Lifetime Costs of a Spinal Cord Injury and Your Right to Compensation in Tennessee

A spinal cord injury, also known as SCI, has the potential to completely disrupt your life. These injuries often lead to long-term or even permanent disability, ongoing pain, and major emotional and financial stress. SCIs can happen in car crashes, serious falls, violent attacks, or even from medical mistakes. If you are dealing with a spinal cord injury, you may need a lot of medical care, therapy, and special equipment, sometimes for the rest of your life. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, our Nashville spinal cord injury lawyers understand how tough this can be. We are here to stand by your side and fight for the money you need to pay medical bills, make up for lost wages, and plan for future care.

Understanding spinal cord injuries

The spinal cord is an important part of your central nervous system. It transmits messages between your brain and the rest of the body. Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete loss of motor function and sensation.

SCIs are typically classified into two types: paraplegia (which is paralysis affecting the lower half of the body) or tetraplegia/quadriplegia (which is paralysis affecting all four limbs and the torso). The severity and location of the injury determine the extent of disability and the associated care requirements.

What is the financial impact of spinal cord injuries?

The costs of an SCI can be extensive and depend on the severity of your injury and your age. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation reports the following costs.

• High tetraplegia (C1-C4): First-year costs can run up to $1,064,716, with subsequent annual costs around $185,000.
• Low tetraplegia (C5-C8): First-year costs are around $769,351, with annual costs near $113,000.
• Paraplegia: First-year costs are about $518,904, with annual costs around $69,000.
• Incomplete motor function: First-year costs may be around $347,000, with annual costs running about $42,000.

Over a lifetime, these expenses can accumulate:

• High tetraplegia: Approximately $4.7 million for a 25-year-old.
• Low tetraplegia: Around $3.5 million.
• Paraplegia: Approximately $2.3 million.
• Incomplete motor function: About $1.6 million.

Per the Foundation, “These estimates do not include any indirect costs such as losses in wages, fringe benefits, and productivity.”

Steps to take following a spinal cord injury

If you or someone you love suffers a spinal cord injury, it is important to take the right steps early on to protect both your health and your legal rights. Here is what you should do:

• Get medical help right away. Call 911 or go to the emergency room. Spinal cord injuries can get worse if not treated properly, so fast medical attention is critical.
• Follow your doctor’s advice. Stick to your treatment plan, go to follow-up appointments, and do physical therapy if it is recommended. Your recovery depends on it—and so does any future injury claim.
• Do not speak to insurance adjusters without a lawyer. Insurance companies may try to get you to settle quickly. Do not sign anything or give a statement until you have talked to a lawyer.
• Document everything. Keep records of your medical visits, prescriptions, out-of-pocket expenses, lost work time, and how your injury affects your daily life. This can help build your case later.
• Call our Nashville personal injury An experienced attorney can investigate your accident, determine who is at fault, and fight for the compensation you need for medical costs, lost income, and long-term care.
• Lean on your support system. Spinal cord injuries can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. Do not hesitate to ask for help from family, friends, or support groups.

How do I build a strong spinal cord injury case?

To maximize your compensation, keep the following in mind:

• Keep detailed records of medical treatments, expenses, and any correspondence related to the injury.
• The testimony of medical experts can validate the extent of your injuries and the necessary treatments.
• Financial experts can project future costs, ensuring your compensation covers long-term needs.

An attorney familiar with SCI cases can navigate the complexities of the legal system, advocate on your behalf, and negotiate with insurance companies. Talk to the Nashville spinal cord injury lawyers at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm today.

How can Rocky McElhaney Law Firm help with my spinal cord injury case?

Our spinal cord injury attorneys understand the profound impact a spinal cord injury can have on your life. Our experienced attorneys can:

• Gather evidence to establish liability and the extent of your injuries.
• Make sure all current and future expenses are accounted for in your claim.
• Negotiate with insurance companies and advocate on your behalf to secure fair compensation.
• Take your case to court if a fair settlement cannot be reached.

Our goal is to alleviate the financial burden of an SCI and help you focus on recovery and rebuilding your life.

What kind of compensation am I entitled to after a Nashville spinal cord injury?

You have the right to seek compensation if your or your loved one’s spinal cord injury resulted from someone else’s negligence. This can include things like a car accident, workplace incident, or medical malpractice. It is important to remember that Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule, which allows you to recover financial damages if you are less than 50% at fault for the accident.

You may be entitled to the following types of compensation:

• Economic damages refer to your tangible losses, which include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and reduced future earning capacity.
• Non-economic damages, which address those intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

As of July 1, 2025, Tennessee law caps non-economic damages at $1,500,000. However, for catastrophic injuries like paraplegia or quadriplegia, this cap increases to $2 million. If the injury resulted from intentional harm or criminal activity, there might be no cap at all.

The lifetime costs associated with spinal cord injuries are substantial. To manage these financial challenges, it is important to understand your rights and the compensation available to you. Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve to secure your future. Put our lawyers on your side today. Call Rocky McElhaney Law Firm or complete our contact form to schedule your free consultation. With offices in Nashville, Hendersonville, Clarksville, and Murfreesboro you do not have to go far to protect your rights.