Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer – Ottawa
McNally Gervan LLP is a leading law firm in Ottawa, specializing in handling serious injury claims resulting from accidents. Our experienced personal injury lawyers understand the complexities of spinal cord injuries and are dedicated to helping victims and their families seek justice and fair compensation.
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About Spinal Cord Injuries
Suffering a serious spinal cord injury can be a life-altering experience, affecting not only the injured individual but also their loved ones. These injuries are often caused by accidents, and the consequences can be severe and long-lasting.
At McNally Gervan LLP, our experienced personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping spinal cord injury victims and their families navigate the complex legal system.
Legal Rights and Seeking Compensation
If you or a loved one has suffered spinal cord damage due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions, it’s crucial to understand your legal rights. McNally Gervan LLP can provide you with the guidance and support you need during this challenging time.
Legal Expertise: With a deep understanding of personal injury cases, our spinal cord injury lawyers will gather evidence, consult medical experts, and build a strong legal strategy to maximize your chances of a successful outcome.
Compensation for Damages: Our experienced personal injury lawyers will fight tirelessly to help you obtain compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Insurance Claims: We will handle all interactions and negotiations with your insurance company on your behalf, ensuring that your rights are protected and you receive a fair settlement.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur due to various accidents and traumatic events. The most common causes include:
Motor Vehicle Accidents: Motor vehicle accidents, whether involving cars, motorcycles, or trucks, can have devastating effects on the spinal cord due to the sheer impact of the collision. The force and sudden jolts involved in these accidents can result in severe damage and traumatic spinal cord injuries.
Falls: Slip-and-fall accidents, workplace mishaps, or falls from heights pose a significant risk of spinal cord injuries. Poorly maintained premises, and hazardous conditions increase the likelihood of such accidents. Even a single misstep or a momentary loss of balance can lead to life-altering spinal cord injuries.
Acts of Violence: Spinal cord injuries can occur as a result of both intentional acts, such as assaults or physical altercations, where deliberate force is directed towards the spine, as well as accidental incidents. Whether caused intentionally or unintentionally, impact and trauma inflicted on the spinal cord can lead to severe damage, resulting in life-altering consequences for those affected.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
When it comes to spinal cord injuries, there are two primary classifications: complete and incomplete. Understanding the differences between these two types is crucial in assessing the severity and potential outcomes of such injuries.
Complete Spinal Cord Injuries
A complete spinal cord injury occurs when there is a total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the injury. Essentially, this means that the affected individual has no voluntary movement or sensation below the injury site. These catastrophic injuries are typically associated with a complete loss of motor function, including paralysis, as well as a loss of sensation and reflexes. These injuries often result in significant physical limitations and require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
An incomplete spinal cord injury refers to cases where there is still some degree of sensory or motor function below the level of the injury. In other words, individuals with these serious injuries retain some level of sensation and voluntary movement. The extent of function and sensation can vary greatly depending on the specific location and severity of the injury. Incomplete injuries may lead to varying degrees of paralysis or impairment, but there is potential for some recovery and improvement over time with proper medical intervention and rehabilitation.
Consequences of Spinal Cord Injuries
Most spinal cord injuries can have profound physical, emotional, and financial impacts on individuals and their families. The consequences may include:
Paralysis: Depending on the level and severity of the injury, spinal injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis. Paraplegia affects the lower half of the body, while quadriplegia affects the arms and legs.
Loss of Sensation: Spinal cord injuries can lead to a loss of sensation, making it difficult to sense touch, temperature, or pain in affected areas.
Chronic Pain: Many individuals with spinal cord injuries experience chronic pain, which can significantly impact their daily lives and overall well-being.
Emotional Distress: Coping with the physical limitations and lifestyle changes that accompany spinal cord injuries can cause emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.
Rehabilitation and Medical Costs: Spinal cord injury rehabilitation requires extensive medical treatments, surgeries, physical therapy, and assistive devices. These expenses can be overwhelming without proper compensation.
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Resources for Ottawa Spinal Cord Injuries
At McNally Gervan, our personal injury lawyers in Ottawa have helped hundreds of seriously injured accident victims and their families manage the complex legal, insurance and rehabilitation landscapes to help them and their families get the support they need and the compensation they deserve. Below are a few of the resources that may assist families of people suffering from spinal cord injuries (no entity included in this directory has paid to be listed.)
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Anne Johnston Health Station |
The Anne Johnston Health Station (AJHS) is a not-for-profit community health centre providing a wide range of programs and services that promote the health and well-being of youth, seniors and people with physical disabilities. |
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Canadian Disability Participation Project
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The CDPP is an alliance of university, public, private and government sector partners working together to enhance community participation among Canadians with physical disabilities. |
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CareCure Community |
SCI Care – The art and science of managing therapies, routines, medication, supplies, equipment and everything else needed to maintain the spinal injured person in top health. |
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Designable Environments |
A unique organization of consultants who assist our clients in the creation of accessible environments through the practical application of universal design principles. |
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Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario |
The Disabled Sailing Association of Ontario (DSAO) is dedicated to providing people living with a disability the opportunity to learn about and enjoy sailing. |
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Essentially You |
At Essentially You, social work theories and principles are the foundations for their approach when supporting individuals and families. They provide person centred care whereby respecting and valuing the needs, wishes and voice of clients. |
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Community Solutions |
Community Solutions specializes in assisting individuals with Acquired Brain Injury to re-establish their lives in their own homes and communities. |
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NeuroConnect |
NeuroConnect provides information, resources, and support to people living with acquired brain injury and their families as well as brings awareness of brain injury to the public. |
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Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation |
Neurotrauma research and innovation in action: changing lives, changing attitudes and changing our public systems in making a stronger Ontario for all our citizens. |
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Recreational Respite |
To maximize the quality of life for any individual and their families, who are coping with a cognitive (memory or acquired) impairment, physical challenge or developmental disability and provide inclusive and successful environments. |
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SCI Action Canada
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SCI Action Canada will develop and mobilize strategies to inform, teach and enable people living with SCI to initiate and maintain a physically active lifestyle. |
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Spinal Cord Injury Ontario |
SCI Ontario’s vision is to champion excellence in service, advocacy and quality of life for people living with spinal cord injuries. |
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ThinkFirst Canada |
ThinkFirst is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of brain and spinal cord injuries. |
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Contact McNally Gervan for a Free Consultation
During the consultation, our team will review the details of your case, answer your questions, and provide honest and compassionate advice about your legal options. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges you may be facing, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
At McNally Gervan LLP, our Ottawa injury lawyers will tirelessly advocate for your rights, fighting for fair and just compensation to cover your medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, ongoing care, lost income, and other damages.
Spinal Cord Injury Articles
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Get Legal Guidance From a Spinal Cord Injuries Lawyer
If you have a question or need assistance in connection with a serious neck or spinal injury, our team of personal injury lawyers is here to help. We know every personal injury case is unique and we work hard to ensure that our clients are fairly compensated. We know it’s personal.