A spinal cord injury can change life in an instant. One moment you’re commuting on I-15, driving home from work, or enjoying a weekend outdoors, and the next, you’re facing a medical emergency that could affect the rest of your life.
For Utah families, these injuries don’t just bring overwhelming medical challenges. They also raise serious financial questions: How will we pay for care? Who’s responsible for the costs? What happens if I can’t return to work?
At Steele Adams Hosman, we’ve helped individuals and families across Utah navigate these challenges. This blog will explain the legal and financial steps to consider after a spinal cord injury, and why acting quickly can make all the difference.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries interrupt the brain’s ability to communicate with the body. The severity depends on where the damage occurs:
- Cervical (neck) injuries often cause quadriplegia, affecting both arms and legs, and may require ventilator support.
- Thoracic or lumbar injuries typically cause paraplegia, impacting movement and sensation in the lower body.
- Complete vs. incomplete injuries determine whether any function remains below the injury site.
Beyond the medical reality, these injuries carry staggering financial costs: lifetime expenses can exceed $4.7 million for high-level complete injuries. That doesn’t include lost income or the cost of full-time care.
Suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence? Let Steele Adams Hosman fight for the compensation you deserve.
First Legal Steps After an Injury
While medical treatment is always the top priority, legal action should follow quickly to protect your rights. Some immediate steps include:
- Documenting the accident: photos of the scene, witness contact info, and any official reports.
- Avoiding recorded statements to insurance companies before consulting a lawyer.
- Preserving evidence such as defective equipment, vehicle records, or surveillance footage.
These details often make or break a spinal cord injury case. An experienced attorney ensures nothing critical is lost in the early days.
Insurance and Coverage Options
Multiple types of insurance may come into play:
- Health insurance for initial medical care, though policies rarely cover long-term needs.
- Auto insurance (PIP or MedPay) if the injury came from a vehicle accident.
- Workers’ compensation for job-related injuries, offering medical care and wage replacement.
- Disability insurance or SSDI for those unable to return to work.
Families often find that even with these coverages, long-term costs far exceed what’s provided. That’s where legal claims against negligent parties become crucial.
We’ve helped hundreds of Utah families through spinal cord injury cases. Let’s talk about how we can help you.
Calculating the True Cost of a Spinal Cord Injury
The financial toll goes far beyond hospital bills. Proper recovery planning should account for:
- Medical equipment and technology: wheelchairs, lifts, vehicle modifications, and home accessibility changes.
- Attendant care: professional caregivers or the unpaid labor of family members.
- Vocational rehabilitation: retraining for new employment if returning to your old career isn’t possible.
- Lost earning capacity: the income you would have made over a lifetime.
When added up, these damages can represent millions of dollars — making strong legal representation essential to ensure nothing is left out.
Legal Theories in Spinal Cord Injury Cases
Depending on the circumstances, different legal approaches may apply:
- Negligence claims against reckless drivers, unsafe property owners, or careless employers.
- Product liability claims if a defective car part, medical device, or piece of equipment caused the injury.
- Workers’ compensation claims for on-the-job injuries, with possible third-party lawsuits if another company was involved.
Each path requires a tailored strategy, backed by medical experts, life-care planners, and economists who can project lifetime needs.
Don’t let insurance companies minimize your future needs. Contact Steele Adams Hosman now.
Government Benefits and Long-Term Planning
For many families, recovery also involves tapping into government and community resources:
- Social Security Disability (SSDI/SSI) for income replacement.
- Medicare/Medicaid for healthcare coverage, especially long-term care.
- Utah vocational rehabilitation services to assist with job retraining and education.
- VA benefits for veterans injured during military service.
In addition, special needs trusts and estate planning tools can help preserve eligibility for benefits while still covering essential expenses.
Why Local Experience Matters
Spinal cord injury cases are among the most complex personal injury claims. They require deep knowledge of Utah courts, local medical providers, and the unique challenges of our communities, from Salt Lake City hospitals to rehabilitation facilities across the Wasatch Front.
At Steele Adams Hosman, we build comprehensive cases by working with respected medical specialists, economists, and life-care planners. Our job is to ensure your compensation covers not just today’s needs, but tomorrow’s as well.
Taking the Next Step
A spinal cord injury is overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. With the right legal guidance, you can hold negligent parties accountable and secure the resources you need for long-term recovery and independence.
Call Steele Adams Hosman today for a free consultation, and take the first step toward rebuilding your future with strength and security.
