Santa Ana Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Spinal cord injuries are one of the most devastating injuries a person could ever experience in their life. The chances of sustaining life-changing injuries due to a severe accident is not only significantly high, but it can ultimately have a profound impact on your everyday life. According to a fact and figure report conducted by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), there are on average 302,000 people in the United States who are living with a severe spinal cord injury.

As spinal injuries can come from a variety of accidents from auto accidents to fall accidents, the thought of paying for any medical bills related to spinal cord damage is terrifying. For that reason, if you or a loved one has suffered spinal injuries due to someone else’s negligence or ill intention, then you may be able to sue to recover compensation.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of spinal cord injury lawyers are ready to represent you and fight for your and your family. We are a law firm that specializes in personal injury lawsuits and our experienced team of attorneys have worked on a variety of cases from the simple to the most damaging. With over 20 years of legal experience, our lawyers 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 to our deserving clients and we will continue to represent their best interests and ensure them that any medical expenses related to their injury will be compensated. Whether you have been involved in a car accident or sustained serious injuries 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.

Understanding a Spinal Cord Injury

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a spinal injury is defined as a direct injury to the spinal cord or to the tissue and bones surrounding the spinal cord. If there is any injury to the spine then it can potentially damage the nerves that send and receive signals to and from the brain. Depending on the severity of the injury it can result in temporary or life-long health complications such as paralysis. As such, every spinal cord injury can be categorized either into one of two categories: Complete and Incomplete.

Complete

A complete injury is when there is a complete severance of nerve connections from the spine to the brain. As a result, there is a complete loss of motor control, feeling, and function. Complete spinal cord injuries are one of the worst types of injuries a person can sustain, because they are permanent and depending on which section of the spine is injured it can dramatically alter your life as you know it. With that in mind, medical treatment and costs will become an ongoing expense and it is very costly.

Incomplete

An incomplete spinal cord injury is when the spinal cord has lost some nerve connections and is only able to send partial commands to and from the brain. As a result, those who have suffered incomplete spinal injuries will suffer partial paralysis and a significant loss of control and feeling on certain parts of the body. Due to the nature of this type of injury, an incomplete spinal injury can be recovered, however, the associated costs that come along with it can become very costly depending on which section of the spine and the extent of the injury.

What Are the Most Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?

The most common type of spinal cord injuries are cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. Each type of injury is categorized based on a specific section of the spine and depending on the severity of the injury it can drastically affect certain parts of the body and organs. With that in mind, spinal cord injury victims should be aware of the different types of injuries when they are filing a spinal cord injury lawsuit with their lawyer.

Cervical

The cervical section 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, an 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.

Thoracic

The thoracic section consists of twelve vertebrae (T-1 to T-12) and is located in the upper and middle portion of the spine. Within the 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.

Lumbar

The lumbar section 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.

Sacral

The sacral section 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 injury to this portion of the spine can result in loss in feeling and control which can become an inconvenient experience.

How Much Is My Spinal Cord Injury Claim Worth?

The overall cost of spinal cord injuries will vary on a case-by-case basis and will be dependent on several factors such as severity and scale. As spine injuries can result in devastating results, the compensation amount can even be determined by the permanent or recoverable nature of the injury. For example, a spinal injury that has left the victim with a permanent disability can be valued anywhere well within the six to seven figure range in order to compensate them for medical bills, physical therapy costs, lost wages, and any necessary medical treatments.

Common Damages In Spinal Cord Injury Claims

If you are filing for a spinal cord injury case, it is important to understand what kind of damages you can recover. Typically, there are two types of damages that are recoverable in spinal cord injury lawsuits, Economic and Non-economic. However, in some rare instances, punitive damages may also be served if the case was extremely severe and damaging to the victim’s life and to their family. So if you are filing a spinal cord injury case, it is best to familiar yourself with the different kinds of damages that are available.

Economic

Economic damages are referred to as calculable losses that can be recovered for a specific value. For example, damages such as medical expenses, physical therapy, lost income, and quality of life adjustments are all unexpected costs that typically arise in spinal cord injury cases. Due to the exorbitant amount of these costs, an injury victim can recover all of these costs, especially if they have sustained permanent paralysis or catastrophic injuries.

Non-Economic

Non-economic damages are defined as incalculable losses that can be recovered for a varying value. Due to the subjective nature of non-economic damages, the compensation for these types of claims will vary on a case-by-case basis. Damages such as pain and suffering, emotional suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life are very difficult to place a definitive value on, and as a result, there needs to be valid proof that the accident in question has had a profound impact on accident victims.

Punitive

Punitive damages are a rare form of damages intentionally designed to punish the at-fault party for their actions. There is no monetary amount awarded to the injured party, but instead serves as a means of serving justice to those responsible and giving them closure. For punitive damages to be served, the accident in question must have been conducted with extreme recklessness or ill will. Due to the nature of punitive damages, the court will typically use punitive damages to set legal precedence and to deter any possible incidents that may be similar by design.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here To Help

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in the Orange county area due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to file a claim and secure compensation for your injuries. Filing a personal injury lawsuit can be a complicated process, especially if you are unfamiliar with the legal process. Which is why it is imperative to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer who will look out for your best interests.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of spinal cord injury attorneys are ready to fight for you and become your personal representative during this stressful time in your life. We are a personal injury law firm with over 20 years of legal experience and 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. Our team of spinal cord injury attorneys handle each case with the utmost care and integrity and they are available to address 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 Santa Ana

What if I Suffer a Spinal Cord Injury at Work?

If you have suffered a spinal cord injury at work, it is important that you seek medical attention to understand the severity of your injury and from there you can file for workers’ compensation. If you have suffered a spinal cord injury during work and are having problems with your claim to receive compensation, it is best to seek out a personal injury lawyer who can assist you with your claim.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Case in Orange County?

In California, you have two years to file a personal injury claim for your case as per section 335.1 of California’s code of civil procedure. Any attempts to file a claim when the statute of limitations is in effect will result in your case being dismissed by the 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, the chances of earning more compensation for your damages goes up significantly. This is mainly due to the fact that attorneys understand the legal process better than the average person and they 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 due to the fact there are differing levels of severity involved such as paralysis and loss of organ function. In some of the most severe cases of paralysis, treatment and quality of life adjustments can range to around an annual cost of six figures. However, for more mild cases of paralysis or chronic pain, then it can range around the five figure sum per year. So with these costs in mind, it is vital that you hire a spinal cord injury attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve to pay for these medical expenses.