The moment everything changed replays endlessly in your mind. In an instant, a car accident robbed you of sensation and movement below your shoulders. As you lie in a hospital bed contemplating an uncertain future in the face of catastrophic injury, countless worries race through your thoughts. How will you navigate daily life with paralysis? What adaptations will you need to regain independence? How will you afford the staggering costs of ongoing care?
At Pete Olson Injury Law, we understand the avalanche of challenges that spinal cord injury survivors face. For nearly three decades, our Clarksville personal injury attorneys have helped catastrophically injured Tennesseans piece their lives back together and secure the financial resources needed for long-term stability. Let's explore what you can expect in the weeks, months, and years following a paralyzing injury.
Inpatient Rehabilitation: Maximizing Recovery
After a debilitating spinal cord injury, early intervention through intensive inpatient rehabilitation is critical. During this phase, you'll work with a multidisciplinary team that may include:
- Physiatrists who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Physical therapists to help maintain strength and flexibility
- Occupational therapists who teach adaptive techniques for daily living tasks
- Speech-language pathologists to address any communication or swallowing difficulties
- Rehabilitation nurses experienced in preventing complications like pressure sores
- Neuropsychologists to provide emotional support and coping strategies
This comprehensive approach aims to help you regain as much function as possible and develop essential skills for thriving with your altered abilities. You'll learn new ways to perform personal care tasks, move around your home, and communicate your needs effectively.
Home Modifications for Accessibility
Before discharge from inpatient rehab, your occupational therapist will likely visit your home to assess what modifications are necessary for safety and accessibility. Depending on the extent of your paralysis, these may include:
- Wheelchair ramps and lifts for entering and exiting your home
- Widened doorways to accommodate a wheelchair or mobility device
- Lowered countertops and cabinets for easier access from a seated position
- Roll-in showers with handheld sprayers and grab bars
- Stair lifts or home elevators to access multiple floors
- Smart home technology for hands-free control of lights, thermostats, and appliances
These modifications can be costly, often totaling tens of thousands of dollars. If your spinal cord injury resulted from someone else's negligence, our dedicated legal team will fight tenaciously, arguing that your settlement or verdict should include ample funds for making your home fully accessible.
Addressing Ongoing Medical and Rehabilitation Needs
Spinal cord injuries often necessitate a lifetime of specialized medical care. You may require:
- Regular follow-up visits with rehabilitation medicine specialists
- Ongoing physical therapy to maintain range of motion and prevent contractures
- Occupational therapy for problem-solving strategies as your needs evolve
- Frequent replacements of expensive mobility equipment like power wheelchairs
- Costly medications to manage complications like spasticity or chronic pain
- Surgical interventions for issues like pressure sores or orthopedic deformities
At Pete Olson Injury Law, we partner with medical experts and life care planners to project these staggering long-term costs. By meticulously documenting your anticipated future needs, we help you seek sufficient funds in your settlement to cover medical expenses for decades to come.
Adaptive Technology for Increased Independence
Rapid advances in adaptive technologies have dramatically expanded opportunities for spinal cord injury survivors. Depending on your individual needs and goals, helpful technologies may include:
- Voice-activated software for hands-free computer access
- Sip-and-puff systems for controlling wheelchairs or other devices
- Eye gaze tracking for communication and environmental controls
- Functional electrical stimulation for restoring some voluntary movements
- Brain-computer interfaces for mental control of external devices
- Exoskeletons and robotic aids for standing and walking
While some of these technologies may be covered by insurance, others can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket. Our skilled catastrophic injury attorneys will collaborate with assistive technology experts to ensure adequate funding for the cutting-edge tools that can maximize your independence and quality of life.
Managing the Financial Impact of Paralysis
The lifetime costs of living with paralysis can easily soar into the millions of dollars. In addition to expected expenses like medical care and adaptive equipment, a spinal cord injury can also lead to:
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Inability to perform household services like childcare or property maintenance
- Need for hired personal care attendants
- Mental health counseling to cope with post-injury emotional challenges
- Diminished quality and enjoyment of life
At Pete Olson Injury Law, our mission is to help spinal cord injury survivors seek the financial foundation needed to weather these far-reaching impacts. We'll leave no stone unturned in our quest to maximize your compensation through negotiations or at trial. By meticulously calculating both your tangible economic losses and intangible damages, we'll fight for every penny you deserve to rebuild your life with security and dignity.
Finding Hope and Forging Ahead
While no amount of money can ever reverse the profound losses inflicted by paralysis, the resources recovered through your personal injury claim can open doors to newfound hope, stability, and resilience in the face of adversity. As your steadfast legal advocates, the team at Pete Olson Injury Law is here to provide the guidance, support, and tireless representation you need to write the next chapter of your story with confidence.