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Spinal Injury Attorney in Southern California

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Filing a Personal Injury Claim in California

A spinal cord injury is a serious and life-altering injury resulting in paralysis, loss of sensation, and other complications. The severity of the injuries depends on several factors, including the type of trauma that caused it, the extent of damage to the spinal cord, and whether or not treatment was provided quickly enough. Spinal cord injuries occur from various accidents, including car crashes and more. If you have been hurt due to another person’s negligence, a spinal injury attorney from our firm can help. Our lawyers are dedicated to providing legal representation for victims of spinal cord injuries throughout Southern California. A Southern California spinal injury attorney can fight for damages on your behalf.

Common Examples of Spinal Injury

There are two main types of spinal cord injuries: complete and incomplete. Both may be serious, requiring medical care, but the difference between them is crucial for recovery.

Complete Spinal Cord Injuries

A complete spinal cord injury means no feeling or movement below the point where the injury occurred (paraplegia) or paralysis of all four limbs (quadriplegia). Some patients may regain some ability over time as they recover from surgery. The extent of recovery varies according to age and overall health at the time of injury, among other things.

Incomplete Spinal Injury

This is when the spinal cord is damaged, but there is some function below the level of injuries, such as muscle weakness or partial paralysis. The body and brain can still communicate along certain pathways. Incomplete injuries may improve over time with therapy and recovery.

There are three main types of spinal injuries, including:  

Anterior Cord Syndrome

This type of injury affects upper motor neuron pathways and interrupts communication between the brain and muscles in the arms and hands. It occurs when there is damage to the front part of your spinal cord (called the anterior horn). This can cause weakness or paralysis in one or both arms, but not both legs. The best treatment for this condition is physical therapy, strengthening affected muscles.

Central Cord Syndrome

Damage to this artery causes damage to the center portion of the spinal cord while leaving the lateral portions intact. This usually results in numbness or tingling and loss of motor function below the injury level. In some cases, there may also be loss of sensation and bowel or bladder control below the injury level.

Brown-Sequard Syndrome

This is a rare type of damage to the spinal cord that results from trauma or surgery on one side of the body. A lesion occurs in one hemisphere of the spinal cord and causes weakness or paralysis on that side of the body. The other hemisphere is unaffected by this injury.

Situations That Can Cause Spinal Injuries

Spinal injuries can range from mild to severe, and the prognosis depends on the type, severity, and location of the injury. Spinal cord injuries affect nearly 906 per million Americans each year. Several kinds of accidents can cause spinal injuries, including:

Possible Liabilities

The first step in determining liability for a spinal cord injury is whether someone’s negligence caused the injury. For example, if you were injured in an auto accident, the driver could be held liable for your injuries. 

Here are some possible liabilities in the case of spinal injuries: 

Product Liability

If a product has defective design, manufacturing, or labeling and someone is injured due to that defect, then the victim may have a viable product liability claim. In this case, the victim can seek compensation for their medical expenses and other damages associated with their injury.

Doctor’s Negligence

Doctors may be found negligent if they have not followed accepted standards of care or if they have not properly diagnosed the patient’s injuries. In some cases, a doctor’s negligence could lead to serious injuries like paralysis and even wrongful death. 

Employer’s Negligence

Employer negligence often involves construction workers who have been injured while working with heavy machinery or other dangerous tools. In some cases, an employer may be held liable if they fail to provide adequate training or proper safety equipment for the employees while working on a project.

Negligent Driver

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. If you were injured by another person’s negligence in an accident, that driver may be liable for any damages that resulted from the accident.

How Can a Southern California Spinal Injury Lawyer Help?

Our law firm has rich experience in helping victims of personal injury cases. Our spinal cord injury attorneys have a proven track record of success. We limit our overall caseload so we can better focus on each case individually. We offer free consultations to fully understand your situation before offering solid legal advice on your claim. We are a full-service law firm that can handle all aspects of litigation from start to finish. A Southern California spinal injury lawyer can devote individual attention to your case, helping you pursue damages, including:
  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages
  • Emotional distress

Statute of Limitations

In California, you have two years from the date of the injury (or when you reasonably should have discovered it) to file a claim against the person responsible for causing it( CCP § 335.1). This includes personal injury, wrongful death, nursing home abuse, and product liability. For medical malpractice claims, you have up to three years (CCP § 340.5).

We Can Help With Personal Injury in South California

If you have been injured in Southern California, a personal injury lawyer from our firm can help. Our lawyers at KJT Law Group can work with you to develop the best possible strategy for your case. Our goal is to help you pursue the fairest compensation there is under the law. Call us today at (818) 507-8525 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
If you or someone you love was injured due to another person’s negligence, contact KJT Law Group at (818) 507-8525 for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.

We Will Fight For You

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