Houston Car Accident Lawyer - Joel A. Gordon

A spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord or the nerves at the end of the spinal canal (cauda equina). The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves running through the spine that carries signals between your brain and body. When it is damaged – for example, by trauma in a car crash or a bad fall – the communication between brain and body is disrupted. This can cause loss of movement (paralysis) and loss of sensation below the injury level. Spinal cord injuries are classified as complete or incomplete, depending on whether any sensation or movement remains. Even a partial injury can result in significant impairment. In addition, other back injuries like fractured vertebrae or herniated discs, while not the same as a spinal cord injury, can also affect the nerves and lead to serious pain or disability.

The value of a spinal injury case depends on many factors. Every case is unique, so it is hard to know the exact worth without a thorough evaluation. In general, spinal cord injuries tend to result in higher compensation amounts than less severe injuries because the costs and losses are so substantial. When calculating what your case is worth, we will look at economic damages like medical bills (past and future), rehabilitation and nursing care costs, lost income and loss of future earning capacity, and out of pocket expenses (for medications, medical equipment, home modifications, etc.). We also assess the impact of non-economic factors such as your physical pain, emotional suffering, mental distress, and how the injury has reduced your quality of life. If you have a permanent disability (for example, paralysis), the settlement or verdict should provide for a lifetime of care and support. It is not uncommon for paralysis injury cases to settle or be awarded in the millions of dollars, given the enormous lifelong expenses. Less severe back injury cases (like herniated disc injuries) may resolve for smaller amounts, but still should cover all your medical and personal losses. The best way to get an accurate estimate of your case’s value is to consult with an experienced Houston spinal cord injury lawyer who can analyze all the details and work with experts to project future costs.

Yes, you might be able to sue, but it depends on the circumstances. If you sustained a spinal injury while on the job in Texas, your first resource is usually workers’ compensation (if your employer carries it). Workers’ comp will pay for medical treatment and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault, but you generally cannot sue your employer for negligence if they have workers’ comp coverage. However, there are a couple of exceptions. Texas is unique because employers are not required to carry workers’ comp. If your employer does not subscribe to workers’ compensation insurance, you can file a normal personal injury lawsuit against them for your work injury. Also, if a third party (not your employer or coworker) caused your injury, you can sue that third party. For example, if you were driving for work and another driver caused a crash that hurt you, you could sue that driver. Or if a piece of equipment at work was defective and led to your injury, you could sue the manufacturer. Additionally, in tragic cases where an employee dies from a work injury, Texas law allows the family to sue an employer for gross negligence even if the employer had workers’ comp. Because these rules can be complicated, it is important to speak with a work injury attorney to understand your rights. Our Houston spinal cord injury lawyers can review your work related spinal injury case and determine all avenues for compensation.

In Texas, the general statute of limitations for personal injury cases including those involving spinal injuries is two years from the date of the injury. This means you typically have two years to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation through the court system. There are some special circumstances that can affect the time limit. For instance, claims against a city or government entity have notice requirements that are much shorter (often within 6 months or less of the injury). It is also possible for the clock to be tolled (paused) in rare situations, such as if the victim is a minor or was mentally incapacitated at the time of injury. However, you should never assume an exception applies. The safest approach is to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after a spinal injury. Starting the legal process early not only ensures your lawsuit is timely, but also helps preserve evidence and witness memories. Our firm moves quickly to investigate and file necessary paperwork so that your case is not derailed by a deadline.

While you are not legally required to have a lawyer, it is highly recommended to hire an experienced Houston spinal cord injury lawyer for a case of this complexity and magnitude. Spinal cord injury claims are not simple they often involve catastrophic injuries, high medical costs, and multiple parties or insurance companies. A seasoned lawyer understands the legal process and will know how to gather the strongest evidence of fault. We handle the negotiations with insurers who may otherwise try to take advantage of unrepresented victims by offering low settlements. Additionally, calculating the full value of a spinal injury claim is complicated. You may need experts to project future medical expenses, life care needs, and lost earning capacity, especially if you have a long term disability. Our legal team has the resources and knowledge to build a compelling case that accounts for all your losses. Without a lawyer, you risk settling for far less than you deserve or even having your claim denied due to legal technicalities. When you work with our firm, you have dedicated paralysis accident lawyers and personal injury professionals fighting on your behalf. This not only improves the chances of a successful outcome, but also gives you peace of mind so you can focus on your recovery.