After you’ve had a car or any type of motor vehicle accident in which you’ve suffered any kind of spinal injury, it is a good idea to consult a lawyer who can advise you of your rights in the Halifax legal system. Spinal injuries can be some of the most difficult and painful injuries to recover from. Here’s some information about what you can expect after a car accident from a lawyer looking out for your interests in the court system in Nova Scotia.
What is a spinal injury and why is it serious?
Your spine is responsible for communication between your body and your brain. The bundle of nerves at the centre of your spine is protected by a series of bones. Taken together, the nerves, bones, and other connective tissue are your spinal cord.
Because most of the nerves in your body responsible for communication go through your spinal cord, any damage to any part of it can be potentially disastrous and there can be a wide variety of severe symptoms that result from an injury.
What kinds of damages can my lawyer pursue?
Since spinal injuries are potentially so grave, determining what damages you’re entitled to can be complicated. Two of the most important categories of damages you can claim if you’ve been in an accident are pecuniary and non-pecuniary losses.
- Pecuniary losses are those losses that can be calculated monetarily. For instance, if you’ve been injured and can’t work, the salary you have lost can be put in pecuniary terms: the money you would have made if it weren’t for the accident.
- Non-pecuniary losses are damages that aren’t directly calculable in terms of money. “Pain and suffering,” for instance, is a term that describes a loss that can’t be put in financial terms. This is taken into consideration by the court under specific guidelines.
The most common cause of spinal injury is car accidents. A few years ago, Nova Scotia’s government put a cap, or upper limit, on the amount that you can pursue for “pain and suffering” related to minor injuries after a car accident. This cap, however, does not apply to all injuries. Depending on the severity of your case and the circumstances of the accident, special rules may apply that make your situation more complex.
If you’ve been involved in a highway accident or incurred a spinal injury, contact Wagners—A Serious Injury Law Firm today. We can provide you with a lawyer who can represent you to the Halifax courts, and other courts in Nova Scotia and the Atlantic provinces. Contact us today to find out more about how we can advocate for your interests so you can focus on returning to your life.