Spinal cord injury is one of the most common injuries during a car crash, a fall or a workplace incident. A severe spinal cord injury can cause chronic pain as well as permanent disability. The average compensation for spinal cord injury in California varies depending on the specifics of your personal injury and the resulting damages. 

Here are three factors that can determine the outcome of your spinal cord injury claim:

The severity of your spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injuries can range in their severity depending on where the injury is located and whether the injury was “complete” or “partial.” If an injury totally severs the spinal cord, the victim is left immobile from the point of the injury downward. A partial injury to the spinal cord can also be serious, but the victim may have some feeling or movement below the point of injury.

The cost of treatment, medical expenses, and future care

Spinal cord injury is one of the most expensive injuries you can ever suffer. It can cost up to $1 million to treat in the first year alone. Subsequent years can cost upwards of $100,000 per annum in rehabilitation and additional treatment. This cost can go further up if the victim loses function from the neck down. 

Loss of earning potential

Another important consideration when determining the compensation for spinal cord injury is whether the victim lost their income potential as a result of the injury. If the injury leaves you paralyzed, and with loss of function, you may permanently lose your earning potential. In this case, the court will review your income prior to the accident when determining the amount you should be compensated for your injury. 

As already mentioned, a spinal cord injury can be devastating. An experienced advocate can review your case, provide legal counsel and work in your best interest to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.