Back or Spinal Cord Injury in Jacksonville
If someone’s negligence, recklessness or maliciousness caused you a back injury, a lawyer with the right skills and experience can likely get you compensation for all the damages resulting from your back pain and injury. Back injuries can impact your lifestyle and earning capacity for years and possibly for the rest of your life.
In Florida, an attorney can help you pursue financial compensation to ensure you get proper medical care and treatment and don’t have financial worries while you’re trying to heal.
If the back injury also causes spinal cord injury, it can lead to traumatic changes in your life and relationships. If you think your back pain and injury may involve damage to the spinal cord, please read this article as well: Information on spinal cord injury from back injury lawyer Brett Hastings.
Healing from Back Injury: a Lawyer’s Role in Getting Well
Back pain and injury are notoriously difficult to heal from because it involves your spine, which is the support center for the rest of your body. You can’t really do anything without involving your spine to some degree. So even if the pain goes away, it’s probably going to come back again unless you get proper care, rest and treatment. Unfortunately, most people, when they first experience back pain, pop some pain killers and return to business as usual. Many months or years later, when the pain is still coming back from time to time or has gotten worse, they realize something is seriously wrong.
By that time, it may be too late to file a lawsuit or prove that your pain and injury is related to a specific accident or event. That’s why it’s important to get proper medical care right away and follow up as soon as possible with a Florida attorney focusing on personal injury tort, like Brett Hastings.
In Florida, an attorney can help your healing process in a couple of ways. First, your attorney can make sure you’re getting the best care possible. Some insurance companies try to persuade patients to use certain doctors or medical facilities because they’re cheaper and keep the company’s cost to a minimum. Although it is illegal to require this in Florida, insurance representatives can be very insistent. Your back injury lawyer can put an end to this frustration and ensure the insurance company pays for proper medical care from the doctors you need to get it from. Insurance companies also like to play games with denying certain kinds of care in order to keep their costs down, and your lawyer can help you make the case for the care you need so the insurance company will pay up.
The other way your back injury lawyer can help the healing process is to help you get compensated for your costs, suffering, and loss of income and quality of life that results from your injury. When you’re in pain and can’t do the things you used to do, you don’t want to also worry about how bills are going to be paid or how you’re going to buy groceries. Damages won in a personal injury lawsuit can alleviate those stressors so you can focus on healing and getting your life back.
For Work-Related Back Injury, a Lawyer Can Ensure You Get Proper Worker’s Compensation Benefits
The Bureau of Labor Statistics and OSHA report that more than a million workers suffer from back injuries on the job each year. These are usually the result of work conditions that are dangerous to the back or wear away at the muscles and ligaments until a problem occurs. They can also be caused by inappropriate work assignments, such as requiring a worker to lift more than he is able to, or a worker’s lack of training, like failing to show the worker how to lift properly.
In these circumstances, the employer is usually liable for the injuries and the care and treatment needed. The employer can also be liable for income compensation and compensation for suffering. These should be paid for by the employer’s Worker’s Compensation insurance company. However, as noted above, insurance companies aren’t always willing to ante up for the right care and treatment and will often try to settle out of court for much less than the full extent of damages your injury is likely to cause. Having a back injury lawyer on your side can help alleviate some of these frustrations and make sure you get the benefits you’re entitled to.
Free: Discuss Your Case with a Highly Experienced Back Injury Lawyer
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a spinal cord or back injury claim in Florida?
In most Florida injury cases, you have two years from the date of injury to file a negligence lawsuit. This deadline was shortened from four years to two years by a 2023 change in the law. Wrongful death claims also carry a two-year deadline. Because evidence fades and deadlines are strict, it is wise to speak with an attorney early. Missing the deadline can permanently bar your claim, no matter how serious the injury.
What are the lifetime costs of a spinal cord injury, and can I recover them?
A spinal cord injury can require a lifetime of medical care, including surgery, rehabilitation, home modifications, assistive equipment, and personal attendant care. Florida law allows you to seek compensation not only for past expenses but for future medical costs and lost earning capacity. Proving these damages often requires medical and economic experts. Hastings Injury Law works to document the full long-term impact so your future needs are accounted for, not just today’s bills.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Possibly. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. If you are 50% or less at fault, you may still recover, but your compensation is reduced by your share of fault. For example, being found 20% at fault would reduce an award by 20%. Every outcome depends on the specific facts, so an early case review matters.
Does paralysis from a car accident change how my claim works in Florida?
Yes. Florida is a no-fault state, so your own PIP coverage (at least $10,000) pays first, regardless of who caused the crash. To pursue the at-fault driver for pain, suffering, and full damages, your injury must meet Florida’s serious-injury threshold. Paraplegia, quadriplegia, and significant permanent injury generally satisfy that threshold, opening the door to a broader claim. We help establish the severity and pursue compensation beyond PIP limits.
What types of back and spinal injuries does Hastings Injury Law handle?
We handle the full range of back and spinal cord injuries, from herniated and bulging discs to fractures, nerve damage, incomplete injuries, and complete injuries causing paraplegia or quadriplegia. These injuries can stem from car and truck crashes, falls, workplace accidents, and more. Each carries different medical and financial consequences, and our approach is tailored to the specific injury and how it affects your life, work, and independence.
How much does it cost to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer?
Nothing upfront. Hastings Injury Law handles spinal cord and back injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is free and confidential. This lets you understand your rights and options with no financial risk. You focus on recovery while we handle the legal work, and our fee comes only from a successful result.
Why does trial experience matter in a spinal cord injury case?
Serious spinal injuries often involve large potential damages, which means insurers may fight hard to limit what they pay. Attorney Brett Hastings brings more than 25 years of trial experience and is a member of The Florida Bar. While many cases resolve through settlement, being prepared to take a case to trial can strengthen your position. Results always depend on the specific facts, but thorough preparation protects your interests.