Inclusivity for SCI Survivors
Obtaining justice for our clients is what fuels the work that we do. Time and time again, clients have walked in and out of our firm with debilitating injuries. We have talked to them not only about the progress made so far in their case, but also about how their disabilities have affected their lives. And a lot of our clients with spinal cord injuries claim that it has negatively and severely impacted every facet of their lives.
For this reason, we continuously strive to be inclusive to all disabled folks in our firm. In fact, we actually talked about this with Eric L. Pines in Medium.
Accessibility and inclusivity affect the quality of life of SCI survivors for the better. Which is why it is extremely important for places of business to think about how they can accommodate people with disabilities.
Voices of disabled folks are often stifled and not at all taken seriously. Here at Omega Law Group, we want to amplify their voices the best we can. We are serious advocates of inclusivity and accessibility, having seen firsthand how it positively impacts the quality of life of our clients with SCI.
In this blog, we will discuss the role of personal injury firms like Omega Law Group in supporting clients with SCIs beyond just helping them obtain compensation. We will also be talking about their legal rights and protections.
1. How Great Personal Injury Law Firms Support SCI Survivors
If the personal injury law firm you’re looking at is anything like us (Omega Law Group), PI firms should have a network of medical providers that can aid in an SCI survivor’s treatment and recovery. Ideally, a PI firm should have an extensive network so that no matter where the client resides, they’ll have access to a chiropractor, therapist, or any medical provider within a considerable distance from them.
SCI survivors often have to deal with property damage issues as a result of an accident. Not to mention, their limited mobility may affect their driving abilities. A good personal injury law firm should provide transportation for SCI survivors if they are having troubles with getting to their treatment appointments (ie: therapy, physical therapy, regular check ups, chiropractor, etc.). Omega Law Group does this by providing SCI survivors with no access to transportation with free rideshare rides.
Overall, a great personal injury law firm does not see clients as a mere money making opportunity. Rather, they ensure that their clients get the holistic care that they need and deserve. For this reason, SCI survivors looking to get legal reparations should be careful in choosing a personal injury law firm. Make sure that the personal injury law firm you hired has a track record of success.
2. The Disability Rights Of SCI Survivors
It is easy to feel alienated and “less than” when you are burdened with a spinal cord injury, especially as people and institutions aren’t cognizant of making places more inclusive to disabled folks. That’s why it is important for SCI survivors to know their rights. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), disabled folks are protected by law from discrimination on the basis of “employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications.” The ADA website goes more in depth on this topic and breaks it down in simple terms, so be sure to check it out!
Burdened with the lack of governmental representation and advocates for disability rights, people with SCI unfortunately face day-to-day challenges from the lack of accessibility in public spaces. This may affect their overall wellbeing.
Accessibility for SCI Survivors
3. SCI Accessibility In Public Spaces
Places of businesses must heed ADA Title III. It stipulates that “businesses and nonprofit service providers that are public accommodations…must comply with basic nondiscrimination requirements that prohibit exclusion, segregation, and unequal treatment.” This means that disabled folks, including those with SCI must have reasonable access to the facilities and services offered by these establishments. For example, entryways to these places must be big enough for a wheelchair user to easily cruise through. Places not in compliance with ADA Title III may be reported to the Department of Justice, though it’s not uncommon for people to seek legal counsel from a private entity as well.
4. SCI Accessibility In Public Transportation
People with disabilities must be able to access public transportation with no issues. This means that bus and train drivers must accommodate the needs of SCI survivors when they’re in the vehicle. Ramps must be installed in the entrance of these vehicles so that wheelchair users can easily wheel in. This is true for all federally-subsidized public transportation. If a public transportation authority fails to provide these reasonable accommodations, people may seek legal reparations through a private lawyer or a report to the Department of Transportation.
But what about private entities?
5. Do uber drivers have to comply with ADA?
No. Per PBS News, a federal judge in the state of California has blocked a mandate requiring Uber drivers to comply with ADA requirements, which was met with a lot of disapproval from disability rights activists.
6. Access to Opportunities for SCI Survivors
Unfortunately, SCI survivors are all too often barred from certain employment opportunities. Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act should protect them from such discrimination. But it comes with certain limitations. For one, this federal protection only applies to an establishment with 15 or more employees. To a certain extent, it’s still possible for disabled folks to be discriminated against on the basis of their disability, especially if they’re looking to be employed by a small business.
Call Omega Law Group
Accessibility and inclusion are important in promoting the overall wellbeing of SCI survivors. But so is seeking legal reparations. Hiring a personal injury lawyer in your accident goes beyond just obtaining the big bucks. It also provides SCI survivors a sense of closure and justice from the accident that happened to them. If you resonate with this, you need to give yourself the best shot at winning and seek legal counsel from the best spinal cord injury experts in the field of law. Call Omega Law Group.
Omega Law Group attorneys are well-respected by their peers, earning accolades from industry-vetted organizations like SuperLawyers.com as well as features from prestigious publications like the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Business Journal. With more than millions of dollars accrued in compensation, the highly-skilled and empathetic attorneys of Omega are more than well-equipped to handle your spinal cord injury case.
Apart from their commitments to accessibility and inclusion, they also believe in providing quality yet equitable legal services to people from all walks of life. Which is why no matter your financial circumstances, Omega Law Group is more than willing to handle your case with no upfront fees. Schedule a free consultation with our elite personal injury attorneys to learn more!