Philadelphia Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

The spinal cord consists of a network connecting the brain to the system of nerves throughout the body, controlling movement and feeling. When the spinal cord is injured, it can be debilitating. The central functionality of the spinal cord means damage to the area can negatively affect various muscles and organs. The level of harm caused by a spinal cord injury results in costly medical bills, as well as debt accrued due to an inability to work.

Our spinal cord injury attorneys at Golomb Legal understand the stressors a spinal cord injury can bring — rehabilitation, limited mobility, and the associated costs are overwhelming. Our background in handling spinal cord injury cases can provide the confidence you need to focus on recovery.

On This Page

• Types of Spinal Cord Injuries and Symptoms
• Forms of Paralysis
• Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
• Damages in Spinal Cord Injury Claims
• Frequently Asked Questions
  • What’s the most common spinal cord complication?
  • How long does it take to recover from a spinal cord injury?
  • What are five common signs of a spinal cord injury?

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries and Symptoms

A spinal cord injury can range from mild to severe. A mild injury might only bruise the soft tissues surrounding the spine. A severe injury might severe the spinal cord and connective nerves, though, which can cause an immediate and permanent loss of organ and limb function called paralysis. Depending on the affected nerves, sensation in the skin or pain receptors may be decreased.

Signs of a mild or moderate spinal cord injury include:

• Pain or numbness in the head, neck, or back
• Impaired balance
• Breathing difficulties
• Reduced mobility

Forms of Paralysis

Paralysis is often considered the worst possible consequence of a spinal cord injury. Even in the mildest of cases, paralysis can cause constant discomfort and debilitation in day-to-day tasks and actions.

Paralysis is categorized in four forms:

• Temporary: Paralysis that can improve with time and treatment is considered temporary. Physical therapy is often the most effective form to improve temporary paralysis and gradually restore mobility, range of motion, and bodily functions.
• Permanent: Paralysis that is not expected to improve with any type of treatment or any amount of time is considered permanent. Patients with permanent paralysis will need to make accommodations based on the body parts affected by the paralysis.
• Partial: Paralysis that affects a body part or organ but doesn’t completely remove its functionality is considered partial. For example, partial paralysis of an arm might feel like a constant numbness or muscular weakness.
• Total: Paralysis that affects a body part and removes all functionality of it is considered total. For example, total paralysis of both legs will remove the ability to walk, requiring a wheelchair.

Total permanent paralysis (TPP) is the most severe form of paralysis. We focus on handling catastrophic and life-changing injury claims, such as TPP cases. Trust our firm first if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with paralysis of any form, including TPP.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are typically caused by particularly violent accidents that result in strong impacts to the back, neck, and head.

Accidents that are often cited as the cause of spinal cord injuries include:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Work-related accidents
• Sports accidents

Spinal cord injuries can also be caused by medical malpractice, such as conducting unsafe back surgery that harms the spinal cord. Some birth injuries can affect the spinal cord, too, such as if a doctor pulls too harshly on a child’s head and neck during delivery.

Damages in Spinal Cord Injury Claims

The severe consequences caused by a spinal cord injury often add up to steep losses and damages suffered by the patient. It is not unusual for those damages to reach six or seven figures when considering them across the rest of the patient’s or claimant’s life. Spinal cord injury claim defendants and their insurers will fight the claim rigorously to avoid being held responsible for such a significant amount of compensation.

We know how to fight for compensation that helps pay for:

• All past and future medical costs, even years into the future.
• Specialized treatments to regain some mobility or bodily function.
• Pain, suffering, and traumatization.
• Loss of mobility and independence.
• Lost wages and income earning capacity.
• Reduced enjoyment of life or life expectancy.

Our Philadelphia spinal cord injury attorneys know how to negotiate to reach a settlement that doesn’t require expensive and extensive litigation. Settlements are often preferred by both parties because they are negotiable, quicker to reach, and remain confidential. However, if necessary, we can prepare your case for litigation before the court. We don’t back down, especially when our client’s livelihood is on the line.