California Spinal Cord Attorney

A spinal cord injury can dramatically impact your life. Depending on what vertebral segment is damaged, you may lose the ability to function certain parts of your body temporarily or permanently. You will need to seek medical attention from a doctor who specializes in spinal cord injuries to get started on your treatments. With medical costs, hospital bills, and other additional damages, it can be overwhelming to handle your finances.

If your spinal cord injury was caused by a negligent person, you may be entitled to acquire recoverable compensation. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our qualified California spinal cord injury attorneys have over 20 years of collective legal experience in handling personal injury cases. We will help strengthen your claim and negotiate with insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve.

To schedule a free consultation, please contact our 24/7 legal team by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our quick contact form.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

Spinal cord injuries are referred to as damage to a person’s spinal cord and depending on the severity of the injury, they can easily cause permanent changes in strength, tactile sensation, and other crucial bodily functions. However, the severity of a spinal cord injury is based on how many nerve connections are severed in an accident and they are classified as either complete or incomplete.

Complete spinal cord injury occurs when there is a complete severance of nerve connections from the spine to the brain and all feeling and ability to control movement is lost. Meanwhile, an incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when there is a partial severance of nerve connections and as a result, there is partial motor or sensory function.

Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms

With that in mind, if you have experienced any of the following symptoms after an accident, it is vital that you seek a medical professional to understand the scale of your injury. Should you choose to file a claim, it is important to let an experienced spinal cord injury attorney know about your situation.

• Loss of movement
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Spasms or exaggerated reflex activities
• Difficulty breathing, coughing, or lung secretions
• Pain or intense stinging caused by nerve damage
• Changes in sexual functioning, sexual sensitivity, or fertility
• Loss of/or alteration in the ability to feel heat, cold, and touch
• Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
• Extreme back pain or pressure in the neck, head, or back

Common Causes of a Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord has four sections, which are the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral segments. Any damage done to these areas of the spinal cord can result in different outcomes. While there is a variety of sources that can cause a spinal cord injury, the most common factors that have caused damage to a spinal cord include the following:

• Motor vehicle accidents- Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and truck accidents are some of many forms of motor vehicle accidents that have caused spinal cord injuries. A driver or passenger can sustain a spinal cord injury from powerful force caused by vehicles colliding with one another. The level of severity may vary depending on how strong the impact was.

• Slip and fall accidents- This type of accident is common for the elderly. As people grow older, their bones become more fragile. It can become difficult to properly function your body without having the need to use a cane to maintain your balance. Your vision may also begin to worsen, thus making it difficult to detect any object or hazard nearby that could cause you to slip and fall.

• Violence- Gunshot wounds or knife stabbings directed towards the spinal cord can result in a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury. Paralysis is likely to occur based on what area of the spinal cord sustained the impact of the gunshot or stabbing.

• Sports- Sports-related activities, such as football or hockey, require a lot of physical contact. If a player targets your back area, you could suffer from a spinal cord injury depending on how powerful the impact was.

Why Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?

Since the spinal cord controls the nervous system, any damage to a spinal cord may lead to death if it is not treated. In some cases, victims survive their injuries but be left in a critical state such as complete paralysis or even partial paralysis.

These conditions are not only extremely difficult to live with, but the lifetime costs of paralysis or even chronic pain can be very costly. By hiring an attorney who specializes in these cases, they can help get you the fair compensation you need to live a good life, without putting yourself into debt.

The Importance of Finding A Local Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer In California

When you have suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident, hiring a local attorney can make all the difference in navigating your case effectively. As local lawyers understand the specific laws, regulations, and court systems in your area, they can give you an edge when it comes to building a strong case. In addition to their legal knowledge, local attorneys often have connections with local experts, investigators, and resources that can be crucial to your claim.

Here are some other benefits you can get of working with a local spinal cord injury lawyer:

• In-depth knowledge of local laws: Each city in California has its own nuances when it comes to handling spinal cord injury claims. 
• Familiarity with local courts and judges: A local attorney knows the preferences and tendencies of judges and other legal professionals in the area.
• Accessibility and personalized service: Meeting your attorney in person can provide peace of mind and foster clear communication throughout the process.

If you’re looking for an experienced local spinal cord injury lawyer, we proudly serve clients in cities across California. Explore the links below to find help in your area:

• Los Angeles
• Irvine
• San Bernardino
• Long Beach
• San Francisco
• Newport Beach
• Woodland Hills
• Sacramento
• Beverly Hills
• Pasadena
• Solana Beach
• San Jose
• Bakersfield
• Riverside
• Fresno
• Glendora
• San Diego
• Santa Ana
• Fullerton
• Visalia
• Valencia
• West Covina
• Palm Springs

Types of Spinal Injuries

The spinal cord consists of four distinct areas: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. As each section of the spinal column is responsible for sending and receiving nerve signals, getting injured in one section may affect the others. By understanding each section of the spine, you can properly assess the extent of the damage and how much compensation you can recover from the parties responsible.

Cervical

The cervical section of the spine is located at the very top encompassing the neck area. This section comprises seven vertebrae (C-1 to C-7) and serves as the first and main connection hub that sends signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Any damage inflicted to this area can be fatal and can potentially leave victims with catastrophic injuries and possibly in a quadriplegic state.

Thoracic

The thoracic section is located right underneath the cervical section, taking up the upper half of the spine and consists of twelve vertebrae (T-1 to T-12). This section is responsible for sending signals to the organs and muscles around the chest and abdominal area of the body. Spinal cord victims with injuries to this section can have a dramatic effect on their motor functions, specifically their hands, arms, chest, and any organs around the chest/abdominal area.

Lumbar

Following the thoracic section, the lumbar section consists of five vertebrae (L1-L5) and is responsible for sending signals to the lower parts of the abdomen, back, buttocks, and some parts of the leg and external genital organs. Any spinal injury to this section can affect motor function in the hips, legs, and even controls of the bowels and bladder. In some of the most severe cases, victims may lose all control and feeling in their lower half and become paraplegic.

Sacral

At the very bottom of the spinal cord is the sacral section and it consists of five vertebrae (S-1 to S-5). This section of the spine sends and receives signals to parts of the leg muscles such as the thighs, feet, and even the muscles surrounding the bladder. Should anyone receive any serious injuries to this section of the spine, it may result in a loss of motor functions in your legs, feet, and some of your organs around the pelvic area.

What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury in California

After suffering a spinal cord injury, it is imperative that you call 911 and request to have paramedics arrive at your location to transport you to the hospital. From there, you will be seen by doctors and nurses to get a thorough examination of your wounded area. Once the doctor informs you about the current status of your condition, you will begin the process of getting treatments done, such as taking medication or undergoing a procedure.

Your medical records relating to the spinal cord injury will be saved on file and can be used as evidence to include in your personal injury claim. If you had a friend or family member with you when your spinal cord injury occurred, it is encouraged for them to try to acquire the at-fault party’s contact information.

Once you think you are capable of pursuing a lawsuit against the at-fault party for your spinal cord injury, you will need to seek legal representation from an experienced California spinal cord injury attorney.

Compensation for a Spinal Cord Injury in California

Spinal cord injury victims are expected to undergo medical treatments and physical therapy to regain the ability to perform day-to-day tasks. These services can be quite costly, especially if you are suffering from a complete spinal cord injury as this will require medical treatment for the rest of your life. With that in mind, should any injured victims wish to file spinal injury claim to recover compensation, they may be eligible to recover either economic or non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are recoverable financial losses that have accrued due to the accident in question. Common types of economic damages awarded in a spinal cord injury claim include medical expenses, ongoing medical care, lost wages, ongoing rehabilitation costs, and loss of earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, do not have a monetary value and are meant to compensate victims for any emotional damages they have suffered as a result of the incident. For example, common types of non-economic damages include emotional distress, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering.

Time Limits to File a Spine Injury Claim in California

When you are considering taking legal action against the liable party, it is important to take action on your case quickly. The statute of limitations for all personal injury lawsuits in California is just two years from the date of the incident as per section 335.1 of California’s Code of Civil Procedure. While two years may seem like more than enough time to build a powerful case against the liable party, there may be some complications that can delay your claim.

Should you choose to wait to file your lawsuit and the statute of limitations takes into effect, you will no longer have the opportunity to recover compensation through the California court system. The only exceptions to the two year rule is unless the plaintiff is either a minor, in jail, legally insane, living out-of-state, or disabled.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you have sustained injuries as a result of someone’s negligence or deliberate acts of malice, you have the right to hold the guilty party responsible for your losses. Our California spinal cord injury attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers can recover compensation for the losses you have suffered.

We are a personal injury law firm with over 20 years of experience and as a result of our firm’s dedication of delivering justice, we have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation for our clients. No matter what kind of injury you have sustained, should you have any questions or concerns regarding your case, our 24/7 legal team is available to go over them in complete detail.

Contact us today by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our quick contact form to schedule a free consultation with our experienced, caring, and compassionate legal team.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injuries

How Much Does It Cost to Treat Spinal Cord Injury?

The cost of treating a spinal cord injury will vary greatly upon the severity and location of the injury. For example, any severe spinal cord injury that has resulted in paralysis will immediately cost the accident victim anywhere within the six to seven figure range to properly treat the victim and to make necessary quality of life adjustments. If you are curious about the value of your claim, it is recommended to input your information in a personal injury settlement calculator or consult with an experienced attorney.

How Much Do Lawyers Take From Settlement in California?

Typically in spinal cord injury cases, lawyers will operate on a contingency fee basis where they would only charge a flat fee if they win the case or receive a settlement offer from opposing counsel. The fee itself will vary from lawyer to lawyer, but they can inform you of their rates during a free consultation.

Can You Fully Recover From a Spinal Cord Injury?

Your ability to recover from a spinal cord injury will be dependent on the severity of the injury, because any permanent damage to the spine and the nerves within is irreversible and all costs would be focused towards improving the victim’s quality of life.

Meanwhile, there is a higher likelihood of recovering from an incomplete spinal cord injury, however, it will be a long and costly process. Even if proper treatment is applied, there might be a possibility of sustaining long-term health complications.