Spinal cord injuries are among the most catastrophic and life-changing injuries, often leading to paralysis, chronic pain, loss of mobility, and long-term medical complications. These injuries can occur due to car accidents, falls, workplace accidents, or medical malpractice, and they often require expensive medical treatments, rehabilitation, and lifelong care.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. A San Diego spinal cord injury lawyer can help you fight for justice and secure the financial support needed for your recovery.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur in various types of accidents, including:
Motor vehicle accidents, such as car, motorcycle, and truck crashes, which are a leading cause of spinal trauma. Pedestrian and bicycle accidents, where victims suffer direct impact to the spine.
Slip and fall accidents, including falls from staircases, ladders, or slippery surfaces, leading to spinal fractures.
Workplace and construction accidents, where workers fall from heights, get struck by objects, or experience machinery-related injuries.
Sports and recreational injuries, especially in high-impact sports like football, diving, or extreme sports.
Medical malpractice, such as surgical errors, misdiagnosed spinal conditions, or anesthesia mistakes leading to paralysis or nerve damage.
Acts of violence, including gunshot wounds, stabbings, or blunt-force trauma, causing spinal cord injuries.
If your spinal cord injury was caused by any of these factors, a San Diego spinal cord injury lawyer can investigate the case and determine who should be held liable.
Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are classified based on their severity and location along the spine. The most common types include:
Complete spinal cord injuries, where the spinal cord is fully severed, resulting in total loss of movement and sensation below the injury site.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries, where some nerve function remains, allowing for partial movement or sensation.
Paraplegia, which affects the lower half of the body, including the legs and pelvic organs.
Quadriplegia (tetraplegia), which affects both the arms and legs, often requiring lifelong medical care and assistive devices.
Herniated or bulging discs, which can cause chronic pain, numbness, and weakness in affected areas.
Fractured vertebrae, which can damage the spinal cord and lead to severe mobility restrictions.
A San Diego spinal cord injury lawyer will work with medical experts and rehabilitation specialists to assess the severity of your injury and pursue the maximum compensation possible.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Spinal Cord Injury?
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, multiple parties may be held responsible for spinal cord injuries, including:
- Negligent drivers who cause car, motorcycle, or truck accidents.
- Property owners who fail to maintain safe premises, leading to slip and fall accidents.
- Employers or contractors responsible for unsafe working conditions.
- Manufacturers of defective products, such as faulty safety equipment or defective vehicles.
- Doctors or medical professionals who commit surgical errors or fail to diagnose spinal conditions properly.
A San Diego spinal cord injury lawyer will conduct a detailed investigation to determine who is liable and build a strong case for compensation.
Compensation Available in a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit
Victims of spinal cord injuries may be entitled to significant compensation, including:
Economic damages, such as medical expenses, including surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and physical therapy. Home modifications and assistive devices, including wheelchairs, ramps, and mobility aids. Lost wages and future earnings if the victim can no longer work.
Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering due to chronic pain, nerve damage, and paralysis. Loss of enjoyment of life, including the inability to participate in hobbies or daily activities. Emotional distress and mental anguish caused by the life-altering nature of spinal cord injuries.
Punitive damages, which may be awarded in cases of gross negligence, such as drunk driving accidents or reckless workplace safety violations.
A San Diego spinal cord injury lawyer will calculate the full value of your claim and fight for maximum compensation.
How to Prove Negligence in a Spinal Cord Injury Case
To win a spinal cord injury lawsuit, you must prove that:
- The responsible party had a duty of care to prevent harm.
- They breached that duty through negligence, recklessness, or wrongful actions.
- This breach directly caused your spinal cord injury.
- You suffered damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
A San Diego spinal cord injury lawyer will work with medical specialists, accident reconstruction experts, and life-care planners to build a strong case for compensation.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuits
California law sets strict deadlines for filing a spinal cord injury lawsuit:
- Two years from the date of the injury for personal injury claims.
- One year from the discovery of medical malpractice-related spinal injuries.
- Six months for claims against government entities (e.g., a city-maintained roadway hazard causing a spinal injury).
Failing to file within these deadlines can result in losing your right to compensation, so it’s crucial to consult an attorney as soon as possible.
Recent Spinal Cord Injury Settlements in California
Several high-profile spinal cord injury cases have resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements, including:
- Car accident spinal injury – $12.6 million settlement awarded to a victim who suffered paraplegia after a high-speed crash caused by a reckless driver.
- Slip and fall spinal cord injury – $8.3 million verdict for a victim who suffered partial paralysis after falling on an unsafe stairway.
- Workplace spinal injury – $7.9 million settlement for a construction worker injured in a fall from scaffolding due to lack of safety measures.
These cases highlight the serious consequences of spinal cord injuries and the importance of holding negligent parties accountable.
How a San Diego Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Can Help
Filing a spinal cord injury claim is complex and requires extensive legal and medical expertise. A San Diego spinal cord injury lawyer can:
- Investigate the cause of your injury, gathering witness statements, accident reports, and medical records.
- Work with medical experts to assess the severity of the injury and long-term care needs.
- Negotiate with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement.
- File a lawsuit if the responsible party refuses to offer fair compensation.
Choosing the Best Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in San Diego
When selecting a San Diego spinal cord injury lawyer, consider:
- Experience – A lawyer with a strong track record in spinal cord injury and catastrophic injury cases.
- Resources – Access to medical specialists, rehabilitation experts, and financial analysts.
- Trial Readiness – A law firm prepared to litigate aggressively if necessary.
- Client-Centered Representation – A lawyer who prioritizes your recovery and future well-being.
Contact a San Diego Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve justice. A San Diego spinal cord injury lawyer can help you file a claim, seek compensation, and hold responsible parties accountable.
Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you secure the compensation you deserve.
References
- National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. (2024). Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Treatment Costs. Retrieved from https://www.nscisc.uab.edu
- California Department of Public Health. (2024). Causes and Prevention of Spinal Cord Injuries in California. Retrieved from https://www.cdph.ca.gov
- U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2024). Spinal Cord Injury Recovery and Treatment Advances. Retrieved from https://www.ninds.nih.gov
