties. The experienced Tacoma injury attorneys at Sears Injury Law can guide you through every step of the legal process while you focus on your health and well-being.
Our top-rated personal injury law firm has over 100 years of combined experience and has recovered more than $300 million for our deserving clients to date. We understand what’s at stake after a serious spinal cord injury and will stop at nothing, as the law allows, to help you recover maximum compensation.
Call (253) 544-5553 or reach out online today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Tacoma spinal cord injury attorneys and learn all about your legal rights and options.
How Can Sears Injury Law Help Me After a Spinal Cord Injury in Tacoma, Washington?
Spinal cord injuries often result from catastrophic events like car accidents, slips and falls, and truck accidents in Tacoma. Insurance companies know these cases can be worth significant amounts, so it’s likely that they will try and do everything they can to minimize the value of your claim. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side under circumstances like these is a practical necessity.
When you work with Sears Injury Law, our Tacoma spinal cord injury attorneys can:
- Investigate your accident to determine exactly how and why it happened
- Gather the evidence required to successfully prove your claim
- Consult with medical experts and other professionals to evaluate your injuries and long-term prognosis
- Calculate all of your damages, including those based on the future
- Handle all insurance company negotiations on your behalf
- Take your case to trial if a fair settlement can’t be reached
Want to learn more about forming an attorney-client relationship? Contact us today in Tacoma, WA, for a completely free initial consultation with our experienced Tacoma spinal cord injury lawyers.
What Types of Spinal Cord Injuries Are There?
Spinal cord injuries are generally classified as either complete or incomplete, and the severity often depends, in large part, on the location and extent of the damage.
- Complete spinal cord injuries result in total loss of movement and sensation below the injury site, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Incomplete spinal cord injuries allow for some retained motor or sensory function. Victims may experience partial paralysis, limited movement, or chronic pain.
Both types can require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and assistive devices like wheelchairs and braces. Our spinal cord injury lawyers in Tacoma can work with medical specialists to fully understand your prognosis and ensure your case reflects the long-term impact on your life.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available for Spinal Cord Injury Victims in Tacoma, WA?
Washington law allows spinal cord injury victims to seek compensatory damages for both financial and non-financial losses. Depending on your case, you may be entitled to recover economic and non-economic damages based on your:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
- Future medical and home care expenses
- Lost wages/diminished earning capacity
- Property damage, if applicable
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages are generally not available in Washington State personal injury cases, though there are some extremely rare exceptions authorized by statute only.
How Do I Prove Negligence in a Tacoma Spinal Cord Injury Case?
To succeed in a spinal cord injury claim, you must show that another party’s negligence caused your injury. In Washington, this typically requires proving four legal elements “by a preponderance of the evidence,” which is roughly a 51% or greater likelihood:
- Duty of care: The defendant had a responsibility to act reasonably to avoid causing harm.
- Breach of duty: They failed to uphold that duty through negligent or reckless behavior.
- Causation: Their breach directly led to your spinal cord injury.
- Damages: You suffered actual losses as a result.
Our legal team can gather the evidence needed to establish each of these elements on your behalf. We know how to build successful cases that stand up to arguments from insurance companies and defense attorneys alike.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in Tacoma?
Many spinal cord injury victims worry that hiring a lawyer will be too expensive, but that’s not the case. At Sears Injury Law, our spinal cord injury lawyers in Tacoma, Washington, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront or hourly fees for our legal services.
In fact, we only get paid if we recover money for you through a settlement or jury verdict. When we win your case, our payment is a percentage of your final recovery. Otherwise, you pay us absolutely nothing in terms of attorney’s fees.
How Long Do I Have To File a Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Washington?
Washington’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is typically three years from the date of your accident. This means you must file your lawsuit within that timeframe or risk losing your right to recover compensation altogether.
However, exceptions may apply, such as if the injury wasn’t immediately discovered or involved a government entity. To best protect your claim and legal interests, it’s best to contact a Tacoma spinal cord injury attorney as soon as possible. Early action also allows your lawyer to preserve the necessary evidence before it disappears.
Contact Our Tacoma Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A spinal cord injury can leave you facing lifelong challenges in Tacoma, WA, but it’s important to remember that you may be able to file a lucrative personal injury claim. With Sears Injury Law on your side, you’ll set yourself up for an outcome that makes you whole again as best as possible.
We’ve already recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients across more than a century of combined experience, so we’re capable of handling your case with the professionalism and reputation it deserves. Contact our Tacoma spinal cord injury lawyers online or call (253) 544-5553 today to get started with a free consultation.