Spinal cord injuries, or SCIs, are among the most debilitating types of personal injuries. Victims are often left with impaired mobility, which can affect their independence, their ability to earn a living, and their overall health and well-being. The consequences are so profound that the lifetime costs of even a comparatively minor SCI can be in the seven figures, to say nothing of their effect on a patient’s income.
Have you or someone you love suffered a spinal cord injury in Santa Ana, California? If someone else was to blame for what happened, they could owe you compensation for the many financial and personal consequences of the injury. The experienced personal injury lawyers with DJA Injury Lawyers are standing ready to assert your rights and demand every cent you need for your future well-being. Contact us today by calling (949) 229-7228, and a Santa Ana spinal cord injury lawyer with our firm will answer your questions during a free, no-obligation consultation.
Spinal Cord Injury Cases We Handle in Santa Ana
The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerve tissue extending from the base of the brain to the lower back and protected by the 33 bones of the vertebrae. Any damage to this delicate column can disrupt the neural messages carried back and forth from the brain to the rest of the body. This disruption can affect not just a patient’s mobility but also their autonomic nervous system—unconscious functions like breathing and heart rate that allow the body to function.
The exact consequences of a given SCI depend on two primary factors: where on the spinal column the damage occurred and how extensive that damage is. Medical professionals recognize two general types of spinal cord injuries:
- Incomplete injuries, in which the spinal cord is damaged but some nerve function remains below the site of injury
- Complete injuries, in which the damage to the spinal cord is extensive enough to prevent any nerve transmission below the site of injury
In addition to these types, doctors class SCIs based on the site of the injury as follows:
- Cervical spinal injuries happen in vertebrae C1 to C7, located in the neck and affecting signals to the head, neck, shoulders, arms, and diaphragm.
- Thoracic spinal injuries happen in vertebrae T1 to T12, located in the upper mid-back and affecting signals to the chest, back, and abdominal organs.
- Lumbar spinal injuries happen in vertebrae L1 to L5, located in the lower mid-back and affecting signals to the lower abdomen and back, buttocks, genital organs, and legs.
- Sacral spinal injuries happen in vertebrae S1 to S5, located in the lower back and affecting signals to the thighs, lower legs, and genitals.
Injuries to the upper portions of the spine are more likely to result in tetraplegia, or paralysis affecting all four limbs. Injuries to the lower portions of the spine are likelier to result in paraplegia, in which the trunk or lower appendages are paralyzed.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes states that the leading causes of spinal cord injuries (SCIs) in the U.S. are as follows:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls
- Acts of violence, particularly gunshot wounds and assaults
- Medical injuries
- Sports accidents
- Workplace/industrial mishaps
- Diseases and other medical conditions
If you or someone you love suffered an injury as the result of someone else’s careless, reckless, or deliberately harmful behavior, that person could owe you compensation. Unfortunately, the consequences of an SCI can make it hard to do anything beyond treating and adjusting to your injuries. Moreover, the person who hurt you will likely claim they were not at fault, and the insurance company handling your claim has a vested interest in paying you as little as possible. This could present serious problems in the future, as the long-term financial effects of an SCI are profound. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation estimates that:
- High tetraplegia costs an average of $1,064,716 to treat in the first year and $184,891 in each subsequent year
- Low tetraplegia costs an average of $769,351 to treat in the first year and $113,423 in each subsequent year
- Paraplegia costs an average of $418,904 to treat in the first year and $68,739 in each subsequent year
- An SCI resulting in incomplete motor function at any level costs an average of $347,484 to treat in the first year and $42,206 in each subsequent year
While these costs are profound, you do not have to face them alone. DJA Injury Lawyers can help you by investigating the incident that led to the SCI, determining everyone who could owe you compensation, and aggressively pursuing claims against each. Our goal is to recover maximum compensation on your behalf and not charge you a fee unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spinal Cord Injuries
Here are the answers to some of the questions our Santa Ana spinal cord injury lawyers are most frequently asked.
How Much Does a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Cost in Santa Ana?
At DJA Injury Lawyers, we know all too well how expensive the consequences of a spinal cord injury can be. That’s why we are committed to not adding to your financial worries right now. We’re prepared to take your case on contingency, which means you only pay us when we recover compensation on your behalf. That way, there’s no financial risk to asserting your rights.
How Long Do I Have to File My Spinal Cord Injury Claim?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of your spinal cord injury to bring suit. Medical malpractice claims are subject to different deadlines: three years from the date of the negligent medical care or one year from the date of discovering it. Don’t put your rights at risk by delaying. Contact a spinal cord injury lawyer in Santa Ana today.
What If I Was Partially to Blame for My Spinal Cord Injury?
Under California law, being partially at fault for your SCI does not prevent you from recovering compensation at trial. However, the court will reduce the compensation you recover in proportion to the percentage of fault it assigns you. This dynamic is why it is so important to work with an attorney who knows how to build a strong case that minimizes your share of fault and maximizes your financial recovery.
Get Help From Our Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury that someone else caused, contact DJA Injury Lawyers immediately for a free consultation. The sooner you call us at (949) 229-7228, the sooner we can start work on your case, and at no upfront cost to you.