A spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating and life-altering traumas a person can experience. In an instant, the simple activities you once took for granted — walking, driving, holding a loved one’s hand — may become challenging or impossible. Beyond the physical limitations, the financial burden of medical care, rehabilitation, and lost income can quickly become overwhelming, creating a perfect storm of physical, emotional, and economic distress.
At Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP, our San Mateo spinal cord injury lawyers understand the profound effects these injuries have on every aspect of your life. With over four decades of experience protecting the rights of seriously injured individuals throughout California, CHM Law Firm has secured multimillion-dollar recoveries for our clients.
Our professional, aggressive, and knowledgeable attorneys are ready to seek the justice you deserve at this challenging time. Contact our spinal cord injury law firm today to get started with a free, no-obligation consultation and discuss your legal options.
Why You Should Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in San Mateo for Your Case
After a person suffers a spine injury, insurance companies often move quickly to make a settlement offer. While the figure might seem substantial at first glance, these initial offers rarely account for the true lifetime costs of spinal cord injuries. Without proper legal representation, you might not know how to calculate or fight for what you actually need and deserve for your future care.
Hiring a San Mateo spinal cord injury attorney provides critical advantages, including the following:
- Medical Knowledge – We work with top medical experts to understand the complex medical aspects of spinal cord injuries and document your condition thoroughly.
- Resource Network – We can connect you with leading specialists, rehabilitation centers, and support services.
- Accurate Valuation – We will calculate the true lifetime costs of your injury, including decades of future care needs.
- Evidence Preservation – We will gather and protect crucial evidence before it disappears, as well as secure eyewitness testimony while memories remain fresh.
- Skilled Negotiation – We know how to negotiate effectively to keep insurance companies from taking advantage of you.
The trial-tested attorneys at CHM Law Firm build every spine injury case as if it will go to court, so we will be ready for litigation if the insurer refuses to offer you the settlement you deserve.
It is worth noting that our team of spinal injury lawyers takes on a limited number of cases, as we want to dedicate significant attention to your situation. This means you can rest assured that we are fighting for you to the best of our ability.
What Compensation Can I Pursue for a Spinal Cord Injury?
A successful claim can provide substantial compensation for current and future needs. Our team can help you recover spine injury compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, modified vehicles, and home modifications
- Long-term care, if needed
- Lost income from missed time at work
- Diminished future earning capacity if your injuries affect your long-term ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Our back injury lawyers know how to work tirelessly to secure the full compensation you deserve.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Back Injury from a Car Accident?
While every case is unique, understanding the range of potential settlements can help set realistic expectations. The average settlement for a car accident back injury varies widely based on several factors, including the severity of your injury. Settlements for minor strains might range from $10,000 to $25,000, while settlements for severe spinal cord injuries often reach into the millions. More extensive medical treatment generally supports higher settlements.
The injury’s impact on your ability to work can also affect the ultimate settlement amount. A greater loss of income tends to lead to higher compensation in a spine injury claim.
Available insurance policy limits can affect settlement amounts as well, and higher settlements usually result when liability is clear-cut. However, each case is unique, and our attorneys can provide a realistic assessment of your situation during your consultation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit in California?
Strict deadlines apply to injury claims in California. You generally have two years from the date of injury to file a spine injury lawsuit. However, some exceptions apply. For example, if your case involves a government entity, you must file a formal claim within six months. Medical malpractice claims have a one-year deadline from the discovery of the injury or three years from the date of injury, whichever occurs first.
Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to recover compensation, so be sure to contact our firm promptly after an injury to protect your legal rights.
What Are Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?
Understanding the cause of your injury helps identify liable parties and strengthen your claim. The more typical causes include the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents (the leading cause of spinal cord injuries)
- Falls (particularly in construction, workplace settings, and among older adults)
- Sports and recreation injuries
- Acts of violence
- Medical malpractice (e.g., surgical errors, anesthesia mistakes, and birth injuries)
- Defective products
As spinal cord injury lawyers in San Mateo, we have extensive experience handling cases arising from these and other causes and are ready to help you secure the compensation you need.
What Are the Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal cord injuries are classified by both location and completeness:
- Complete injuries involve total sensory and motor function loss below the injury level.
- Incomplete injuries leave some function remaining below the injury level.
Common classifications include the following:
- Tetraplegia (quadriplegia) affects all four limbs, typically from cervical injuries.
- Paraplegia affects the lower limbs, typically from thoracic or lumbar injuries.
- Anterior cord syndrome involves damage to the front of the spinal cord, affecting motor function.
- Central cord syndrome involves damage to the center of the cord, often affecting the upper limbs more than the lower limbs.
- Brown-Séquard syndrome is when one side of the cord is damaged, causing ipsilateral (same-side) motor weakness and contralateral (opposite-side) sensory loss.
Associated conditions often include the following:
- Herniated disk (displacement of spinal cushioning that can compress nerves)
- Spinal fractures, which may damage the spinal cord itself
- Spinal contusions (bruising), which can cause temporary or permanent damage
Our attorneys can work with medical experts to understand the specific nature of your injury and its implications for your future.
What Are the Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?
Symptoms vary based on injury severity and location but may include the following:
- Loss of movement or paralysis
- Loss of sensation, including the ability to feel heat, cold, and touch
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Exaggerated reflex activities or spasms
- Pain or intense stinging sensation caused by damage to nerve fibers
- Difficulty breathing, coughing, or clearing phlegm from the lungs
- Changes in sexual function, sensitivity, and fertility
A neck injury may present different symptoms than a lower spinal injury. Always seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms after a traumatic event.
What Are Treatment Options for a Spinal Cord Injury?
While there is currently no way to reverse spinal cord damage, the following treatment can focus on preventing further injury and enabling maximum recovery:
- Emergency care concentrates on immobilization and stabilization to prevent additional damage.
- Surgery may be required to remove bone fragments, foreign objects, herniated disks, or fractured vertebrae.
- Medication may be prescribed for pain management, reducing inflammation, and preventing complications.
- Physical therapy can help maintain and strengthen muscle function.
- Assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, computer adaptations, and electronic aids, can allow you to navigate your professional environment and personal life.
Our attorneys can help you seek the financial resources necessary to access the best available treatments and ongoing care.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury?
Spinal cord injuries often result in lifelong challenges, including the following:
- Mobility limitations
- Chronic pain
- Breathing difficulties and increased pneumonia risk
- Problems with blood pressure, body temperature regulation, and sweating
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction, requiring specialized management techniques
- Sexual dysfunction, which can affect fertility
- Psychological impacts, including depression, anxiety, and adjustment challenges
- Secondary health complications, such as pressure sores, urinary tract infections, and respiratory issues
- Financial strain from ongoing medical expenses and lost income
- Relationship challenges with partners and family members
These long-term effects underscore the importance of securing compensation that accounts for lifetime needs, not just immediate medical expenses.
