If you suffered serious injuries, you may be interested in seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages and much more. People often focus on the immediate costs that they have in the wake of that injury. They’re very conscious of the wages they’ve lost or the medical expenses they’ve incurred, all due to someone else’s negligence.
It is good to document these costs, keep records and seek the compensation that you need. But looking only at the short-term costs may not go far enough. You also need to consider the long-term ramifications.
Severe spinal cord injuries
For instance, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation examines the projected costs of serious spinal cord injuries, which could lead to a disability. One example of this is high tetraplegia, which is a spinal cord injury that happens between the C1 and the C4 vertebrae.
In the first year, the costs are projected to exceed $1 million. So you can certainly see the importance of seeking compensation to cover the cost of surgery, medical care, hospital stays, lost wages and much more.
However, if you accepted a settlement that only covered that $1 million and then settled your case, you may find yourself facing serious financial needs in the very near future. The foundation also estimates that there will be subsequent yearly costs of $184,891. If you suffered a high tetraplegia at a relatively young age, this could translate into millions of dollars in lifetime costs for long-term medical needs and lost earnings.
As such, it’s very important to look into all of your legal options and ensure that you seek full compensation for your injuries.
