Las Vegas Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

A spinal cord injury is one of the most catastrophic injuries that could potentially result in a permanent disability or medical condition. According to a facts and figure report conducted by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), about 18,000 spinal cord cases occur every year and the associated costs in order to sustain a healthy life for those with a spinal cord injury average around $88,000 annually.

Suffering a spinal cord injury can not only permanently alter a person’s mobility, balance, and internal functions, but their overall life expectancy is drastically shortened due to the complications that can affect their breathing, cardiovascular health, and other vital systems.

If you or a loved one have suffered from a spinal cord injury due to a traumatic accident then you may be entitled to proper financial compensation. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we have experience handling spinal cord injury cases and our dedicated team of lawyers have a proven track record of delivering satisfying results for our clients.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation to our deserving clients and our team of spinal cord injury attorneys are available 24/7 to assist you throughout the entire legal process. With years of experience handling catastrophic and traumatic spinal cord injuries, we are confident that we will get you the compensation that you deserve for your losses.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE initial consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) defines a spinal cord injury (SCI) as damage to the bundle of nerves and nerve fibers that sends and receives signals from the brain. An SCI can be caused by a direct injury to the spinal cord itself or from damage to the tissue and bones (vertebrae) that surround the spinal cord.

The severity and scale of an SCI will vary depending on the type of damage and accident a person has been involved in, but the chances of receiving temporary or permanent damages in the process is significantly high. As an SCI can affect the feeling, strength, and functionality of the human body, all SCIs can be classified into one of two categories: Complete and Incomplete.

Complete Spinal Cord Injury

A complete injury is when an accident has completely severed the nerve connections from the spine to the brain and, as a result, there is no muscle control, feeling, and function. This classification is the worst kind of spinal cord injury victims can face, because the chances of recovering from a complete spinal cord injury is extremely rare and costly.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

An incomplete spinal cord injury is when the spinal cord is still able to send partial messages and commands from the brain to the rest of the body. Depending on the nature of the injury and the accident, spine injury victims with an incomplete injury would still have some feeling, function, and muscle control, and they have a chance at full recovery. 

Spinal Cord Injury: Signs and Symptoms

Spinal cord injuries can expose people to a wide variety of symptoms that affect us physically and sensationally. That is why if you have been involved in an accident and possibly suffered spinal cord injuries, it is highly recommended to seek immediate medical attention if you have experienced any of the following symptoms:

• Numbness, tingling, or a loss of sensation in your hands and feet
• Paralysis
• Pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back
• Weakness in any part of the body
• Unnatural positions of the spine or head
• Loss of bowel control
• Problems with walking
• Difficulty breathing
• Changes in sexual function
• Changes in bladder control

In addition to these symptoms, a spine injury can take a significant toll on a person’s mental health. In a spinal cord injury and mental health report conducted by the National Institute of Health, 48.5% of the population with a spinal cord injury has suffered mental health problems. Within that percentage about approximately 37% has suffered from depression, 30% from anxiety, 25% from clinical-level stress, and 8% from post-traumatic stress disorder.

With these results, it is clear that suffering complete or incomplete spinal cord injuries can not only have a physical impact, but also a mental one as well. It is important to be aware of one’s mental health wellbeing, because it can be just as impactful as any physical injury.

Types of Spinal Cord Injury In Las Vegas

While most spine injuries can be classified as either complete or incomplete, they are further categorized based on which section of the spine is injured. Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral are the four different sections of the spine that could possibly become injured in an accident and they each serve a different function of the body.

Cervical

The cervical section of the spine is located at the top and comprises seven vertebrae (C-1 to C-7) in the neck. Due to its close proximity to the brain, a cervical spinal cord injury can be fatal, however, it can also potentially result in a tetraplegia (or more commonly known as quadriplegia), which is one of the most severe injuries a person could experience.

Thoracic

The thoracic section is located in the upper and middle part of the spine and it consists of twelve vertebrae (T-1 to T-12). The upper half of the thoracic mainly affects the muscles and organs in your upper chest and mid-back, while the lower half is responsible for the abdominal and back portion. Any injury to the thoracic section can affect the motor functions of your hands, arms, chest, and any organs within the chest. In some severe cases, it can also lead to paraplegia due to the loss of nerve fibers in the lower half of the thoracic section.

Lumbar

The lumbar spine consists of the lower portion of the spine, consisting of five vertebrae (L1-L5). This section of the spine control signals to the lower parts of the abdomen, back, buttocks, some parts of the external genital organs, and parts of the leg. Therefore, any injury to this section of the spine can result in a loss of function in the hips and legs and can affect your control of your bowels and bladder.

Sacral

The sacral section of the spine is at the bottom right above the tailbone and it consists of five vertebrae (S-1 to S-5). This section of the spine controls and manages signals to the lower parts of the legs such as the thighs and feet, and most of the external genital organs including the area around the anus. As a result, any injuries to this section of the spine will result in loss of some function in your legs, hips, and overall control of your pelvic organ system.

Accidents that Can Cause Spinal Cord Injuries

In regards to what kind of accidents can cause spinal cord injuries, there are a number of possibilities that can happen, but from what is typically seen in Las Vegas, accidents such as car accidents, falls, and violent assaults are some of the most common. While you can file a general personal injury claim to recover damages, it is important to understand the main differences between them in order to recover the correct amount for your damages.

Car Accidents

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic spinal cord injuries due to the amount of force that occurs in automobile crashes. According to the NSCISC’s spinal cord fact and figures infographic about 38% of SCI’s are caused by car accidents and automobile crashes.

In addition, a 2023 traffic report from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) has reported that 19,407 traffic accidents have occurred and 11,324 have been injured as a result of the accident. Despite all of the safety measures and precautions auto manufacturers have placed, the chances of experiencing spine injuries due to the impact of a car collision is significantly high.

Falls

According to the spine injury trend report from the NCSISC, falls are the second leading cause of spinal cord injuries, amounting to around 31% of all recorded accidents. Out of this percentage, about 6% is due to slip and fall accidents, 5% is from falling from stairs, 4% is from falling from/out/through a building, and 3% is from falling from inside a bathtub.

In a 2020 CDC infographic report, it reveals that nearly 29% of accidental falls in Nevada were from those who were 65 or older, and within that 29% roughly 61% have died from that fall. So the chances of sustaining a traumatic spinal injury from a fall is significantly high for those who are 65 or older.

Assaults

Violent assaults are the third leading cause of spinal cord injuries due to injuries such as gunshot wounds that have the most damaging effect on the spinal cord when there is direct contact. According to the NCSISC spine injury trend report, about 13% of all spine injuries are from violent assaults, however, gunshot wounds make up 12% of all violent assaults.

The LVMPD have also reported in a 2022 violent crime report, firearms were present for about 42% of all aggravated assault cases. While the chances of sustaining an SCI from a violent assault is not as high when compared to the other two, the chances of sustaining a spine injury from a gunshot shot makes it significantly higher.

Can I Sue for a Spinal Cord Injury?

Spinal cord injury cases are considered to be some of the most catastrophic injuries a person could ever be inflicted upon. The extremely high medical expenses paired with the possible lifelong consequences of living with a permanent spinal injury is terrifying. If you can prove that your spine injury case was caused by another party then you can recover compensation for the following damages:

• Medical bills
• Past or future lost wages
• Long-term disability
• Medical therapy or surgery expenses
• Emergency room treatment
• Anticipated future care based on the extent of your injury
• Pain and suffering and emotional distress
• Permanent impairment
• Reduction in quality of life
• Wrongful death

How Much is a Spinal Cord Injury Case Worth? 

While the value of a spinal cord injury lawsuit will entirely depend on the severity of your injury, the estimated average of personal injury cases such as these are worth anywhere between the six to seven figure range. However, for minor spinal injuries they can be valued around the five to six figure range.

This estimated figure takes account of the various medical specialists the victim would need to visit in order for them to have the best quality of life. As spine injuries are life changing injuries, extensive medical care and physical therapy are an absolute necessity, especially for those who need constant medical treatment.

Whether you have suffered economical, non-economical, or punitive damages, an experienced spine injury attorney will be able to resolve a case for millions of dollars, ensuring that the victims are properly compensated for lifelong damages.

Our Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Are Here To Help

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to a tragic accident, you may be able to sue to recover financial damages. As spinal cord damage can potentially leave you with permanent disabilities and long-lasting medical expenses, it is important to seek legal representation for your injuries and emotional distress.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we are readily available to help with your personal injury case. We are a reputable personal injury law firm that has recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation for our clients and we will continue to do our duty to ensure they receive the maximum compensation they deserve.

Our team of spinal cord injury attorneys handles each case with care and integrity to ensure your personal injury claim is filed and processed. To schedule a FREE consultation, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or completing our easy online contact form.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Las Vegas Spinal Cord Injuries

Can I Still Pursue a Spinal Cord Injury Claim if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?

Yes, you can. According to section 41.1395 of Nevada’s Revised Statutes, Nevada law dictates that a victim of an accident is able to financially recover from a case as long as they are not more at fault for the accident than the defendants. Even if you are at fault partially, you can still hire a spinal cord injury lawyer and file a personal injury claim to those who are largely at fault.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Spinal Cord Injury?

If you have been involved in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, then they would be held liable for your damages. Negligence can be determined by the nature and cause of the accident. For example, if you have been involved in a car accident, then the one who caused it would be held liable for all damages. This can range from the driver of the accident, the commercial entity who hired the driver, or the manufacturer of the car that caused the accident in question.

How Long Does a Spine Injury Lawsuit Take?

Generally, a personal injury lawsuit can take 3-6 months to be filed and processed, depending on the nature of the injury. However, any case for severe spinal cord injuries can take up to two years due to the complexities of calculating life long damages and medical treatments.

What Are the Risks of Not Hiring a Lawyer for a Spine Injury Accident?

The biggest risk of not hiring a spinal cord injury lawyer for your case is that you become responsible for paying for all of the medical costs for your injury. Depending on the severity of the injury, these costs may drastically affect your lifestyle, recovery rate, and can potentially put you into debt. So if you have suffered a spinal cord injury in Las Vegas, it is important that you consult with a personal injury law firm to see if you can pursue compensation for your injuries.