Average Settlement for a Spinal Cord Injury in Colorado

What is the Average Spinal Injury Compensation Payout in Colorado?

Key Takeaway: Determining the average settlement for a spinal cord injury in Colorado can be challenging due to the unique circumstances of each case. Factors influencing settlement amounts include the severity of the injury, medical expenses, lost income, and insurance liability limits. So, let’s say that the median spine injury settlement in Colorado is $100,000, you cannot compare your case to that since the facts of each case will vary widely.

A spinal cord injury may occur in any number of ways,  but car accidents are the most common cause of severe spinal cord injuries. Almost 18,000 people in the United States suffer traumatic spinal cord injuries each year—many with permanent consequences. The seriousness of a spinal cord injury cannot be understated. These injuries do not just affect back movement and flexibility but also control over one’s entire body. 

A personal injury attorney, such as those at Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. can assist those suffering from these injuries to recover spinal cord compensation payouts that help you get life back on track. Contact us today.

What Factors Affect an Average Settlement for a Spinal Cord Injury in Colorado?

Various factors affect spinal injury compensation awards and settlements, including the severity of the injuries, the amount of medical expenses, lost income, and the need for future care. 

Severity of Injury

The only way to get an idea of your estimated spinal cord injury settlement is with a detailed case evaluation. However, the severity of your injury will give you a better idea.

For example, a soft neck tissue injury will most likely not payout as much as a neck disc injury. Spinal compression fractures, herniated discs, and bulging discs can have a wide range of potential payouts.

Injuries to the spinal cord, typically have the highest settlement due to their severity of injuries and problems it can lead to. A spinal cord injury may result in catastrophic long-term consequences including paraplegia or quadriplegia.

Paraplegia describes injuries that cause below-the-waist paralysis, whereas the upper extremities retain complete function. 

Quadriplegia is a spinal injury that includes much more extensive paralysis. Those suffering from quadriplegia lose the ability to move or feel from the neck down. Most quadriplegics require assisted care for all activities for every day of their life. Health issues include difficulty breathing independently and assistance with bowel and bladder function. 

Spinal cord injuries that completely block the brain’s ability to communicate with the rest of the body result in larger settlement awards than spinal cord injuries that heal.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
Nikki Nicholaou was incredibly helpful and responsive. I felt very comfortable with my case in her hands, which was a great decision because she won me a settlement before we had to go to court
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Veronica Blake 
 
2023-04-13
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
Highly recommended.
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Andy B 
 
2022-11-21
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
One day in June, 2019, our world was turned upside down.  My husband was nearly killed by a motorist while riding his bicycle.  He was lucky to come away from the accident with “only” a neck broken in 5 places, facing surgery and a long two-year recovery period.
His extreme pain, our anger, and the total shock of the event overwhelmed us.  We decided to focus all our energy on his healing.  Dealing with the insurance company was more than we could handle.
So, a little investigation brought us to Sloat & Nicholson.  During the first phone conversation, Randy Nicholson explained that we could not only file a claim against the driver’s insurance, but also against our Underinsured Motorist insurance.  Randy also explained that it was likely that he would have to fight Mike’s health insurance which would certainly ask to be totally reimbursed for their expenses.
We’d learned that it was a bigger issue than we’d expected, but we knew we had found someone who could help us, and that has a great relief.
After that first call, and in the subsequent months of meeting with Randy and his team, we knew we’d made the best possible decision.
Randy got the full claim against the driver’s insurance.  He convinced our health insurance that they had no standing in filing a claim against us.  We didn’t have to pay them anything.  And he negotiated with our Underinsured Motorist insurance and got the full claim against them as well.
It was not easy, and Randy worked hard.  He completely relieved us of a ton of stress. He kept us informed each step of the way.  Every time we worked with him and his team, we became more and more convinced that we’d made the right decision.  We were so glad we found Sloat and Nicholson.
After the accident, we felt like the world was against us.  The court system totally dropped the ball, and we constantly had to fight back our anger at the driver and the judge.
But we had Randy Nicholson and his team on our side, and we are forever grateful to all of them.
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 midge castillo 
 
2021-06-13
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
I was in a car accident and needed legal advice. Robert Hoover was both professional and informative! He was so helpful, and I would recommend him to anyone. I also appreciated his Christian perspective!
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 colleen G. 
 
2021-03-29
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
I was a case form many years ago Gerald handled everything completely professionally there is not one thing I would do differently
My case was complicated but the end result was  everything that I was entitled to! If your case is in his practice area I highly recommend a phone call consultation or visit to his office. You won't be disappointed his years of experience knowledge and fair treatment of his clients would not be more apparent!
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Adam Townson 
 
2021-01-27
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
Jerry Sloat and his staff treated our family with great respect and helped us to receive compensation for the injuries, pain and suffering we incurred during a car accident. We owe him so much and are truly grateful that we stopped trying to deal with the insurance company and allowed Jerry and his wonderful team of professional to take care of everything for us.
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Leonard Romano 
 
2019-05-23
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
Gerry Sloat was amazing, after my car wreck I was at a loss on what was going on. I didn't know the process or what to even expect. I turned to him because he was the only one willing to take the time and speak with me to answer all my questions. My insurance company wouldn't even call me back to answer my question of what was happening. Gerry took quite a bit of time explaining the different aspects of the insurance and the other driver and the county issues that I didn't even know where separate, he really set my mind at ease with my mind running with all of the "what ifs" I now know where I stand and what to expect going further and can now make informed decisions on what I need to be prepared for what lies ahead! Thank you again Mr Sloat!
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 landa raddon 
 
2016-12-03
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
Gerry Sloat was a very skilled and helpful attorney when I needed one to negotiate a settlement for many, many medical bills resulting from a head on collision. What impressed me most was his fair handedness in dealing with us, but also with dealing with the other parties involved. Further, since the accident a half dozen years ago, he has been more than helpful in answering questions about all matters of the law, and seems to genuinely enjoy hearing from me when I call. A stellar human and an outstandingly thorough attorney.
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Bonnie Carol 
 
2016-12-02
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
Ever since I started working with with Robert Hoover it's been more like working with family he's taking the time to get to know me and my family on a personal level the office staff know by name and they are the best
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Jason Swartz 
 
2016-04-21
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
 
 

Lost Wages

A spinal cord injury almost always requires a substantial period of recovery. During this time, you may not have been able to work. A spinal cord injury may also result in an inability to work the same job you had before the accident. In some situations, spinal cord injury victims may be unable to work again. Your attorney considers these factors when determining a just settlement for your situation. 

Cost of your Medical Expenses

Spinal cord injuries are some of the most expensive types of injuries requiring intensive medical and rehabilitative care. Insurance companies may try to offer a settlement that fails to take into account the lifelong expenses associated with your injury. Prior to accepting a spinal cord injury settlement, it’s always best to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. While the short-term promise of financial compensation may be hard to resist, it’s important to wait to determine the true cost of your injuries.

Strength of Your Evidence

A claim to recover spinal injury compensation payouts requires proving that the driver causing your injury was negligent. A negligence claim in the state of Colorado requires proof of four elements, including:

• The duty owed by the defendant to the plaintiff;
• A breach of that duty; 
• That the breach of duty caused the injury to the plaintiff; and
• The injury resulted in damages to the plaintiff. 

You need strong evidence of all these elements to maximize your injury settlement or win a lawsuit in court.

Whether You Contributed to Your Injury

Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence law. This means that in personal injury cases, an injured party’s damages may be reduced by their percentage of fault for causing the accident. If the plaintiff’s fault is 50% or greater, the plaintiff gets nothing.

The insurance company will try to reduce the amount of your settlement by claiming that you contributed to your accident. An attorney can help you counter these arguments and fight for maximum compensation.

Insurance Liability Limits

As a practical matter, the amount of your spinal injury settlement may be limited by the at-fault party’s insurance limits. If the insurance limits are greater than the damages you suffered, it’s likely you will be able to recover compensation for your injuries either through settlement or by filing a lawsuit.

If the person who caused your injuries does not have enough insurance or doesn’t have any significant assets, it will be difficult to collect full compensation for your injuries and damages. An experienced attorney can help you identify all at-fault parties and potential sources of recovery, which may include the assets of the at-fault party and your own uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. 

How to Calculate a Settlement for a Spinal Cord Injury

After a car accident, you may be curious about what the average settlement for a spinal cord injury might be.  Ultimately it’s a combination of the facts of the accident, your injuries, your economic losses, and your non-economic losses.

Settlement values can vary widely depending on the specific circumstances of your case. The best way to determine what your case is worth is to get a case evaluation from an experienced spinal cord injury attorney.

In Colorado, spinal injury compensation payouts include two types of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Facts of the Accident and Liability:

The facts of the accident are important.  A high-speed motor vehicle crash with no fault on your part will likely result in a higher value settlement, as would a clear liability ski accident or premises liability occurrence.

Your Injuries:

Severe and catastrophic injuries require maximum compensation and typically result in recovery of maximum value.  Significant spinal cord injuries almost always involve intensive medical and rehabilitative care along with significant periods of lost work and potential loss of the ability to work – the economic damages portion of a claim, as well as pain, suffering, disability and disfigurement, the non-economic portion of a claim.    

Economic Damages

Economic damages provide compensation for all tangible financial losses suffered due to a car accident. These include the following:

• Past and future medical expenses,
• Past and future loss of income,
• Rehabilitation expenses, 
• Diminished earning capacity, and
• Other out-of-pocket expenses.

To prove economic damages, retain all receipts and records of payments related to your injury. Past pay stubs and income tax returns support a claim for loss of income and diminished earning capacity based on your injuries.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate a victim for damages and losses suffered due to their accident, including the following:

• Pain and suffering, 
• Emotional stress, 
• Mental anguish,
• Loss of enjoyment of life, 
• Impairment of everyday lifestyle.

Non-economic damages also include the emotional trauma caused by physical impairment or disfigurement. Those suffering from spinal cord injuries generally experience these specific types of non-economic damages due to the severity and nature of the injury. 

Exemplary Damages

Colorado may also award punitive or  “exemplary” damages if a jury finds that an at-fault party’s actions were fraudulent, malicious, or willful and wanton conduct. Punitive damages are not intended to compensate the victim but rather to punish the at-fault party for their actions, and a court must approve a request to seek punitive damages..  

What Types of Accidents Cause Spinal Cord Injuries?

Many types of accidents can result in spinal cord injuries, including:

• Car accidents,
• Truck accidents,
• Bicycle accidents,
• Pedestrian accidents,
• Drunk driving accidents,
• Slip and fall accidents, and
• Skiing accidents.

If you suffered an injury in any one of these accidents or any other type of accident, we can help.

Get the Most Out of Your Spinal Injury Payout and Contact Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C.

A spinal cord injury can change your life forever. If you need answers regarding a spinal cord injury settlement, contact Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. with all of your questions. With over 100 years of combined legal experience dealing in personal injury cases, our team understands the hardship you face with a spinal cord injury. We carefully evaluate the factors involved in your accident to obtain full and fair compensation for your injuries.

You deserve a compassionate but aggressive legal team to represent your interests in such a difficult time. Our firm has received the highest rating for our ability and ethics from the nation’s leading attorney rating service. In over 30 years in practice, we have worked diligently to obtain more than one hundred million dollars in verdicts or settlements for our clients. Let us get to work for you to concentrate on recovering from your injuries.