Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

A Nationally Recognized Firm With Decades of Trial Experience

Since 2005, Matthews & Associates has grown into a team of more than 20 trial attorneys handling catastrophic injury, product liability, and mass tort cases on behalf of clients nationwide. Our firm has been recognized by organizations including U.S. News & World Report's Best Law Firms, Best Lawyers in America, the American Association for Justice (AAJ), the American Bar Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and the National Trial Lawyers.

That track record matters in spinal cord injury cases specifically because these claims are rarely simple. They often involve large insurance carriers, trucking companies, product manufacturers, or corporate defendants with substantial legal resources of their own. Having attorneys who regularly take on well-funded opposing counsel — and who know how to build a case around lifelong care needs, lost earning capacity, and future medical costs — can make a meaningful difference in the outcome.

What is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury occurs when trauma, compression, or loss of blood supply damages the spinal cord, disrupting the signals that travel between the brain and the rest of the body. Depending on where along the spine the damage occurs and how severe it is, the effects can range from temporary weakness to permanent, total paralysis.

Spinal cord injuries are generally classified as:

• Complete injuries: All function is lost below the level of injury — no movement or sensation on either side of the body.
• Incomplete injuries: Some function remains below the level of injury, and the degree of movement or sensation retained varies widely from person to person.

The location of the injury along the spine also determines its scope:

• Tetraplegia (quadriplegia): Damage to the cervical (neck) region of the spine, affecting the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and often breathing and other organ function.
• Paraplegia: Damage to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine, affecting the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs while arm and hand function is typically preserved.

Because the spinal cord does not repair itself the way other tissue does, many spinal cord injuries result in permanent disability.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can happen in many different situations. Some of the most common causes include:

• Car accidents
• Truck and 18-wheeler accidents
• Motorcycle crashes
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Workplace and construction accidents
• Sports and recreational injuries
• Acts of violence
• Defective products or vehicle safety equipment
• Explosions and industrial accidents

When another party's negligence contributes to the accident, victims may be entitled to pursue compensation for their injuries.

Symptoms and Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury

The effects of a spinal cord injury can appear immediately or develop as swelling and inflammation progress in the hours and days following an accident. Common symptoms and effects include:

Physical Effects

• Loss of movement or muscle control
• Loss of sensation, including the ability to feel heat, cold, and touch
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Chronic pain or intense stinging sensations
• Difficulty breathing or coughing
• Exaggerated reflex activity or muscle spasms

Emotional and Psychological Effects

• Depression and anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Grief over loss of independence and physical ability

Because the full extent of a spinal cord injury is not always apparent right away, immediate medical evaluation is critical — both for your health and to create the medical documentation that supports a legal claim.

Long-Term Impact of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries frequently require a lifetime of medical care, equipment, and support. Common long-term impacts include:

• Paralysis, partial or complete
• Chronic pain and secondary health complications
• Need for wheelchairs, home modifications, and adaptive equipment
• Ongoing physical, occupational, and respiratory therapy
• Increased risk of infections, pressure sores, and other complications
• Loss of independence and need for in-home or long-term care
• Reduced or eliminated earning capacity

Families often take on major caregiving responsibilities and face difficult decisions about long-term care. A successful legal claim can help secure the resources needed to provide for that care over a lifetime, not just in the immediate aftermath.

Compensation from a Spinal Cord Injury Claim

Spinal cord injury cases frequently involve substantial damages because of the severity and permanence of the harm. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, compensation may include:

• Medical Expenses — Emergency treatment, surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and future medical care.
• Lost Income — Lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and loss of future income.
• Long-Term Care and Home Modifications — In-home nursing care, wheelchair-accessible housing modifications, and specialized equipment.
• Pain and Suffering — Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages — If a spinal cord injury results in death, surviving family members may pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.

In cases involving extreme negligence, punitive damages may also be awarded.