Catastrophic Injuries That Change Lives Forever

A spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating things that can happen to a person. In a single moment—a car crash, a fall, a diving accident—the ability to walk, to feel, to control basic bodily functions can be permanently lost. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of a spinal cord injury is immense, and it extends to every member of the injured person’s family. When these injuries are caused by someone else’s negligence, the law provides a path to hold them accountable.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are classified as complete or incomplete. A complete injury means total loss of motor and sensory function below the level of injury. An incomplete injury means some function is preserved. The location of the injury on the spinal column determines the extent of the disability: cervical injuries to the neck can result in quadriplegia, affecting all four limbs and potentially requiring ventilator assistance, thoracic injuries to the mid-back can result in paraplegia, affecting the legs and lower body, and lumbar and sacral injuries can cause partial paralysis and loss of bowel and bladder control.

Lifetime Costs of a Spinal Cord Injury

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center estimates that the lifetime costs of a spinal cord injury can range from $1.2 million to $5.1 million or more, depending on the severity and the age of the person at the time of injury. These costs include emergency and surgical care, ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation and physical therapy, wheelchair and mobility equipment, home modifications for accessibility, in-home nursing and personal care assistance, and adaptive vehicles and transportation. These figures do not include lost wages or the incalculable cost of lost independence, relationships, and quality of life.

Compensation Available

Spinal cord injury claims seek to recover the full lifetime cost of the injury, including all medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost income and future earning capacity, home and vehicle modifications, assistive technology and equipment, in-home care, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium for the injured person’s spouse, and wrongful death damages in fatal cases.

Spinal cord injury cases require a legal team that understands the true scope of what has been lost. Beverly Wilshire Law APC can work with medical experts and life care planners to build a case that reflects the full impact on your life and your family’s future. Call (310) 424-5566 or email info@bevwilshire.com for a free consultation—we’re here to guide you in the right direction.