San Francisco Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Spinal cord injuries are some of the most catastrophic injuries a person could sustain in their lives because it can drastically affect your way of life in ways you couldn’t have imagined. As the spine has a limited ability to absorb shock and impact, and sudden powerful blows to the back can potentially cause nerve damage and ultimately result in chronic pain, paralysis, and a loss of organ function. With that in mind, the thought of paying for any medical bills related to spinal cord damage is terrifying and can become a constant financial burden.

If you or a loved one has sustained serious injuries due to someone else’s negligence then you may be able to obtain compensation from the at-fault party. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of spinal cord injury lawyers are ready to represent you and fight for your road to recovery. With over 20 years of legal experience, our lawyers handle each case with the utmost care and respect that it deserves and they are confident that they can get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation to our deserving clients and we will continue to do our duty to give them proper legal representation. Whether you have been involved in a car accident and received back pain or sustained a cervical spine fracture due to someone’s negligence, our legal team is available 24/7 to address any questions or concerns you may have.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE 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 defines a spinal injury as a direct injury to the spinal cord or to the tissue and bones surrounding the spinal cord. Any injury that is strong enough to damage the nerves can potentially affect how the spine sends and receives signals from the brain to the rest of the body. As a result, spinal cord injuries can be categorized as either Complete or Incomplete. Whether the spinal cord injury is incomplete or complete, one thing for certain is that with these physical changes, it can really take a toll on a person’s mental and physical health.

Complete

A complete spinal cord injury is when a person has lost all sensory and motor function below the injured area. This type of injury is sometimes referred to as a complete paralysis and this means that the spine is no longer functioning at a capacity to which it can send and receive signals to and from the brain. Common symptoms of a complete spinal cord injury include a loss of sensation in the arms or legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, difficulty breathing, pain in the neck or back area, or unusual lumps on the spine.

Incomplete

An incomplete spinal cord injury is when a person may have some motor or sensory function below the injured area. Sometimes referred to as partial paralysis, this type of injury can still function to a certain degree and send receptors to and from the brain. Due to the nature of incomplete injuries, victims can potentially recover from it, however, depending on the severity of the injury it can potentially take a significant amount of time. Common symptoms of an incomplete spinal cord injury include the inability to walk, difficulty breathing, loss of coordination, numbness, tingling, loss of bladder or bowel control, or pain in the head, back, or neck area.

Types of Spinal Cord Injury

As spinal cord injuries will not only depend on the severity of the injury, placement is another huge factor and it can result in different types of spinal injuries. With that in mind, the most common type of spinal cord injuries are cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. Each type is categorized based on their location on the spine and it can drastically affect certain parts of the body and organs. So if you have sustained a spinal cord injury, it is important that you understand the differences between each type in order to have a better understanding of your situation.

Cervical

The cervical spine of the spine consists of seven vertebrae (C-1 to C-7) and it is located in the neck. Due to its close proximity to the brain, any injury to that portion of the spine can be fatal, however, it can also result in quadriplegia, which is one of the most severe injuries a person could experience. With that in mind, spinal cord injury victims with a cervical injury would require constant medical care and treatment.

Thoracic

The thoracic spine consists of twelve vertebrae (T-1 to T-12) and is located in the upper and middle portion of the spine. Within that section, the upper half is responsible for sending signals to the muscles and organs in your upper chest and mid-back, meanwhile, the lower half is responsible for the abdominal and back muscles. Any injury in that section will result in a loss of organ and muscle function which can be problematic and drastically affect people’s victims.

Lumbar

The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae (L1-L5) and represents the lower portion of the spine, sending signals to the abdomen, back, buttocks, and legs. As a result, any injury to this section can potentially result in a loss of motor functions in the lower half of your body and can affect organs such as your bowels and bladder control.

Sacral

The sacral spine consists of five vertebrae (S-1 to S-5) and is located right above the tailbone. This section controls and manages signals to your pelvic organ system such as thighs, feet, and genital organs. Any sacral injuries can result in loss in feeling and control which can become an inconvenient experience.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in San Francisco

When it comes to determining the most common causes of spinal cord injuries, there are a number of factors that can result in a spinal injury. However, from what is typically seen in San Francisco, car accidents, falls, and violent assaults are the leading causes of spinal cord injury cases. So if you are filing a claim with an attorney, it is important that you understand the differences between each cause so you know what kind of damages you can be entitled to.

Car Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of sustaining a spinal cord injury because the amount of force and impact that can occur in a car accident can easily injure a person’s back for a significant amount of time. According to a 2024 infographic conducted by the NSCISC, 37.5% of all car accidents have caused severe spinal cord injuries. This is due to the fact that there are not that many protective measures for the spine in a car, especially in severe accidents, despite all of the safety precautions that have been set by car manufacturers.

Accidental Falls

According to the NSCISC 2024 infographic, accidental falls account for about 31% of all traumatic spinal cord injuries and in an adjacent 2023 annual statistical report the chances of people sustaining traumatic spinal injuries dramatically increase as we get older, specifically around the 46-60 year old range. While falls are not something people are generally weary of, the chances of sustaining a serious back injury from a fall gets higher as we get older. As a result, if you have experienced a slip and fall due to someone’s negligence, then it is important to pursue financial compensation in order to prevent serious long-term damage in the remaining half of your life.

Violent Assaults

Violent assaults are defined as any physical altercation that may or may not include a weapon. However, from what is typically seen in spinal cord injury cases, assaults with a weapon such as guns, knives, and other objects increase the chances of sustaining spine injuries due to the damage they can cause. While the chances of receiving a spinal injury from a violent assault is not as high compared to others, the chances of obtaining one when it does happen is significantly high. So it is important that you seek out personal injury lawyers who are experienced handling these types of cases.

Available Damages for a Spinal Cord Injury 

Those who successfully prove negligence in a spinal cord injury case will be awarded economic and non-economic damages. Depending on the nature of the incident and the severity of the injury, victims may be able to claim one or a mixture or both. Economic damages refer to calculable losses that can be recovered for a specific monetary value in the event of suffering an unexpected accident. For example, medical bills, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity are all unexpected costs that arise and can be recovered for a specific value in personal injury claims.

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, refer to the compensating a victim for incalculable damages that are considered subjective and difficult to place a monetary value on. For instance, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are all things that are difficult to place a specific value on and will vary from person-to-person.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Always Here to Help

If you are suffering from a spinal cord injury due to the negligence of another individual, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against them. As the associated costs of treating a spinal cord injury is significantly high, it is vital that you seek compensation so that you can get the proper treatment you need in order to make a timely recovery.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of spinal cord injury attorneys are ready to become your personal representative during this stressful time in your life. We are a law firm that specializes in personal injury law and our spinal cord injury lawyers handle each case with the care and respect that it deserves. With over 20 years of legal experience, our attorneys are well versed in the California court system and are confident that they can get you the financial compensation you deserve for your losses.

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation for our clients and we will continue to do our duty and guide them throughout the legal process. As filing a spinal cord injury claim can be a stressful experience, especially for those who are not familiar with the legal process, our legal team is available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your case.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation today, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by completing our easy online contact form.

Frequently Asked Question About Spinal Cord Injury Claims in San Francisco

How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Case?

According to section 335.1 of California’s code of civil procedure, all personal injury victims have up to two years after the accident date to file a claim. If you choose to file a claim after that time frame then the statute of limitations will apply and your claim will be dismissed in court. The only exception to the two year rule is unless the filing plaintiff is either a minor, in jail, legally insane, living out-of-state, or disabled. So unless these conditions are applicable to your case, then it is highly recommended that you pursue legal representation for your case.

Will I Win More Compensation if I Hire an Attorney for My Case?

Yes, if you hire a spinal cord injury attorney for your case then the chances of earning more compensation for your injuries will go up significantly. This is largely due to the fact that attorneys understand the legal process better than the average person and are more experienced in negotiating with insurance companies and opposing parties objectively.

How Much Does It Cost to Treat a Spinal Cord Injury?

The total cost to treat a spinal cord injury is going to vary on a case-by-case basis because whether the spinal injury is complete or incomplete can have a significant difference in treatment. For example, a severe spinal cord injury such as permanent paralysis can cost around an annual cost of six figures in order to keep the victim alive and well, meanwhile, mild cases of paralysis or chronic pain, then it can range around the five figure sum per year until the injury has healed. So with these costs in mind, it is vital that you consult with an attorney to help you get compensation to pay for these medical expenses.