A spinal cord injury can permanently alter the course of your life. A serious injury forces you to focus on survival first. Once the hospital visits begin to slow and the reality sinks in, most people start asking hard questions. Who’s going to pay for this? Will life ever feel normal again? If the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, contacting a Phoenix spinal cord injury lawyer may be the next critical step in pursuing legal action.
Gallagher & Kennedy helps victims pursue financial compensation after catastrophic injuries involving spinal cord damage. We represent clients across Phoenix and throughout Arizona in personal injury cases involving lifelong care needs and complex liability issues. You focus on recovery. We handle the legal process as a law firm focused on serious injury matters.
Key Takeaways
- A spinal cord injury can result in permanent paralysis, partial loss of motor function, or total paralysis in severe cases involving severe spinal cord injuries.
- The first step after a spinal cord injury is to seek immediate medical attention and begin appropriate medical treatment.
- Identifying the cause of the spinal injury is critical for determining what legal rights you have and identifying the at-fault party.
- Spinal cord injuries require detailed projections for lifelong medical care, assistive devices, occupational therapy, and vehicle modifications.
- Hiring a Phoenix spinal cord injury attorney can prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of victims in personal injury matters.
Why Hire a Phoenix Spinal Cord Injury Attorney?
The legal process for spinal cord injury claims can be complicated, requiring the expertise of a qualified attorney. An experienced attorney understands the complex issues involved in spinal injury litigation, including claims tied to medical malpractice and other personal injury matters.
Hire Local Spinal Cord Personal Injury Lawyers
Spinal cord injury lawyers in Phoenix often have extensive experience handling catastrophic injuries and understand how Arizona law applies in personal injury cases. Local knowledge of Arizona regulations, including reporting requirements connected to the Arizona Department of Transportation after a car accident, can be critical to protecting a claim.
Consulting with a Phoenix spinal cord injury lawyer is essential for a fair evaluation of your case and to determine whether legal action is appropriate.
The Lasting Impact of Spinal Cord Damage
The spinal cord is encased in a series of hollow vertebrae made of bone that protect the spinal canal and allow it to transmit signals between the brain and body. When spinal cord damage occurs, this communication may be disrupted, resulting in permanent damage, partial loss of sensation, or loss of motor function.
Complete or Incomplete Spinal Cord Damage
Spinal cord injuries can be classified as complete or incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury results in total paralysis below the point of injury, while an incomplete injury may allow limited motor function or sensation. Over half of spinal cord injury patients live as quadriplegics, while most of the remainder are paraplegics, affecting the lower body.
The higher the injury occurs, the more serious the consequences. A cervical spine injury involving the cervical spine is typically the most debilitating and may cause respiratory problems, loss of bladder control, and permanent paralysis. Injuries involving the thoracic spine, lumbar spine, or sacral spine injuries may result in chronic pain, impaired mobility, and long-term functional limitations.
Traumatic Event Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can result from traumatic and nontraumatic events. Traumatic injuries stem from external forces, while nontraumatic causes include spinal cord diseases, autoimmune diseases, degenerative disc disease, and conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Phoenix
Motor vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of spinal cord injuries, including collisions involving a distracted driver. Other causes include falls, workplace accidents, and acts of violence, such as knife wounds and gunshots.
Spinal cord injuries may also result from surgical errors by medical professionals, including a negligent surgeon, which can give rise to medical malpractice claims.
A spinal cord injury lawyer can investigate the circumstances of the incident, identify the cause of the spine injury, and determine who may be legally responsible.
The True Cost of a Spinal Cord Injury
The average lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury can reach up to $5 million in medical care and living expenses. Even at the lowest level of disability, costs can reach $1 million over a patient’s lifetime. In severe spinal cord injury cases, expenses may vary greatly depending on the extent of permanent paralysis and required care.
These costs extend beyond financial considerations. They include chronic pain, loss of independence, emotional suffering, and the long-term impact on personal relationships.
Factors affecting the value of a spinal cord injury claim include medical expenses, lost wages, age and health of the victim, and the strength of evidence against the responsible party.
Building a Strong Spinal Cord Injury Claim
Spinal cord injury attorneys in Phoenix assist with negotiations to pursue fair compensation. Hiring an attorney can prevent an insurance company from taking advantage of you by minimizing claims involving severe spinal cord injuries or catastrophic injuries.
A spinal cord injury attorney will review medical records, evaluate how the medical team treated the injury, and consult expert witnesses to project future medical needs. These projections may include assistive devices, occupational therapy, and long-term care planning.
Victims should seek representation promptly, as personal injury claims in Arizona are subject to a statute of limitations.
What to Look for When Choosing an SCI Lawyer in Phoenix
When choosing a spinal cord injury lawyer in Phoenix, look for proven experience handling severe cases involving spinal cord damage and permanent damage. A strong track record of high settlements or verdicts is important when selecting an SCI lawyer. To ensure specialized experience, choose lawyers who focus specifically on SCI and traumatic brain injury cases.
Medical and Vocational Specialists Expertise
Confirm that the law firm has the resources to hire vital experts, such as medical and vocational specialists. A spinal cord injury attorney will evaluate your medical records and consult expert witnesses to quantify your current and future medical bills.
Confirm if a senior attorney or a junior associate will be your primary point of contact. Clear communication, accessibility, and transparency about whether your case should be handled by a senior attorney or associate are critical considerations. Also, verify the bar license and look for relevant certifications or affiliations of the personal injury lawyer.
How a Phoenix Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Helps
A Phoenix spinal cord injury lawyer helps victims understand their legal rights and options for financial compensation. An attorney can investigate the incident, identify the at-fault party, and pursue accountability when negligence caused permanent damage.
Legal representation is especially important when spinal cord injuries lead to total paralysis, partial loss of function, or long-term complications that require extensive care.
FAQs About Phoenix Spinal Cord Injury Cases
What is the statute of limitations for spinal cord injury claims in Arizona?
In Arizona, you typically have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (A.R.S. § 12-542). However, if the injury was not discovered right away, the clock may start later. Your lawyer can determine the exact deadline in your case.
What if I were partially at fault for the accident?
Arizona follows a pure comparative fault system. You can still recover damages even if you were partly to blame, but your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault.
How much does it cost to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer?
At Gallagher & Kennedy, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your consultation is always free.
What should I do if a loved one can’t speak for themselves?
If a spinal cord injury leaves someone unable to make legal decisions, a family member can often act on their behalf through guardianship, conservatorship, or power of attorney. We’ll walk you through that process.
Are SCI claims different if caused by a medical professional?
Yes. If your spinal cord injury was caused by a medical error, your case may fall under medical malpractice law. These cases involve different standards and procedures. Our attorneys are equipped to handle both personal injury and medical malpractice claims.
Gallagher & Kennedy: Your Path Forward Starts Here
Spinal cord injuries change everything, but they do not eliminate your right to seek accountability. Gallagher & Kennedy represents individuals and families throughout Phoenix and Arizona facing spinal cord injuries caused by negligence.
If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury, you can request a confidential, free consultation to discuss your options and next steps. There is no obligation to move forward as our reputable SCI lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win.