The Law Offices of Tony Zirkle
Indianapolis, Crown Point, South Bend, Valparaiso, Indiana, divorce, personal injury, automobile accident lawyers, DUI, wrongful death attorneys.

7580 East 109th Street
Crown Point, IN 46307
(219) 308-1673
702 W. Coliseum Blvd. Suite 2A
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
(260) 804-4928
Pyramid #2, Suite 2042
3500 DePauw Blvd
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 658-0107
110 North Main Street
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 386-7960
Damages in SCI Cases
It goes without saying that the nature of spinal cord injury is such that the amount of damages that may be recovered against a party responsible for causing such injury is substantial. The average out-of-pocket cost of coping with a spinal cord injury in the first year can be as high as $741,000 for the most severe injuries. For each year after that, the average cost is approximately $132,000. The figures below do not include any indirect damages such as lost in wages, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish, which averaged $60,000 in 2006. All of these damages continue throughout the life of a victim.
| Average Yearly Expenses (in 2006 dollars) | |||
| Severity of Injury | First Year | Each Subsequent Year | |
| High Tetraplegia (C1-C4) | $741,425 | $132,807 | |
| Low Tetraplegia (C5-C8) | $478,782 | $54,400 | |
| Paraplegia | $270,913 | $27,568 | |
| Incomplete Motor Function at any Level | $218,504 | $15,313 | |
| Estimated lifetime costs by Age at Injury (discounted at 2%) | |||
| Severity of Injury | 25 years old | 50 years old | |
| High Tetraplegia (C1-C4) | $2,924,513 | $1,721,677 | |
| Low Tetraplegia (C5-C8) | $1,653,607 | $1,047,189 | |
| Paraplegia | $977,142 | $666,473 | |
| Incomplete Motor Function at any Level | $651,827 | $472,392 | |
In spinal cord injury cases it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, review the medical procedures in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate the accident record and injuries. If you or a loved one is a victim of spinal cord injury, call Law Offices of Tony Zirkle now at (219) 308-1673 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.
The above is not legal advice. That can only come from a qualified attorney who is familiar with all the facts and circumstances of a particular, specific case and the relevant law.Visiting this website does not create an attorney - client relationship. See Terms of Use.