Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries - Personal injury lawyers. No fee unless we win. Free consultation. Call (818) 514-7680.
California Personal Injury Legal Services
No-fee-unless-we-win personal injury representation across California. We handle car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries.
California Personal Injury Law
California follows pure comparative negligence (Civil Code). Two-year statute of limitations for personal injury, three years for property damage. We fight insurance companies to maximize your compensation.
Free case evaluation: (818) 514-7680.
Fees, Costs and Case Results
Where representation is offered on a contingency basis there is no attorney fee unless we recover, and the firm advances case costs — filing fees, expert witnesses and medical records — which are then repaid out of any recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. The specific terms that apply to a matter are set out in the written fee agreement for that matter.
Where this site refers to a verdict, settlement or court order, that result was dependent on the facts of that case, and results will differ if based on different facts. Past results do not predict or guarantee the outcome of any other matter, and no particular outcome is promised or guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a spinal cord injury and how does it affect the body?
- A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that results in temporary or permanent changes in its function. The spinal cord carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Depending on the location and severity, SCI can cause loss of muscle function, sensation, or autonomic function below the level of injury. Injuries to the cervical spine (neck) can cause quadriplegia affecting all four limbs, while thoracic or lumbar injuries may cause paraplegia affecting the legs and lower body.
- How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in California?
- California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including spinal cord injuries, starting from the date of the accident. For claims against government entities, you must file an administrative claim within six months. Given the complexity of spinal cord injury cases and the extensive medical documentation required, consulting an attorney early is critical to preserving your rights.
- What compensation can I recover for a spinal cord injury in California?
- California spinal cord injury victims may recover economic damages (medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, home modifications, adaptive equipment, lost wages, future lost earning capacity), non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium), and in cases of egregious conduct, punitive damages. There is no cap on personal injury damages in California spinal cord injury cases, and lifetime costs can reach $1.1M to $5.1M+.
- How much is a spinal cord injury case worth in California?
- Spinal cord injury case values vary significantly based on severity. Herniated disc cases may settle for $100,000-$500,000. Incomplete spinal cord injuries with partial paralysis can reach $500,000-$2 million. Complete paraplegia cases often exceed $2-5 million. Quadriplegia cases routinely result in $5-15 million or more in verdicts. The largest California SCI verdict was $113.4 million.
- Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer for my spinal cord injury?
- Absolutely not. Insurance companies routinely lowball spinal cord injury claims, often offering amounts that would not cover even a fraction of lifetime care costs. The average lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury ranges from $1.1 million (incomplete injury) to $5.1 million (high tetraplegia). Consult with a spinal cord injury attorney before accepting any offer.
- What is the difference between complete and incomplete spinal cord injury?
- A complete spinal cord injury results in total loss of motor and sensory function below the injury level. An incomplete injury means some function remains below the injury site. The ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) Impairment Scale classifies injuries from A (complete) to E (normal). Incomplete injuries generally have better recovery potential and different legal case values.
- Do I need a lawyer for a California spinal cord injury claim?
- Given the catastrophic nature of spinal cord injuries and the multi-million dollar lifetime costs involved, legal representation is essential. Spinal cord injury cases require expert witnesses (neurologists, life care planners, economists), extensive medical documentation, and aggressive negotiation. Victims with attorneys recover significantly more than those without, especially in catastrophic injury cases.
- What causes spinal cord injuries in California?
- In California, the leading causes of spinal cord injuries are: vehicle accidents (38.6%), falls (30.5%), acts of violence including gunshot wounds (13.5%), sports and recreation activities (8%), medical/surgical complications (4.2%), and other causes (5.2%). California's heavy freeway traffic and active outdoor lifestyle contribute to higher SCI rates than many other states.
- What is the average lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury?
- According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, average lifetime costs vary by injury severity. High tetraplegia (C1-C4): $5.1 million+ (age 25 at injury). Low tetraplegia (C5-C8): $3.7 million. Paraplegia: $2.5 million. Incomplete motor functional at any level: $1.7 million. These figures include healthcare, living expenses, and indirect costs like lost wages.
- How long does a spinal cord injury settlement take in California?
- Spinal cord injury cases typically take longer than average personal injury claims due to their complexity. Most cases take 1-3 years to resolve. It is important to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) before settling, which may take 12-18 months. Cases going to trial may take 2-4 years. The severity and lifetime implications make it crucial not to rush settlement.
- What are the levels of spinal cord injury?
- Spinal cord injuries are classified by vertebral level: Cervical (C1-C8) injuries affect the neck and can cause quadriplegia/tetraplegia. Thoracic (T1-T12) injuries affect the mid-back and typically cause paraplegia. Lumbar (L1-L5) injuries affect the lower back and may cause varying leg weakness. Sacral (S1-S5) injuries affect the pelvis and may impact bladder, bowel, and sexual function.
- Can I sue for pain and suffering from a spinal cord injury?
- Yes. California allows spinal cord injury victims to recover substantial pain and suffering damages. Given the life-altering nature of paralysis, pain and suffering awards in SCI cases are typically the largest component of compensation. There is no statutory cap on pain and suffering in spinal cord injury cases in California. Juries have awarded tens of millions in non-economic damages for catastrophic spinal injuries.
Contact Trembach Law Firm
Trembach Law Firm, APC
27001 Agoura Road, Suite 350, Calabasas, CA 91301
Phone: (818) 514-7680
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