Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

SCIs can occur as a result of various accidents and traumatic events. Some common causes of spinal cord injuries include:

Automobile Accidents: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and collisions involving other motor vehicles are leading causes of spinal cord injuries. The impact of a crash can cause compression, contusion, or fracture of the vertebrae, resulting in damage to the spinal cord.

Falls: Falls from heights, such as slipping and falling on a wet floor, falling down stairs, or falling from ladders or scaffolding, can lead to spinal cord injuries. Falls are particularly common among older adults and can result in fractures or dislocations of the spine.

Sports Injuries: Participation in high-impact or contact sports, such as football, rugby, hockey, or gymnastics, can increase the risk of spinal cord injuries. Athletes may experience traumatic impacts, falls, or collisions that cause damage to the spinal cord.

Acts of Violence: Violence, including gunshot wounds, stabbings, or physical assaults, can cause severe spinal cord injuries. Penetrating trauma or blunt force trauma to the spine can lead to partial or complete paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the injury.

Recreational Activities: Recreational activities such as diving into shallow water, skiing, snowboarding, or participating in extreme sports can result in spinal cord injuries if precautions are not taken. Impact with hard surfaces or collisions with objects can cause spinal cord damage.

Medical Procedures: In some cases, spinal cord injuries can occur as a result of medical malpractice or surgical errors during procedures involving the spine or surrounding structures. Complications such as nerve damage, infection, or improper positioning during surgery can lead to spinal cord damage.

Workplace Accidents: Certain occupations, such as construction, manufacturing, or agriculture, pose an increased risk of spinal cord injuries due to the potential for falls, machinery accidents, or being struck by falling objects. Workplace accidents involving heavy equipment or machinery can cause serious spinal cord damage.

Recreational Vehicle Accidents: Accidents involving recreational vehicles such as ATVs, dirt bikes, or snowmobiles can result in spinal cord injuries due to the high speeds and lack of protective measures. Collisions with other vehicles, rollovers, or ejections from the vehicle can cause traumatic spinal cord injuries.

If you or someone you know has already experienced a spinal cord injury due to negligence or wrongful actions, contact Morgan & Morgan to learn more about your legal options.

SCIs can vary widely in severity, and the symptoms experienced depend on factors such as the location and extent of the injury. Common symptoms of a spinal cord injury may include:

Loss of Sensation: Spinal cord injuries can cause a loss of sensation or altered sensation below the level of the injury. This may include numbness, tingling, or a "pins and needles" sensation in the arms, legs, or trunk.

Loss of Motor Function: Damage to the spinal cord can impair motor function, leading to weakness, paralysis, or difficulty moving the arms, legs, or other parts of the body. The extent of paralysis depends on the severity and location of the injury.

Changes in Reflexes: Spinal cord injuries can affect reflexes below the level of the injury. Reflexes may become exaggerated (hyperreflexia) or diminished (hyporeflexia) compared to normal.

Loss of Bowel or Bladder Control: Spinal cord injuries can disrupt the communication between the brain and the nerves that control bowel and bladder function. This may result in urinary or fecal incontinence, difficulty emptying the bladder or bowels, or loss of sensation of the need to urinate or defecate.

Difficulty Breathing or Coughing: Injuries to the spinal cord in the cervical (neck) region can affect the muscles involved in breathing and coughing. This can lead to respiratory difficulties, shortness of breath, or difficulty clearing the lungs.

Chronic Pain: Spinal cord injuries can cause chronic pain, including neuropathic pain (nerve pain), musculoskeletal pain, or pain related to spasms or muscle stiffness. Pain may be localized to the site of the injury or radiate to other areas of the body.

Muscle Spasms or Spasticity: Spinal cord injuries can lead to increased muscle tone or spasticity, causing involuntary muscle contractions, stiffness, or rigidity. Spasticity can interfere with movement and coordination and may contribute to pain and discomfort.

Sexual Dysfunction: Spinal cord injuries can affect sexual function and fertility. Men may experience erectile dysfunction, difficulty ejaculating, or loss of sensation in the genital area. Women may experience changes in sexual arousal, lubrication, or orgasm.

Cardiovascular Problems: Spinal cord injuries can disrupt the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions such as heart rate and blood pressure. This can lead to orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure upon standing), abnormal heart rhythms, or cardiovascular complications.

Psychological Effects: Spinal cord injuries can have profound psychological effects, including depression, anxiety, grief, anger, or adjustment disorders. Coping with the physical limitations and emotional challenges of a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming for both the individual and their loved ones.

Spinal cord injuries are typically diagnosed through physical exams, imaging tests (such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans), and neurological assessments. Treatment may include surgery, medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and assistive devices to manage symptoms and improve function.

Victims of spinal cord injuries may be entitled to various types of compensation for the damages they have suffered. The specific types of compensation available depend on factors such as the severity of the injury, the impact on the victim's life, and the circumstances of the accident. Common types of compensation that may be recovered for a spinal cord injury include:

Medical Expenses: Victims can seek compensation for all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to the treatment of their spinal cord injury. This may include hospital bills, doctor's visits, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, assistive devices, and ongoing medical care.

Lost Wages: Spinal cord injuries can result in temporary or permanent disability, preventing victims from working and earning income. Compensation may be awarded for lost wages and benefits, including past and future earnings, vocational training, and loss of earning capacity.

Pain and Suffering: Victims of spinal cord injuries often experience physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish as a result of their condition. Compensation may be available for pain and suffering, including physical discomfort, psychological effects, and diminished quality of life caused by the injury.

Permanent Disability or Impairment: Spinal cord injuries can lead to permanent disabilities or impairments that affect the victim's ability to perform daily activities, work, or enjoy life as they did before the injury. Compensation may be awarded for the long-term consequences of the injury, including ongoing medical care, assistive devices, home modifications, and adaptive equipment.

Loss of Consortium: Spinal cord injuries can impact the victim's relationships with their spouse or family members, leading to a loss of companionship, support, or intimacy. Compensation may be available for the loss of consortium suffered by the victim's loved ones.

Punitive Damages: In cases involving egregious conduct or intentional wrongdoing, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter similar misconduct in the future. Punitive damages are intended to hold defendants accountable for their actions and prevent harm to others.

Legal Fees and Costs: Victims who prevail in a spinal cord injury lawsuit may be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable attorney's fees and litigation costs incurred in pursuing their claim. This includes expenses such as court filing fees, expert witness fees, and other out-of-pocket costs associated with the legal process.

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including spinal cord injury claims, varies by state. Morgan & Morgan’s legal team can assist you with everything you need to know to file on time and to fight for your full and fair compensation.

What’s important is that you get justice and get the means necessary to move forward with your life. You can increase those chances by working with a skilled attorney at Morgan & Morgan. Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and there are no upfront costs. That’s right—the Fee Is Free™, and you only pay if we win your case. 

Morgan & Morgan has recovered over $20 billion in compensation for our clients, and we continue to fight tirelessly for every case so our clients get what they need and deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to get started.