At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we understand the profound impact a spinal cord injury can have on your life. Even what seems like a minor injury to the neck or back can lead to chronic pain and significant challenges. As your Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyers, we are here to seek justice for you.
Spinal cord injuries are often categorized as “catastrophic” because they can lead to permanent disability or paralysis. Unlike other body tissues, the spinal cord doesn’t regenerate, meaning the effects can be lifelong and require ongoing care and support.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, our experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyers can help hold the responsible party accountable. Let our family take care of your family in this overwhelming time.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) involve damage to the nerves that run from the brain down the spine, often due to direct trauma or harm to surrounding tissues. Our attorneys recognize the serious, life-altering impact these injuries can have and are here to help you seek justice.
SCI symptoms can range from loss of muscle function and motor coordination to, in more severe cases, paralysis. When another party’s negligence causes such injuries, pursuing a personal injury case may be necessary to address the resulting hardships.
Our team is committed to helping you through the confusing legal process, fighting for your rights, and providing the guidance you need—every single step of the way.
Areas of Life Affected by Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can have a profound impact on daily life and body functions. As the link between the brain and the body, the spinal cord plays a critical role in controlling movement, sensation, and several essential functions. When injured, it can disrupt these areas in ways that may require ongoing care and support.
Spinal cord damage may affect:
- Bowel and bladder control: Injuries can impact the body’s ability to manage waste, requiring lifestyle adjustments.
- Motor skills and muscle movement: Coordination and strength may be reduced, affecting independence in daily activities.
- Breathing: Higher spinal injuries may impact lung function, making respiratory support necessary.
- Sexual health and function: Changes in sensation and function can affect intimacy and reproductive health.
- Sensory perception: Injuries may limit the body’s ability to sense touch, temperature, and pain.
Each spinal cord injury is unique, and its effects depend on the location and extent of the damage, influencing everything from mobility to personal care.
How Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries Differ
Spinal cord injuries are generally classified as either complete or incomplete, each impacting the body differently. In a complete injury, all nerve signals are blocked below the injury site, leading to a loss of both sensation and movement, often resulting in full paralysis below the affected area.
In cases of incomplete spinal cord injury, some nerve pathways remain functional past the point of injury. This allows for some sensation, movement, and muscle function below the injury, although the extent can vary.
If you or a loved one is facing these challenges, a Los Angeles spinal cord injury attorney can provide the support needed to seek justice and explore the resources available to assist in your recovery journey.
Spinal Cord Injury Levels
In spinal cord injury cases, the level of injury along the spine determines the areas affected. A higher injury often leads to greater loss of function, as the injury interrupts the body’s messaging system at and below the damaged site.
Understanding these levels is crucial in managing recovery and care in catastrophic injury cases.
Spinal Regions Explained
- Cervical (head and neck): Injuries here are the most critical, often affecting all limbs and possibly even breathing.
- Thoracic (upper chest and mid–back): While upper body function is typically preserved, injuries here may impact trunk control and balance.
- Lumbar (hips and legs): Injuries often affect mobility in the lower body, with many requiring braces or wheelchairs.
- Sacral (hips, thighs, and pelvis): Individuals may still walk with these injuries, though some function and sensation can be impacted.
For those facing the challenges of a catastrophic injury, we’re here to provide support and guidance every step of the way.
Paraplegia
Paraplegia results from spinal cord injuries in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions, leading to leg paralysis and, in some cases, affecting the lower body and arms.
Depending on the injury’s location, paraplegia can impact chest and abdominal muscles, which may make breathing more difficult.
- L3 to S5: Incomplete paraplegia is common, potentially impacting bladder and bowel control. Assisted walking may still be achievable.
- L1 to L2: Walking is unlikely, but chest and abdominal muscles remain unaffected.
- T7 to T12: Core strength is impacted due to affected abdominal muscles.
- T1 to T6: Paralysis of hips and legs with no control over bowel or urinary function. Breathing and coughing may be impaired.
Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia)
Quadriplegia, often from cervical spine injuries, is the most serious spinal cord injury type, impacting all limbs and the body below the neck. For spinal cord injury victims, the higher the injury, the greater the need for comprehensive medical care.
- C1 to C2: Complete paralysis of breathing muscles, requiring ventilation.
- C3 to C4: Some control of breathing muscles may remain.
- C4 to C8: Potential retention of some arm and hand sensation and function.
Each spinal cord injury case is unique, and our Los Angeles spinal cord injury attorneys are here to support you and your loved ones through this challenging journey.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can arise from a range of situations, and depending on the circumstances, negligent parties may be held accountable.
These injuries often result from direct trauma to the spine, impacting a victim’s life in many profound ways.
Typical causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Spinal cord injuries frequently occur in car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents.
- Workplace accidents and construction accidents: High-risk environments, especially in construction, may lead to spinal injuries due to falls or heavy equipment incidents.
- Acts of violence: Assaults, physical altercations, and similar acts can result in severe spinal injuries.
- Gunshot wounds: Gun violence is a serious cause of spinal cord damage, often leading to lifelong impacts.
- Sports injuries: Contact sports and extreme sports can lead to spinal injuries due to falls or impacts.
If you or a loved one has experienced an SCI due to these or other causes, we’re here to help you pursue justice and accountability.
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Damages in Spinal Cord Injury Cases
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, pursuing legal action may help you seek financial compensation from the responsible party. This compensation can cover necessary medical expenses and other losses, both economic and non-economic, to help restore stability and support.
Common types of compensation in spinal injury cases include:
- Medical expenses: Current and future bills, including hospitalization, surgeries, and ongoing care.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation: Costs related to recovery support, counseling, and rehabilitation needs.
- Lost income and earning capacity: Wages lost due to injury and any reduced ability to work.
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress: Compensation for physical pain and the mental impact, including loss of enjoyment of life.
Spouses may also pursue compensation if the injury has affected companionship, intimacy, or emotional support in their relationship.
In cases of gross negligence, additional punitive damages may be awarded to hold the responsible party accountable.
How a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles Can Help
Spinal cord injury cases can be challenging, involving various aspects like liability, damages, and personal injury claims. We know that managing these details can feel overwhelming, especially while dealing with medical bills and recovery.
Our team is here to provide compassionate support and professional guidance every step of the way.
Here’s how we assist in your case:
- Reviewing injury details: Carefully analyzing the facts to understand the circumstances of the injury.
- Compiling information and facts: Identifying applicable laws that strengthen your claim.
- Collecting key records: Gathering essential medical records, expert testimonies, and witness statements.
- Pursuing maximum compensation: Negotiating with insurance companies to secure the highest possible recovery.
Our goal is to handle the legal nuances so you can focus on healing and spending time with loved ones.
Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injuries
In California, the statute of limitations for filing a spinal cord injury claim is typically two years from the date of the injury. This deadline applies to most personal injury cases, including those involving severe spinal trauma.
If the injury wasn’t immediately detectable, the statute of limitations may begin from the date it was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. This extension allows time for injuries that may not show symptoms right away.
However, certain cases, such as those involving government entities, may have shorter filing deadlines. Acting quickly is essential to protect your claim and secure the chance to pursue rightful compensation.
Proving Negligence in a Spinal Cord Injury Case
In spinal cord injury cases, proving negligence means showing that the defendant had a duty of care, failed to uphold that duty through their actions or inactions, and that this directly caused your injury.
Additionally, it must be clear that you’ve suffered actual damages as a result of the injury. With the help of our Los Angeles spinal cord injury attorneys, you don’t need to handle all of these details on your own.
Our legal team may use several types of evidence to build a strong case, including:
- Medical records and expert opinions
- Accident reports and witness accounts
- Photos or surveillance footage from the scene
- Documentation of lost wages and financial impact
Determining who is liable depends on the circumstances of the injury. For example, in a car accident, the negligent driver may be responsible, while in a workplace incident, an employer could be held accountable if unsafe conditions contributed to the injury.
Our Los Angeles spinal cord injury attorneys are dedicated to identifying the liable parties and pursuing fair compensation for your losses.
Moving Forward With a Los Angeles Spinal Cord Injury Attorney
At Omega Law Group, our team is committed to helping clients pursue justice and recover what they need to move forward after a catastrophic spinal cord injury. With a proven track record of recovering millions of dollars, we are here to stand by you.
A Los Angeles spinal cord injury lawyer can help you understand your rights, gather necessary evidence, and pursue claims against responsible parties. We handle the legal details so that you can focus on healing and rebuilding.
Contact Omega Law Group today to discuss your case. Let us put our experience to work for you and help you take the next steps with confidence and peace of mind.
