If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct of another party. Then you may have a right of action against the defendant for damages under California law. As with other catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injury disputes require thorough and aggressive representation to ensure that the injured plaintiff can access the maximum possible damages, given the circumstances.
At Prestige Law Firm, we have extensive experience helping clients navigate the unique challenges and opportunities available to them in a spinal cord injury lawsuit. We understand that plaintiffs must balance their need to secure compensation (for their immediate expenses and losses) with their need to secure maximum compensation. And we are committed to working closely with clients to ensure that they remain engaged. Throughout the process and are able to communicate their goals, preferences, and concerns.
Ready to move forward? Contact our firm today to set up a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in our Los Angeles office. We believe that accessible legal representation is important to developing an effective attorney-client relationship.
In an accident where the plaintiff has suffered a spinal cord injury. The damages can be extensive. These damages can also vary from case to case. To clarify, let’s consider two different circumstances arising out of the same set of facts.
Suppose that you have an injurry in a car accident.
In Scenario A, a piece of metal shrapnel severs your spinal cord and renders you, a quadriplegic. As a result, you experience a rather extreme set of losses: you can no longer perform any real work (loss of income). You feel mental anguish at having lost the use of most of your body, your personal, social, and recreational lives diminish in quality, and more.
In Scenario B, that piece of metal shrapnel narrowly misses your spinal cord. You experience a damaging flesh wound that forces you to miss work for several months. And that causes you significant pain and suffering, with some additional long-term motor impairment But your losses are far less catastrophic than in Scenario A.
The avoidance of a paralyzing injury fundamentally altered the character and amount of loss between the two scenarios.
Though many spinal cord injuries occur in accidents. Others develop over time through exposure to repetitive stress and other negative impact forces. For example, a contract worker who is asking to move heavy, poorly-balanced boxes (without assistance) may develop a condition that damages his spinal cord. This could eventually give rise to significant functional impairments and various other losses.
As an injured, prospective plaintiff, it’s important to understand the range of spinal cord injuries. That commonly affects those in the same or similar circumstances. A broad understanding will enable you to identify that you are suffering from a spinal cord injury, anticipate its development over time, and perhaps, determine whether the injury at issue was caused by the negligent or wrongful misconduct of another party.
Common spinal cord injuries include. But are not enough to, the following:
Spinal disc herniation, also known as a slipped disc, is an injury that involves damage to the connective tissue between vertebral bones. Spinal disc herniation typically occurs when there is either significant long-term strain to the spine (i.e., through poor posture, age-related degeneration. The strain on body mechanics due to lifting unbalanced, heavy items, etc.), or immediate physical trauma, as in a motor vehicle accident.
Spinal disc herniation can lead to a range of symptoms that include inflammation, consistent pain in the neck or lower back, undefined extremity pain, and motor-sensory issues. Such as numbness and muscle weakness. Typically, the symptoms are available on one side of the body, or in a specific area of the body.
Bulging discs are similar to herniated discs, except that the disc itself is not cracked, ruptured, or otherwise damaged. Instead, a patient who is suffering from bulging discs may only be experiencing symptoms. Due to natural wear-and-tear on the outer layer of their spinal cord discs. This may arise due to age-related stiffness and deterioration of the discs’ cartilage, or even trauma impacting the outer layer of the discs. Symptoms tend to be lighter than those experienced by spinal disc herniation patients.
Cervical myelopathy is primarily a degenerative condition that is caused by spinal cord compression (at the cervical spine area). It is quite common among older people. And its onset may not be obvious to the afflicted. As symptoms appear slowly and there is a low level of pain (if any). As such, it may develop in severity without adequate treatment.
Symptoms include motor-sensory issues such as persistent numbness, fine motor clumsiness, and painful hand movement. There may also be a general dexterity loss, loss of strength, and muscle atrophy. As well as neck pain and stiffness.
Spondylolisthesis is the slipping of vertebral bones out of their normal position in the overall spinal structure. Which can lead to a range of symptoms and impairments. It typically involves the vertebrae located near the lower portion of the spinal structure.
Spondylolisthesis may result from a variety of causes. Such as a general defect (at birth), to sudden physical trauma. Such as in a motor vehicle accident or in a collision during recreational sports activities. For example, if you are injured in an accident that cracks the vertebrae, the vertebrae may not slip back into place during recovery and may remain permanently shifted. In some spondylolisthesis cases, the condition is causing by a long-term disease that breaks down the structure of the vertebrae and causes them to slip out of position over time.
Spondylolisthesis symptoms include back pain (particularly in the lower back), muscle strain and stiffness, radiating pain (particularly in the lower body and extremities), difficulty standing, motor difficulties (i.e., limited range of motion), muscle spasms, muscle weakness, and much more.
A vertebral compression fracture involves the cracking or collapsing of a vertebral bone in the spinal structure. And maybe caused by a variety of factors. Vertebral compression fractures typically occur in the middle portion of the spine. As that is where the surrounding spinal structure is best positioned to “collapse” in on the damaged vertebrae.
In some cases, the patient may have weakened vertebrae due to a pre-existing condition. Such as osteoporosis, or perhaps even a spinal infection. And this may make it easier for the patient to suffer a compression fracture while participating in “normal activities,” such as running around, lifting a box, engaging in light recreational sports, etc.
In other cases, the patient may experience an extreme shock or trauma (such as being thrown from their vehicle in a car accident) that violently fractures the vertebral bones at issue and compresses the spine.
Vertebral compression fractures are unique in that the fracture causes the surrounding vertebral bone structures to collapse in on themselves and “compress,” which leads to a number of symptoms. The compression is due to the weight of the surrounding spinal structure and the position of the damaged vertebrae.
Symptoms include sudden back pain, shrinking height, pain when moving, limited range of motion in the spine, spinal deformation, and more. Given the fundamentally unstable nature of the injury. A vertebral compression fracture can significantly worsen over time if left undiagnosed and untreated.
If you’ve suffered a serious spinal cord injury in an accident that is causing by the fault of another party. California law may give you a right of action against the defendant responsible for your losses. When litigating a spinal cord injury case. However, it’s important that you work with a team of attorneys. Who understands how to aggressively litigate on your behalf and push for the maximum available damages. Extreme losses are compensation accordingly. And if you “win” your case but are insufficiently compensated. Then that is not a satisfactory result.
We can help.
At Prestige Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys have decades of experience litigating cases involving spinal cord injuries. And other catastrophic injuries on behalf of plaintiffs throughout the state of California. We are willing and able to try cases to their ultimate conclusion. This readiness not only ensures that we are better prepared for trial litigation. In the event that negotiations break down, but also gives us additional leverage at the negotiating table, often allowing us to secure a favorable pre-litigation compromise.
Call us at 818-788-0808 or send us a message online to schedule a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation with an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. We operate multiple offices in Southern California (Palmdale and Sherman Oaks), but regularly represent clients in Northern California as well.
