If you suffer a spinal cord injury, it could lead to a long-term or permanent disability. It is true that some spinal cord injuries will heal to various degrees, depending on the unique factors of that injury. However, there are many cases in which healing just isn’t possible, and the focus is instead on rehabilitation and learning to live with new physical limitations.
If you learn that you’re going to have a long-term or permanent injury, you may find yourself wondering what it’s going to cost you. The truth is that it often depends on the type of injury.
The first-year costs
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation has estimated the first-year costs of common spinal cord injuries. They are as follows:
- High tetraplegia: Over $1 million
- Low tetraplegia: $769,000
- Paraplegia: $518,000
- Incomplete motor function: $347,000
When considering seeking financial compensation – if you were injured in a car accident, for example, and the other driver was responsible – these first-year medical bills will probably be the focus of your case. You need to get compensation – not just for those medical bills, but also for lost wages, changes to your earning potential and things of this nature.
Long-term costs
You also need to consider the long-term costs of a spinal cord injury. For instance, with a high tetraplegia, the estimated yearly costs are over $184,000. If you were 25 years old when you suffered this injury, then, the total cost could be close to $5 million.
This situation can be very complex. However, you need to know what steps to take as you seek proper compensation. Having experienced legal guidance is crucial.