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, a Phoenix spinal cord injury lawyer may be the next call you need to make.
Gallagher & Kennedy can help you pursue the compensation needed to cover long-term or lifetime care, lost income, and the many invisible costs that come with a devastating injury. We take on the most serious injury cases in Arizona, including challenging cases that other firms turn away. Our trial-tested attorneys handle everything so that you don’t have to figure out the legal system on your own. You focus on recovery. We’ll handle the fight.
Key Takeaways
- A spinal cord injury affects far more than movement—it can reshape every part of life, from independence to financial security.
- The true impact of an SCI may not be immediately visible, making early legal and medical assessments critical.
- Every injury requires a long-view approach, with future care, income loss, and quality of life all factored into the legal strategy.
- Early legal intervention allows for stronger case development, especially when multiple parties or complex causes are involved.
- Insurance offers often undervalue what it takes to live with a spinal cord injury—accepting too early can jeopardize your future.
- A spinal cord injury lawyer provides more than legal support—they create a path forward when everything feels uncertain.
Why Hire Gallagher & Kennedy for a Spinal Cord Injury Case?
Serious injuries demand serious legal representation. At Gallagher & Kennedy, we’ve spent more than four decades fighting for those who suffer the most severe consequences of negligence. Our reputation is built on integrity, outcomes, and unwavering support for our clients.
Our experience runs deep
With over 275 years of combined experience, our attorneys know what it takes to win complex, high-value spinal cord injury cases. We’re one of Arizona’s largest personal injury law firms and have secured life-changing results across the country.
We handle catastrophic injuries that other firms turn down
Spinal cord injuries are complicated. Many firms don’t have the resources or experience to handle them. We do. We’ve built a reputation for taking cases that are too large, technical, or challenging for others to pursue.
We build every case like it’s going to trial
From day one, we prepare each spinal cord injury claim as if it will be presented to a jury. That thoroughness gives us more leverage during settlement negotiations and allows us to hold the at-fault party fully accountable.
We collaborate with top medical and economic experts
Valuing your future costs requires specialized insight. We work closely with life care planners, vocational experts, neurologists, and economists to calculate the full extent of your past, present, and future losses.
We only get paid if we win
You won’t pay anything up front. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means we only collect legal fees if we recover compensation for you. There’s no financial risk in reaching out for help.
We bring the resources of a major law firm, with the heart of a local team
Our clients benefit from national-caliber legal strength and local, deeply personal service. Every client receives individualized attention and direct communication from their lawyer.
The Lasting Impact of Spinal Cord Damage
Your spinal cord is the main communication highway between your brain and your body. When it's damaged by trauma, disease, or compression, electrical signals can no longer travel normally, leading to partial or full paralysis, sensory loss, and organ dysfunction.
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are often permanent. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), approximately 18,000 new cases occur in the U.S. every year. While some cases arise from medical conditions like degenerative disc disease or autoimmune attacks on the spinal canal, the majority of cases stem from traumatic incidents and accidents.
Once damaged, the spinal cord doesn't regenerate. That’s why even a seemingly small impact can cause devastating consequences. Recovery may require multiple surgeries, assistive devices, and lifelong care—and that comes at a cost most families cannot manage alone.
What Causes Most Spinal Cord Injuries in Phoenix?
Most spinal cord injuries are caused by preventable accidents. In Phoenix and throughout Arizona, certain types of trauma appear more frequently in spinal cord injury claims.
- Motor vehicle accidents: Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes account for nearly half of all SCIs. High-speed collisions often fracture vertebrae or cause direct trauma to the spinal canal.
- Medical negligence: A missed infection, delayed diagnosis, or surgical error can turn a treatable condition into permanent paralysis if a negligent surgeon damages the spinal cord.
- Workplace accidents: Construction site falls, equipment malfunctions, and unsafe conditions can all lead to catastrophic injuries in occupational settings.
- Falls from height or slips: Especially dangerous for older adults, falls can cause compression injuries or dislocations that sever or pinch spinal nerves.
- Violent acts: Knife wounds and gunshot injuries can penetrate the spine, leaving victims with permanent damage and limited options for recovery.
If your injury was caused by a distracted driver, a dangerous fall, medical malpractice, or something else stemming from negligence, a spinal cord injury lawyer can help determine who is liable and how to pursue compensation
Different Types of Spinal Cord Injuries and What They Mean for You
Spinal cord injuries are typically classified by their location and severity. The higher up the injury occurs, the more of the body it affects.
Cervical spinal cord injuries
These injuries occur near the neck and are the most severe. They often result in quadriplegia (paralysis from the neck down) and may impair breathing, bladder control, and speech.
Thoracic spinal cord injuries
These injuries impact the mid-to-upper back and often affect the chest and abdominal muscles. While arm function may remain, leg movement is usually limited or lost.
Lumbar spinal cord injuries
Located in the lower back, these injuries often cause partial or full loss of function in the hips and legs. Many victims require walking aids or wheelchairs.
Sacral spinal cord injuries
These are lower spine injuries affecting the pelvis and buttocks. Some victims retain leg movement but experience issues with bladder, bowel, or sexual function.
Each injury requires unique medical treatment and rehabilitation planning. A spinal cord injury lawyer can work with your medical team to document the full impact and connect it to the negligent actions that caused the injury.
Complications You May Face After a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries affect far more than mobility. Many complications develop in the days, weeks, and months after the injury. These can impact nearly every aspect of life.
- Loss of bladder and bowel control: Many SCI patients require catheterization or surgical interventions to manage waste elimination.
- Chronic pain: Nerve damage often leads to pain that can persist even with medication.
- Infections and pressure sores: Limited mobility increases the risk of skin breakdown and other secondary infections.
- Breathing difficulties: High cervical injuries may impair lung function, requiring ventilator support.
- Emotional and psychological impacts: Depression, PTSD, and anxiety are common following an SCI.
These complications often result in additional medical care, home modifications, and personal care assistance, which may be compensable under a personal injury lawsuit.
Building Your SCI Case: What Makes Someone Legally Responsible?
In Arizona, spinal cord injury claims rely on one key principle: negligence. If someone acted carelessly or failed to act when they had a duty to do so, and that failure caused your injury, they may be held legally and financially accountable.
Here’s what a spinal cord injury lawyer must prove to build a strong negligence case:
Duty of care
The other party must have had a legal duty to act responsibly. For example, drivers must obey traffic laws and doctors must provide a reasonable standard of medical care.
Breach of duty
You’ll need to show that the responsible party violated that duty. A driver who ran a red light or a surgeon who damaged the spinal cord during a routine procedure may meet this standard.
Causation
This connects the dots. Your lawyer must prove that the other party’s actions directly caused your spinal cord injury and not some unrelated condition.
Damages
Finally, you must have measurable losses. These can include medical bills, future care costs, lost income, and physical and emotional pain.
When these elements align, the injured party has grounds to pursue a spinal cord injury claim in Arizona civil court.
What Could My Spinal Cord Injury Claim Be Worth?
Every spinal cord injury claim is unique, but they are often among the highest-value personal injury cases due to the extent of care required. A strong case will account for current and future needs, not just the costs already incurred.
Economic damages
These are the measurable financial losses tied to your injury.
- Hospital and surgery bills
- Long-term rehabilitation
- Medical devices, wheelchairs, and home modifications
- Lost income and reduced future earning potential
- Transportation and home care assistance
Non-economic damages
These capture the intangible human toll of your injury.
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship and intimacy
Punitive damages
Rare but possible, these may apply if the at-fault party acted with gross negligence or intentional harm. For instance, if a company knowingly put dangerous equipment into circulation or a trucking company hired a driver with a record of drug, alcohol, and traffic violations, punitive damages may apply to punish that behavior.
Properly valuing your claim takes time, input from expert witnesses, and a full picture of your prognosis. Our spinal cord injury attorneys handle this with meticulous care so you can focus on recovery, not paperwork.
Why You Shouldn’t Deal With the Insurance Company Alone
It’s tempting to accept an early settlement when you’re staring down six or seven figures in medical bills. But spinal cord injuries come with lifetime costs, and insurance companies are not on your side.
Insurance adjusters are trained to settle cases quickly and for as little as possible. They may minimize your injuries, challenge your prognosis, or blame pre-existing conditions. Once you accept their offer, you waive the right to seek more money, even if new complications arise.
Letting a spinal cord injury lawyer take over protects your claim and prevents you from being pressured into an unfair deal. We deal with insurance companies every day. We know how they operate, and we know how to push back.
Steps to Protect Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim
If you’re already receiving medical treatment, you’re doing the right thing. But medical care alone isn’t enough to protect the value of your claim. There are several other steps that can help strengthen your case while you focus on recovery.
- Hire a lawyer immediately: Legal deadlines apply, and evidence can disappear quickly. Having an attorney on your side from the start gives you the strongest foundation.
- Keep all medical appointments: Insurance companies often challenge claims based on missed or irregular treatment. Show that you’re taking your recovery seriously.
- Journal your symptoms and struggles: Whether in writing or video, document your daily pain, limitations, and emotions. This can serve as compelling evidence of your non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
- Preserve any physical evidence: Save damaged clothing, take photos of your injuries, or store any defective product involved in the accident.
- Avoid discussing the injury publicly: Comments made online or on social media can be used against you. Let your lawyer handle all communications.
None of these steps requires perfection. What matters is that you take your injury seriously and let your attorney focus on holding the liable parties accountable.
How a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Supports Your Case
After a catastrophic injury, legal advocacy is more than paperwork. It’s protection. It’s planning. And it’s relief from some of the pressure during the hardest time of your life.
Here’s what your Phoenix spinal cord injury lawyer will do for you:
- Investigate the accident and identify all liable parties
- Collect and preserve key evidence, including surveillance footage and medical records
- Consult with expert witnesses to document your prognosis and needs
- Calculate the full extent of damages, including future costs
- Handle all contact and negotiation with the insurance company
- Prepare a strong case for trial, if necessary
- Keep you informed and supported at every stage
At Gallagher & Kennedy, our Phoenix spinal cord injury lawyers take a hands-on role in every spinal cord injury case. You can expect direct access to the lawyer leading your claim and the confidence of knowing your case is always in experienced hands.
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 was 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 don’t erase your right to seek justice. If you or someone you love suffered a spinal cord injury because of someone else’s actions, you don’t have to handle the legal side alone. We’re here to take that weight off your shoulders.
At Gallagher & Kennedy, our staff of dedicated Phoenix personal injury lawyers fight for fair compensation in every case, backed by decades of success in high-stakes injury claims. We serve clients across Phoenix, Arizona, and beyond, and we do it with compassion, strength, and skill.
Call our Phoenix office at (602) 530-8400 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. There’s no risk to learn more, and no fee unless we win.