Who We Are
Boohoff Law recovers millions of dollars every month for our clients. Our firm helps injured people. Our attorneys have successfully resolved numerous cases. It is our goal to secure fair financial compensation for our clients.
Why Hire Us?
Our firm has represented injured clients in Tampa Bay for years. We have helped thousands of clients. We are ranked among the top 10 in client satisfaction by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. It is our pleasure to assist you. As one of Tampa’s top-rated law firms, we approach every case with a results-driven mindset. Spinal injuries can be life-threatening, so you deserve a lawyer who fights skillfully for you. The attorneys at our firm are ready and willing to fight for your rights in court.
Tampa Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers at Boohoff Law Can Help
Sensory information travels between the body and the brain via the spinal cord. When the spinal cord suffers an injury, it can be very hard for victims to carry out everyday activities.
Slip and fall accidents can cause spinal cord damage, but auto accidents are Tampa’s leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Permanent and devastating injuries, such as displaced vertebrae and blood clots, can result from these accidents. In extreme cases, this trauma can cause a partial or complete severance of the spinal cord.
A spinal injury is extremely costly and a serious injury – financially, physically, and emotionally – since the spine is extremely delicate. Understanding your options after a spinal cord injury is crucial.
Whatever caused your spinal cord injury, you can take legal action and seek compensation from the person or company that failed to meet its safety obligations.
An injury to the spinal cord can cause excruciating pain, hamper your ability to work, and fundamentally alter your body. Money won’t ensure you’ll fully recover from your injury, but it will make life much easier. You’ll need an experienced Tampa personal injury attorney on your side to get the full compensation you deserve.
The attorneys at Boohoff Law have been fighting for spinal cord injury victims in Tampa for years. We have won millions of dollars on behalf of our clients (and counting). We’re here to help you take action and get the financial justice you deserve.
Our law firm will:
- Provide you with the support and guidance you need as you make critical decisions about your case during this difficult time.
- Invest in experts who can investigate, build, and value your spinal cord injury case
- Negotiate with other parties and their insurance providers
- If necessary, present your case to a jury.
For a free case evaluation, contact our firm today. Our first consultation is free, and we do not charge you for our services unless we win. Asking for our help is completely risk-free, so contact us today.
What Are My Options for Getting Compensation for Spinal Injuries?
The following types of damages might be available:
- Healthcare-related and caregiver expenses
- Pain and suffering
- The cost of prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Devices such as wheelchairs
- Modifications to your home, which may include ramps or shower guards
Spinal Cord Injuries: What You Need to Know
The spinal cord extends from the base of the skull to the tailbone. The brain sends signals from the spinal cord to the rest of your body. Vertebrae surround the nerves.
The symptoms of spinal cord injuries often appear in other parts of the body. Spinal cord damage can affect bodily function at or below the injury site.
The spinal cord consists of four regions: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine.
In more detail, the four segments are as follows:
- The cervical spine consists of vertebrae C1 to C7 and is in the neck
- You can find the thoracic spine in the upper part of the back (T1-T12).
- L1-L5 make up the lumbar spine or lower back
- At the base of the spine is the sacral spine (S1-S5), which forms a triangular shape
There is a strong correlation between the severity of spinal cord injuries and the vertebrae that suffered an injury.
How Different Are Spinal Cord Injuries?
It is possible for the vertebrae and nerves in the spinal cord to sustain complete or incomplete damage. The victim loses their ability to move below the injury if it is complete.
Many spinal cord accident victims may suffer injuries beyond the initial classification, including:
- Paralysis from the neck down (quadriplegia)
- Paraplegia (paralysis from the waist up)
- Triplegia (paralysis of three limbs)
- Paralysis on one side of the body ( known as hemiplegia)
- Monoplegia (paralysis of one limb)
- Damage to the nerves
- Bulging and herniated discs
- Compression fractures
Even victims of incomplete spinal cord injuries may continue to experience problems below the point of injury.
Spinal Cord Injuries: What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
Symptoms of spinal cord damage hinge on the area of the spine injured. The type of symptoms that indicate you’ve suffered an injury will also depend on the severity of the damage.
A spinal cord injury may cause the following signs and symptoms:
- Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation
- Motor function problems
- Uncontrollable spasms
- Breathing problems
- Headache, neck pain, or back pain
- Constipation or urinary incontinence
If you noticed any or all of these symptoms after an accident, seek medical attention immediately, then call our office to see if you can seek reimbursement.
Here Are Some Examples of Spinal Cord Injuries:
- Complete: Does permanent damage to the spinal cord. These injuries include paraplegia and tetraplegia.
- Incomplete: Damages the spinal cord partially. Rehabilitation may be possible.
- Cervical: These spinal injuries most often affect the head and neck and occasionally result in quadriplegia.
- Lumbar: Injuries to the L1-L5 vertebra (low back) result in leg and hip dysfunction.
The chest and abdomen can be affected by trauma to the thoracic spine, as well as the back.
The sacral region suffers less damage than those mentioned above, but hips, legs, and pelvic organs can sometimes be affected, which causes loss of function.
Can Spinal Cord Injuries Have Long-Term Consequences?
In the United States, 294,000 people live with spinal cord injuries. About 17,810 spinal cord injuries occur each year. Each of them has long-term consequences.
Spinal cord injuries have different long-term consequences depending on where in the spine they occur.
Damage to the Cervical Spinal Cord
The most severe spinal cord injuries tend to occur in the cervical region. Among the injuries suffered are quadriplegia and tetraplegia (complete paralysis from the neck down).
Injuries of this type can also cause:
- Problems with the respiratory system
- Speaking difficulties
- Bowel and bladder problems
- Sexual dysfunction
The victim may still maintain some control over their shoulders and biceps if the lower areas of the cervical spine are damaged. C-7 injuries may even allow people to straighten their arms, but their hands and fingers may be difficult to use.
Severe cervical spinal cord injury victims can require lifetime care. A severely injured victim may need a ventilator to breathe or a wheelchair to remain independent.
Injury to the Thoracic Spine
A severe injury to the thoracic spinal cord can cause paralysis of the legs and torso. Besides losing bladder and bowel control, paraplegia can also affect sexual function.
Damage to the Spinal Cord in the Lumbar Region
Vertebrae located in the lumbar spine tend to be stronger. However, victims often suffer nerve damage to their legs and hips. They may also have trouble controlling their bladders and bowels.
Damage to the Sacral Spinal Cord
A sacral spinal cord injury is much rarer than other types. Victims can, however, have problems with sexual function, as well as bladder and bowel control.
No matter how severe the injury is, spinal cord injuries are challenging. We will be more than happy to visit you at home, at work, or in the hospital if you cannot come to us.
What Are the Most Typical Causes of Spinal Cord Injury?
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center keeps track of the most common spinal cord injury causes.
The most typical causes of spinal cord injuries are:
Spinal cord injuries are usually considered personal injuries, which entitle the victim to compensation.
Injured parties may receive compensation after:
Consult an injury lawyer if you were seriously injured. There may be significant compensation available to you.
How Much Money Is My Spinal Cord Injury Case Worth?
It depends on the situation. Generally, the more severe your spine injury, the more your case will be worth.
In the valuation process, you must prove:
- The extent of your spinal injury
- Your spinal cord injury type
- How your injury has affected or will affect your ability to work
- In what ways your injury has affected or will affect your ability to function and perform day-to-day tasks
- How your spine injury has affected you emotionally
Our Tampa spine injury lawyers approach every case from a comprehensive perspective. This includes consulting with spine injury specialists and medical professionals. Our clients can benefit from their experience and insight that helps us maximize their financial recoveries.
