On a global scale, approximately 250,000 to 500,000 people experience a spinal cord injury every year. Spinal cord injuries are also a significant contributing factor to permanent disability in both Canadian adults and children.

Around 86,000 individuals struggle with spinal cord injuries in Canada. Moreover, an estimated 3,675 new cases of spinal cord injuries arise every year from traumatic and nontraumatic events. Regardless of how a spinal cord injury happens, it can have life-altering consequences and impose substantial financial burdens.

The medical expenses of spinal cord injuries can differ based on a variety of factors, such as age and the severity of the injury. For example, the costs of spinal cord injuries in Canada can vary from $39,330 for incomplete paraplegia to $148,620 for complete quadriplegia.

Have you or a loved one experienced economic and non-economic losses after sustaining a spinal cord injury? If the spinal cord injury happened in a motor vehicle accident because of someone else’s negligence, you can take legal action to seek compensation with the help of a spinal cord injury lawyer.

Featured on Daily Sundial

“Over the years, Diamond & Diamond lawyers have become champions for personal injury victims. People know them for their advocacy to give voice to those who seek justice. At Diamond & Diamond, the lawyers bring their clients into the firm’s close-knit world. They even give out their cell phone numbers to clients, which is relatively unheard of in the personal injury industry.”

Read the full article here.

How Spinal Cord Injuries Can Happen in Nova Scotia, Canada

A person’s spinal cord extends from the brain to the back. It contains bundles of nerves and nerve cells that transmit messages throughout the body. Injuries to the spinal cord can impact various bodily functions.

When a serious injury damages the spinal cord, nerve impulses may be blocked, resulting in temporary or permanent changes in bodily function. The injury can also be fatal if the spinal cord sustains too much damage.

Understanding how spinal cord injuries happen is important for risk awareness and prevention. Likewise, identifying where the injury stemmed from is vital for determining legal liability and securing the appropriate compensation.

Causes of spinal cord injuries can be categorized as non-traumatic and traumatic.

Non-traumatic causes

Non-traumatic spinal cord injuries develop from slow, internal damage to the spinal cord. They often stem from diseases or medical conditions, such as:

Infections
Cancer or tumours
Degenerative spine conditions
Inflammation
Congenital medical conditions

Traumatic causes

Abrupt, traumatic impact on the spine can cause fractures, dislocations, or compressions of one or more vertebrae. Common traumatic factors that may lead to spinal cord injuries include:

Car accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Truck accidents
Slip and fall accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Birth injuries due to medical malpractice
Acts of violence, like sexual assault

Legal Options Available for Spinal Cord Injury Victims in Nova Scotia

The aftermath of spinal cord injuries is often devastating and permanent. Obtaining fair compensation is crucial, especially when someone else’s negligence caused such an injury. The knowledge and assistance of a spinal cord injury lawyer are essential in these complex cases.

In Nova Scotia, individuals who suffer spinal cord injuries because of someone else’s negligence have the following legal options:

Apply for long-term disability benefits

Like brain injuries, a spinal cord injury can result in chronic pain and long-term disability.

If you made enough contributions to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), you may be eligible to receive CPP disability benefits if you become disabled and can’t perform any job regularly. In 2023, a CPP disability benefit can provide you with up to $1,538.67 per month, starting in January, which will increase every month to a maximum of $1,546.05 in December.

It’s important to note that CPP disability benefits aren’t automatic. They require an application, which the government will carefully review to make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements.

Additionally, the province of Nova Scotia offers long-term disability (LTD) benefits. Private insurance companies provide these benefits to individuals who suffer loss of income due to an illness or injury. To qualify, the injured person must be absent from work for more than 100 days.

In Nova Scotia, you can also receive long-term disability benefits through the Disability Support Program. It’s a provincial initiative designed to assist individuals of all ages with physical and intellectual disabilities, as well as long-term mental illnesses.

Seek compensation through an insurance claim

Nova Scotia operates under a no-fault insurance system. This means that regardless of who was at fault, you can seek specific benefits from your insurance company by filing a claim. This generally shortens the duration you need to get compensation from the other party.

Under the Insurance Act, insured drivers injured in a motor vehicle accident can recover Section B benefits, which is also called No-Fault or accident benefits. This provides coverage up to $50,000 for necessary and reasonable medical expenses.

Suppose the accident and resulting spinal cord injury hinder your ability to work. Section B also allows eligible individuals to seek compensation of up to 80 percent of their regular wages, or a maximum of $250, for loss of income, depending on whichever amount is less.

Pursue damages by filing a negligence lawsuit

Nova Scotia’s no-fault insurance system doesn’t mean that you can’t hold the at-fault party liable for your spinal cord injury. In fact, you can seek damages by filing a negligence lawsuit.

Negligence, which is one of the grounds for a personal injury case in Nova Scotia and across Canada, is when someone fails to act reasonably or acts without caution to prevent harm to others. Any action or inaction that results in an injury or wrongful death may allow you to file a valid personal injury claim.

The Importance of Hiring Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers in Nova Scotia

The financial cost and expense of a spinal cord injury victim’s care can be overwhelming. However, accident claims involving spinal cord injuries usually involve complex legal and medical issues that extend beyond the scope of a typical personal injury case.

Different types of injuries can affect the spinal cord. These injuries can have varying degrees of severity and losses. While some spinal cord injuries encompass obvious and immediate injuries, others have long-lasting implications that may not appear right away.

A legal team can investigate all aspects of a spinal cord injury. They can collaborate with medical experts to build a solid personal injury case and can also negotiate with insurance companies.

Therefore, they can help you recover fair compensation that encompasses the long-term costs of medical treatment, loss of earning capacity, and the pain and suffering you experienced because of your spinal cord injury. Moreover, if the case goes to trial, a lawyer can fight for your rights to fair compensation.

This is why hiring a lawyer is important if you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury. Unfortunately, many people aren’t keen on working with a personal injury lawyer because of the legal fees.

To address this issue, some personal injury law firms offer a contingency fee arrangement, so instead of paying them an hourly or flat fee out of pocket, lawyers will get paid only if they win your case. While contingency fees vary, the general range is from 10% to 50% of the settlement amount.

Speak to a Nova Scotia Diamond & Diamond Lawyer

A spinal cord injury can be devastating. Depending on the type of accident, injured victims may experience a loss of mobility or become permanently impaired.

These cases often require substantial financial resources to cover medical and economic expenses. During this difficult time, an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer in Nova Scotia can help you recover the compensation you deserve so that you can focus on your recovery.

Our team at Diamond & Diamond Nova Scotia can give you legal advice and guide you every step of the way. Obtain a free consultation now so that we can help you get the compensation you need so that you can move forward after a life-changing spinal cord injury.

FAQs on Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers in Nova Scotia

How much is the typical settlement for a spinal cord injury?

What’s the limitation period for initiating a spinal cord injury in Nova Scotia?

How can you find the most appropriate spinal cord injury lawyer?

Buying, Selling or Re-financing? Contact Our Team Today Chat Now

OR CALL NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

1-888-INFO-LAW

Get an Instant Quote

Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers in Nova Scotia