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Last Modified on Jan 06, 2026
Suffering a spinal cord injury affects every aspect of your life and the lives of your loved ones. Your physical and emotional health suffers, you lose your independence, and your financial security is threatened. You may wonder, “What factors affect the value of a spinal cord injury claim in North Carolina?”
Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
When adjusting to your new normal after a spinal cord injury, you should hire a spinal cord injury lawyer to fight for your right to maximum compensation for your injury. At Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, we have extensive experience representing victims of catastrophic injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries in the United States
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center has collected data on spinal cord injuries in the U.S. since 1970. As of 2021, there were an estimated 18,000 new spinal cord injury cases each year. An estimated 299,000 people in the U.S. live with a spinal cord injury.
People with a spinal cord injury have a lower-than-average life expectancy, with the leading causes of death being pneumonia and septicemia. Some leading risk factors for suffering a spinal cord injury include:
- Driving or riding in a car without using a seatbelt or without airbags
- Operating heavy machinery without appropriate safety equipment
- Using a ladder in an unsafe manner
- High-risk activities while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Having a bone or joint disorder
Spinal cord injuries often result in high-value settlements when filed in civil court with an experienced North Carolina spinal cord injury attorney. These types of cases are heard in the superior court in the county where you reside or where the accident occurred.
Determining Liability for a Spinal Cord Injury
When you have suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident, you likely have numerous doctor appointments and other priorities, which can make it difficult to negotiate a settlement or file a claim. However, you are limited in how long you can wait.
North Carolina has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but the longer you wait, the more difficult it can be to find evidence and present your case. A delay can make it more difficult for you to prove you do not share liability for the accident.
There are four factors that you have to prove before liability can be determined following an accident. An experienced spinal cord injury attorney can help you show:
- The other party owed you a legal duty of care.
- That duty of care was broken.
- Breaking the duty of care resulted in your injuries.
- Your injuries caused you direct damages.
Some of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries that could result in a personal injury claim are vehicle accidents, falls, acts of violence, and sporting activities.
Types of Compensation in Spinal Cord Injury Cases
Several economic and non-economic damages can be recovered after a spinal cord injury. Types of compensation include:
- Medical costs. Spinal cord injuries often require extensive care immediately after an accident and long-term, ongoing care based on the severity of the injury. Future medical needs should be taken into consideration when discussing compensation.
- Lost wages. You should be compensated for the time you have to spend away from work while recovering from the accident.
- Diminished earning capacity. If the spinal cord injury leaves you unable to perform your current job, you should be compensated for your loss of livelihood.
- Physical discomfort and suffering. Spinal cord injuries can leave you paralyzed or otherwise unable to enjoy life in the same way you did prior to the accident.
- Mental anguish. It can be emotionally and mentally devastating when your life suddenly changes, or when you lose independence, causing mental distress.
- Loss of consortium or camaraderie. Following a spinal cord injury, you may not be able to have the same type of relationship you once did with your spouse, family, or friends.
FAQs
How Much Is a Spinal Cord Injury Claim Worth?
The worth of a spinal cord injury claim is directly related to the severity of the injury. Mild spinal cord injuries that don’t require long-term care do not receive as high a settlement as more serious spinal cord injuries.
If your spinal cord injury results in permanent paralysis, requires extensive surgery, or necessitates long-term medical care, your settlement amount should reflect the need for continuous medical care and the seriousness of the injury.
Is a Spinal Cord Injury Hard to Prove?
Spinal cord injuries can be difficult to prove for a few reasons. If the symptoms are not immediately evident, it can be difficult to prove that the accident directly caused the injury. Insurance companies are quick to blame preexisting conditions for the injuries.
If the spinal cord injury does not have easily visible symptoms or is difficult to show on scans or tests, it can be more challenging to prove the injury occurred and is related to the accident.
What Evidence Is Needed for Compensatory Damages?
Compensatory damages cover economic losses directly related to the accident you suffered, but you have to provide proof of the value of the damages. You need evidence of the amount of time you have been out of work and proof of your income.
For expenses, medical bills, and statements from your doctor are important. Estimates of the future costs of your injuries are also needed. If you have to repair or replace property, keep receipts or invoices.
What Shouldn’t I Say to a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Spinal Cord Injury?
After a spinal cord injury, you shouldn’t say anything to your lawyer that could be taken as an admission of fault for the accident. Under strict contributory negligence laws, if you are liable in any way for the accident, you can be barred from seeking damages for your injury.
Provide the facts of the accident without minimizing or exaggerating any details. If you are unsure of anything, don’t speculate.
Contact Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury as a result of someone else’s actions, you could be entitled to compensation for the damages you have suffered. Contact Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, today to schedule your initial consultation. Our team can help you better understand what factors affect the value of a spinal cord injury claim in North Carolina.
