Idaho Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

Racine Olson has been here in Pocatello, Idaho since the 1940s. We’ve handled cases with spinal cord injuries throughout that period of time and all over the state of Idaho from Coeur d’Alene, to Boise, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and all the cities and towns in between. We understand how spinal cord injuries can occur and how they can change your life. We know that before the accident you felt great. Afterwards, you likely experienced pain, numbness, tingling, and even paralysis. We want to help you.

A spinal cord injury is often thought of as anything that impinges on, injures, or reduces the ability of the spinal cord to perform as it normally would. Another way to think of these injuries is to consider that spinal cords are really just bundles of nerves. When these little bundles are pushed on or severed, the ramifications can be terrible. When the nerves are completely severed, paralysis occurs. People recognize these injuries starting with pain, numbness, or tingling in the back, arms, or legs. As stated previously, if the injury is severe, paralysis results.

In Idaho, the damages that a person can obtain are usually governed by the Idaho Jury Instructions. Idaho Jury Instruction 9.01 talks about the damages that are available to a person that suffers a personal injury. Reviewing the various parts of this instruction is informative. It provides that a jury determines the amount of money that will compensate the plaintiff, or injured party, for the injuries suffered. Non-economic factors that can be considered are the “nature of the injury” or how bad they are and how they affect the injured party. The jury is also instructed to consider mental pain and suffering both that has happened in the past and will be endured in the future. The jury also takes into account how the injury disfigures the injured person and/or impairs his or her ability to perform the activities that she used to enjoy. This means that there is the loss of an ability to participate in hobbies or other enjoyable pastimes.

In addition to the non-economic damages above, the jury is also instructed to award damages for medical care that has been incurred in the past and can be expected in the future to the injured person. These are established by having expert witnesses or treating physicians testify as to what procedures or therapies will be needed.

Finally, there is an award of lost income and/or loss of earning capacity. Lost income or lost wages are determined by computing how much money has been lost in the past or will be lost in the future. Loss of earning capacity refers to the loss of a person’s capacity to work in the same field that they once enjoyed before the accident. For instance, a person who once worked for the power company climbing telephone poles would likely not be able to do that job in the future if his or her spinal cord was injured severely enough to affect her ability to walk. This loss should be compensated and is through the use of expert witnesses such as a vocational rehabilitation expert.

How are spinal cord injuries caused? It would seem that almost anything can cause this sort of injury, from car accidents, to falls, to dangerous products. For example, in a simple rear end car accident, a person’s neck or head is often snapped back due to the force of the car striking the injured party’s vehicle. This can result in more than just simple whiplash. At times it can cause herniated or bulged disks along the spinal cord. This impinges on the spinal cord or nerve roots and can lead to pain, numbness or tingling. Regardless of the type of accident a person has suffered, the most important thing is to immediately be checked out by qualified health care providers.

As was suggested previously, Racine Olson is experienced with these claims. We know the types of experts that are needed from accident reconstruction experts to engineers, and from vocational rehabilitation experts to medical professionals. We know how to use their expertise to maximize an injured person’s recovery. In the end, we think that we’ll make a good team with you. We’ve been down this road before and seen what the end result can be. We would like to walk beside you on this journey. Let us help you solve the problem. Give us a call whether you live in Boise, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls, or any place in between. Problem Solved.