A spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating and life-altering events you can suffer. After an accident, you and your family face an uncertain future filled with physical, emotional, and financial challenges.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury because of someone else’s negligence, please know that you are not alone. At The Law Offices of Peter A. Jouras, Jr., our Overland Park spinal cord injury attorney understands the weight you are carrying. For over 25 years, we have been helping injured victims across the Kansas City metro secure the compensation they need to support their futures.
As a small law firm, you will be given one-on-one attention for your personal injury claim. You will work with our attorney, who genuinely cares about your injury and case. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
While we are located in Overland Park, Kansas, just north of I-435 and east of Metcalf Ave, we serve the entire Kansas City metropolitan area, including Kansas City, Missouri.
Contact us online today to schedule a free consultation or call us at (913) 677-1999.
Key Takeaways for Kansas and Missouri Spinal Cord Injury Claims
- Spine injury damages must account for long-term needs, such as surgeries, rehabilitation, mobility equipment, in-home care, and loss of earning capacity, so legal teams work with medical and economic experts to project lifetime costs.
- Common liable causes include vehicle crashes, falls, violence, sports injuries, and medical mistakes, each of which requires a different legal approach and proof of negligence.
- Strict filing deadlines apply: Kansas injury victims generally have 2 years to file, and Missouri victims typically have 5 years, making early legal involvement essential to preserve evidence and claims.
- Spine injury cases require proving how the trauma occurred, so attorneys gather medical records, imaging, expert opinions, and accident evidence to link the incident to the spinal damage.
- Lawyers handle negotiations with insurers, who often dispute the severity of spinal injuries or argue that symptoms are pre-existing.
How a Spine Injury Lawyer Can Help You
After a traumatic injury, facing a complex legal system can feel impossible. A dedicated spine injury lawyer acts as your advocate, handling every aspect of your claim so you can concentrate on your recovery. Here’s how we can help:
- Investigating Your Case: We will thoroughly investigate the accident, gathering crucial evidence like police reports, witness statements, and medical records to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts. We will handle all communications and negotiations with them, protecting you from lowball offers and ensuring your rights are upheld.
- Calculating Your Damages: We work with medical and financial experts to accurately calculate the full extent of your damages, including current and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the cost of long-term care.
- Providing Guidance and Support: We are here to answer your questions, explain your options in plain language, and offer the steady support you need throughout the legal process. Our mission is to lift the legal burden from your shoulders.
What Makes the Law Offices of Peter A. Jouras, Jr. Different?
Choosing the right legal team can be overwhelming. At our Overland Park spinal cord injury law firm, we are committed to providing you with the attention and expertise you need to move forward from this tragedy. Here’s what makes us different:
- Direct Attorney Contact: As a small law firm, we pride ourselves on offering one-on-one contact with your attorney. You won’t be passed off to a paralegal or case manager. Our attorney will personally handle your case and be available to you every step of the way.
- Over 25 Years of Experience: With more than two decades of experience dedicated to personal injury law, Peter A. Jouras, Jr. has the knowledge and skill to navigate even the most complex spinal cord injury cases.
- Serving Both Kansas and Missouri: Our firm is licensed to practice in both Kansas and Missouri, allowing us to serve clients across the greater Kansas City metropolitan area and beyond.
- No-Risk Representation: We offer free initial consultations to discuss your case and work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely no attorney’s fees unless we win a settlement or verdict for you.
Types of Spine, Neck, and Back Injuries
The spinal cord is a delicate bundle of nerves that runs from the base of the brain down the back. An injury to this can disrupt communication between the brain and the body, leading to a wide range of exhausting conditions.
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), there are approximately 17,810 new spinal cord injuries in the U.S. each year. These injuries can be “complete,” meaning a total loss of sensation and motor function below the injury level, or “incomplete,” where some function remains.
Common types of spine, neck, and back injuries include:
- Herniated or Bulging Discs: When the soft cushion between your vertebrae is damaged, it can press on spinal nerves, causing severe pain, numbness, or weakness.
- Pinched nerves (Cervical Radiculopathy): Neck nerve compression, often from a herniated disc, can cause pain, numbness, or tingling radiating to the arms.
- Vertebral Fractures: A fracture in one of the bones of the spine can damage the spinal cord itself.
- Whiplash: A common neck injury in car accidents that can cause chronic pain and stiffness.
- Paraplegia: Paralysis affecting the lower half of the body, including both legs.
- Dislocations: When two or more vertebrae are out of place, causing instability and possible nerve damage.
- Quadriplegia (or Tetraplegia): Paralysis affecting the body from the neck down, including both arms and legs.
If you need a dedicated neck and back injury attorney in the Kansas City, Kansas, and Missouri metro, we are here to help you understand your rights.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries often result from sudden, traumatic blows to the spine. The most common causes of these catastrophic injuries include:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: According to the Mayo Clinic, car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the U.S.
- Falls: Slips, trips, and falls are the primary cause of spinal cord injuries for individuals over the age of 65.
- Acts of Violence: Gunshot wounds, assaults, and other violent acts can cause severe trauma to the spinal cord.
- Sports and Recreation Injuries: High-impact sports like football or diving into shallow water can lead to devastating spine injuries.
- Medical Malpractice: Surgical errors or mistakes during medical procedures can sometimes result in damage to the spinal cord.
- Swimming Pools: Diving into shallow water is a common cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for about 10% of cases.
Contact us online today to schedule a free consultation or call us at (913) 677-1999.
What to Do After Suffering a Spine Injury
It can be difficult to know what to do after being in an accident. When you feel immense pain in your back and neck, you should:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you don’t feel pain right away, some serious injuries have delayed symptoms. Call 911 and get evaluated by a medical professional.
- Report the Incident: If possible and applicable, ensure a police report or an official incident report is filed.
- Document Everything: If you can, take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any property damage. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Do Not Speak to Insurance Adjusters: Avoid giving a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
- Contact a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer: An experienced lawyer can provide immediate guidance and start protecting your rights.
- Tell Your Employer (if applicable): If you were injured at work, such as falling off a ladder or tripping in a construction zone, you may have a workers’ compensation claim.
Compensation Available for Spine Injury Victims in Kansas and Missouri
The financial toll of a spinal cord injury can leave you feeling hopeless. That’s why our spine injury attorney in Overland Park and Kansas City fights to secure compensation that covers the full spectrum of your losses, including:
- Medical Expenses: This includes all past, current, and future medical costs, such as hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and in-home care.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Compensation for the income you have lost and will lose in the future due to your inability to work.
- Pain and Suffering: Damages for the physical pain and emotional distress you have endured.
- Loss of Quality of Life: Compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life, including the inability to participate in hobbies and daily activities.
- Home and Vehicle Modifications: Costs associated with making your living space and vehicle accessible, such as ramps and lifts.
In both Kansas and Missouri, you have a limited time to file a personal injury claim, known as the statute of limitations. For example, in Kansas, you generally have two years from the date of the injury under Kansas Statutes § 60-513, while in Missouri, it is typically five years under Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120. It is crucial to act quickly to preserve your right to compensation.
Kansas and Missouri Spinal Cord Injury FAQs
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Kansas and Missouri?
In Kansas, you generally have two years from the date of the injury under Kansas Statutes § 60-513, while in Missouri, it is typically five years under Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120. It is crucial to act quickly to preserve your right to compensation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?
At the Law Offices of Peter A. Jouras, Jr., we work on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs or hourly fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you, and it is not out-of-pocket. This arrangement allows you to access high-quality legal representation without any financial risk.
How Do I Know If I Have a Serious Spine Injury?
A serious spine injury is not always obvious. Symptoms can develop gradually and may include numbness, tingling, weakness, loss of sensation, difficulty breathing, or paralysis. Any trauma to your back or neck should be treated as a medical emergency. Only a qualified doctor can accurately diagnose the severity of a spinal cord injury.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with Our Overland Park Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
We know this is an incredibly difficult time, and you likely have many questions. You don’t have to face this journey alone. If you or a loved one is suffering from a spine injury because someone else caused an accident, our Overland Park spinal cord injury attorney is here to help.
Contact the Law Offices of Peter A. Jouras, Jr. today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story with compassion, answer your questions, and provide clear, honest advice on how to move forward.
We are located in Overland Park, Kansas, just north of I-435 and east of Metcalf Ave. We serve the entire Kansas City metropolitan area, including Kansas City, Missouri.
Contact us online today to schedule a free consultation or call us at (913) 677-1999.
For your free consultation, call (913) 677-1999
