Washington Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

A spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating injuries a person can ever receive in an accident due to the possibility of sustaining long-term health complications. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC)has reported in a fact and figure report that there is an average of 302,000 people in the United States who are living with a severe spinal cord injury. It has also been calculated that the average cost to treat a spinal cord injury is around $54,000 per year.

With such a high cost of recovery, these medical bills can potentially push a person’s finances to their absolute limits and can generate enormous stress for them and their family. So if you or a loved one has sustained a spinal cord injury due to the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of spinal cord injury lawyers are ready to take on your case and fight for you. We are a law firm with over 20 years of legal experience and, as a result of our dedication, our attorneys understand the complexities of a spinal cord injury claim and 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 fight for their rights and help them recover a fair compensation for their injuries. Whether you have sustained a spinal cord injury from a car accident or due to a person’s ill intent, our legal team is available 24/7 to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding your case.

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 206-222-8860 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

What Is Considered a Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury?

A traumatic spinal cord injury is referred to as the damage to the spine and/or the bundle of nerves and nerve fibers that sends and receives signals from the brain. While the severity of the injury will vary on a case-by-case basis, most spinal cord injuries can be categorized either into one of two categories: Complete or 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 a complete loss of muscle movement and feeling. This classification is one of the most serious injuries victims can face, because complete injuries are permanent and the chances of recovering from one are extremely rare and very costly.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

An incomplete spinal cord injury is when the spinal cord has lost some nerve connections, but it is still able to send partial commands from the brain to the rest of the body. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, those who have sustained spinal cord injuries are incomplete would mean that they lose control and feeling on certain body parts and organs. In terms of recovery, spinal cord injury victims have a better chance at recovery compared to those with complete injuries.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

When it comes to determining the most common causes of spinal cord injuries, there are a variety of things that can cause it, but from what is commonly seen in Washington state, falls, car accidents, and assaults are the most prevalent. With that in mind, it is highly recommended to familiarize yourself with these different causes so you are more prepared to discuss your case in full detail with a spinal cord injury lawyer.

Falling

The NSCISC has reported in a 2024 infographic that accidental falls account for about 31% of all traumatic spinal cord injuries. While accidents that occur due to a person’s own volition or clumsiness does not meet the standard of a spinal cord injury claim, any falls due to the negligence of a property owner or someone with ill intent are. As falls can happen anywhere and anytime, if you have been injured in a slip and fall due another party’s negligence then it is important to consult with an attorney to get started on the process.

Motor Vehicle Accident

Motor vehicle accidents are without a doubt one of the most common instances where people have sustained spinal cord injuries. Due to the spine’s inability to absorb an excessive amount of pressure and impact force, any car crash has the potential to leave a serious spinal injury on a driver. In fact, a 2024 infographic conducted by the NSCISC reveals that about 37.5% of all car accidents have caused severe spinal cord injuries. While the cause of a car accident can vary from distracted driving to faulty mechanical problems, the chances of sustaining any spinal or back injury is very common and it is highly recommended to see a medical professional.

Physical Violence

Violent assaults are referred to as any physical altercation that may or may not include a weapon. The NSCISC 2024 infographic indicates that about 15% of spinal cord injury victims have suffered an injury due to a violent assault. While the chances of sustaining a severe injury is not as high compared to falls and car accidents, it still stands as the third highest cause of spinal cord injuries. Should you sustain a spinal cord injury due to the ill intent of another party, it is vital that you seek legal representation immediately in order to get compensation and justice.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Claims in Washington?

According to RCW 4.16.080, all personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years from the date of the incident. If spinal injury victims do not file a claim within that time period then they would automatically waive their right to pursue compensation for their injuries. Any attempt to file a spinal cord injury case after three years would be immediately dismissed from court. With that in mind, it is important to hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to get started on your claim, because depending on the nature of the incident, the process to file may take longer than expected.

How Can a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Help Me?

A spinal cord injury lawyer can help you file and process your claim effectively and provide you with legal guidance and support throughout the entire process of the claim. Depending on the nature and severity of the spinal cord injury, interviews and negotiations with different parties and insurance adjusters may be required, but spinal cord injury attorneys can speak on your behalf and represent your best interests objectively and allow you to focus on recovery.

While accident victims can choose to file a spinal cord injury claim without the assistance of an attorney, however, they would become more vulnerable to insurance adjusters and opposing counsel who will take advantage of their situation and try to award you with a smaller settlement. This alone can drastically affect a victim’s chances of making a full recovery, so it is vital that you consider hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer.

What Kind of Damages Can I Recover in Personal Injury Cases?

Those who can prove negligence in a spinal cord injury case will be awarded a sum that will compensate them for the injuries they have sustained. Depending on the nature and severity of the injury, victims can either receive economic, non-economic, or punitive damages. As trying to determine the value of your personal injury lawsuit can be a daunting task, it is highly recommended to not only familiarize yourself with what you can recover. To get a rough estimate of what you could be entitled to, you can use our personal injury settlement calculator by applying the expenses you incurred.

Economic

Economic damages are referred to as calculable losses that can be recovered for a specific value. For example, damages such as medical expenses, ongoing medical care, lost wages, property damage, 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 be awarded just compensation, 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 awarded compensation will greatly vary on a case-by-case basis. For instance, damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life are very difficult to place a definitive value on compared to something like medical bills. As a result, attorneys will need to gather evidence that the victim’s mental state has significantly dipped due to the accident in question.

Punitive

Punitive damages are a rare form of damages intentionally designed to punish the at-fault party for their actions. Much like non-economic damages, the monetary value of punitive damages will also vary greatly based on the nature of the incident. For punitive damages to be served, the accident in question must have been conducted with extreme recklessness or ill will. As such, the court will typically issue 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 suffers a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence then you may be entitled to recover compensation. As spinal cord injuries can take a huge physical and emotional toll on a person, it is important that you hire an experienced personal injury attorney who can look out for your best interests.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of spinal cord injury attorneys are ready to take on your case and serve as your personal representative during this stressful time in your life. With over 20 years of legal experience, our team of attorneys handled every case with the utmost care and respect that it deserves and they are confident that they can get you the 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 to guide them throughout the legal process. Our team of spinal cord injury attorneys are not only well versed in the Washington state court system, but they will be there every step of the way to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding 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 206-222-8860 or by completing our easy online contact form.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Injuries in Washington

How Much Does a Spinal Cord Injury Cost per Year?

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, permanent paralysis can cost around an annual cost of six figures in order to keep the victim alive and well.

Meanwhile, cases of mild paralysis or chronic pain can range around the five figure range 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.

What Is the Survival Rate for a Spinal Cord Injury?

According to a 2012 study from the National Library of Medicine, the survival rate of a spinal cord injury is going to be largely dependent on the severity of the injury and what kind of neurological impairment have been derived as a result of the accident. For example, someone who has sustained paralyzing injuries such as tetraplegia have an average survival rate of 60% due to its dramatic impact on a person’s quality of life.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?

Generally speaking, spinal cord injury lawyers operate under a contingency system where they would only charge a flat fee for their services. However, they can only charge this fee if they either win their case or receive a settlement offer from opposing counsel. Should they achieve either scenario then the fee can range anywhere between 25% to 40%, but most attorneys would average around 33%.