Spinal cord injuries are one of the most devastating types of injuries that you can sustain, so it’s no surprise that there are significant costs associated with these injuries. But, what is the actual cost of spinal cord injuries? How much should you expect to spend if you sustain spinal cord damage? Here’s what you need to know:
Medical Expenses
The medical expenses that you incur after a spinal cord injury will depend on the severity of the injury and the treatment that is needed. Injuries may need to be treated with surgery, rehabilitation, long-term care, medical equipment, and medication.
Costs tend to be the highest during the first year and then decrease in the years after. The Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation estimates that people with high tetraplegia will spend around $1 million on medical expenses in the first year, and then about $185,000 every year after. Victims with low tetraplegia spend about $769,000 in the first year, and $113,000 in the following years. The Foundation also estimates that paraplegics will incur around $518,000 in medical expenses during the first year, which will then drop down to $69,000 beginning in the second year.
Spinal cord injury victims may also experience mental health issues that need to be treated by a mental health professional, which can increase the annual medical expenses even further.
Lost Wages
Besides the medical expenses, victims will also suffer lost wages when their injuries prevent them from working. The vast majority of spinal cord injury victims are unable to work during the first year. Some victims are eventually able to return to work, but only after years of treatment. Even if you do eventually return to the workplace, you may not be able to work as many hours or return to the same type of work you were doing prior to your injury.
Other Expenses
There are other expenses associated with spinal cord injuries that also need to be taken into consideration when valuing your personal injury claim. Many spinal cord injury victims need to modify their homes by installing wheelchair ramps or elevators so they can get around, which can cost thousands of dollars. Spinal cord injury victims may also need to travel to another city or state to receive treatment from specialists. The costs of airfare and hotel accommodations should also be included in your personal injury claim.
Life after a spinal cord injury is incredibly expensive. If you have sustained a spinal cord injury because of the negligence of another person, you may be able to recover compensation for these expenses by filing a personal injury claim. Contact an attorney at Reisch Law Firm to discuss your legal options. You can schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
