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How Much Could a Workplace Spinal Cord Injury Cost You?
Written & Edited By: Cecily Johnson, Legal Assistant & Public Relations Assistant Manager
Maybe you fell from a significant elevation. Perhaps you were struck by a piece of machinery or got into a car crash while on the clock. Workplace spinal cord injuries can happen in many different ways — and they can have varying levels of medical consequences. Such injuries often require hospitalization, surgery and rehabilitative care. You will also likely need an extended leave of absence. Which means you need disability pay until you can return to work. Before you try to negotiate a settlement for your injury, you need to think about what it will cost.
Costs Will Decline 1 Year Post-Injury, But Will Remain For Life
Spinal cord injuries will require medical care for the rest of your life. They also are likely to have a permanent impact on your earning potential. The higher the injury on your spine, the more it will cost you over your lifetime.
- Cervical spine injuries that cause tetraplegia will cost more than $750,000 for the first year and more than $100,000 each year after that (www.christopherreeve.org).
- Lower spinal cord injuries that cause paraplegia will cost more than $500,000 in the first year and over $68,000 each year after that (www.christopherreeve.org).
- Incomplete spinal cord injuries that impact motor function but do not cause full paralysis will cost almost $350,000 in the first year and over $42,000 on average every year afterward for the rest of your life (www.christopherreeve.org).
Estimating the expenses you will incur and the income you will lose because of a spinal cord injury will make it easier for you to negotiate compensation after a serious workplace injury.
Have You or a Loved One Suffered From a Work-Related Spinal Cord Injury?
You will likely qualify for workers’ compensation benefits after a spinal cord injury on the job. Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate your complex serious workplace injury case.
Click here to set up a FREE consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.
References:
Costs of living with Spinal Cord Injury. Reeve Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2021, from http://www.christopherreeve.org/living-with-paralysis/costs-and-insurance/costs-of-living-with-spinal-cord-injury.