Legal Help for Spinal Cord Injury Victims: Your Rights, Compensation & Legal Options
Get the Legal Support You Need After an SCI
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering event that can lead to long-term disabilities, mounting medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. If your SCI was caused by an accident, defective product, fall, workplace or industrial accident, negligence, or medical malpractice, you may be entitled to financial compensation and legal support.
The trial lawyers at SpinalCordInjury.com have decades of experience and can guide you through the legal maze and traps that exist, and file any needed legal actions, claims or lawsuits to protect your legal rights for damages and compensation. While the spinal cord injury patient is undergoing medical surgeries, treatment rehab and facing life changing challenges, the accident scene is changing, vehicles, tires and other defective products (the critical evidence) can gets changed, lost or destroyed, witnesses’ memories start to fade and filing deadlines and required legal notices continue to run.
This scenario is the exact reason calling an experienced team of trial personal lawyers with decades of knowledge and significant past client results is so important. While you take care of the medical side, we can take over and protect the legal side of your accident. Call us 24/7 to discuss what we can do to protect your legal rights.
When Can You File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?
If your SCI resulted from someone else’s negligence or fault, you may be eligible to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit. These legal claims help victims, and their families recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, home modifications, and long-term hospital, rehab and home-health care.
NAVIGATE THIS PAGE
- When Can You File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit?
- Common Causes of SCI Lawsuits
- How a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer can Help Protect Your Legal Rights to Compensation
- Can You Get Insurance & Disability Benefits for an SCI?
- Understanding Your Legal Rights After an SCI
- How to File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit & Secure Compensation
- Find the Best Spinal Cord Injury Attorney for Your Case
- Top Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys are Ready to Assist You
- Contact Us
Common Causes of SCI Lawsuits
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Whether it’s a car, semi-truck accident, motorcycle, or public transit accident, car or pickup truck rollover, high-impact collisions can fracture vertebrae or compress the spinal cord, leading to partial or complete paralysis. Victims of reckless driving, distracted driving, or DUI accidents may have legal grounds to sue for damages, covering medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs and a wide range of other legal damages allowed under the law.
Fall Injuries
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe premises. If hazardous conditions—such as wet floors, uneven sidewalks, or poor lighting—cause a slip-and-fall accident leading to an SCI, the victim may be eligible for compensation. This is especially common in businesses, apartment complexes, and public spaces where the negligence in property maintenance leads to severe spinal injuries and TBI. Many other falls result from falling over roof, down open holes in construction sites, down elevator shafts, off floors or into due to lack of barricades or use of fall protection devices.
Workplace & Construction Accidents
High-risk job environments, particularly on construction sites, chemical and petroleum refineries manufacturing plants, oilfields, and warehousing, contribute to a significant number of SCIs each year. Falls from scaffolding, forklifts, falling objects, crane collapses or machinery accidents can cause irreversible spinal cord damage and often traumatic brain injuries. Workers may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, but in some cases, they can also file third-party lawsuits against negligent equipment manufacturers or subcontractors responsible for unsafe conditions.
Medical Malpractice
Negligence in medical treatment can lead to spinal cord injuries, whether through surgical errors, improper anesthesia administration, or delayed diagnosis of spinal infections. For example, a botched spinal surgery, failure to detect a tumor pressing on the spinal cord or mishandling of a patient during medical procedures can result in permanent paralysis. Though most medical negligence claims are very tough to litigate and prove in court, victims may still be able to sue hospitals, doctors, or medical providers for malpractice under the right facts.
Defective Products
Faulty medical devices, scaffolding, unsafe products, or poorly designed consumer products can cause severe injuries, including SCIs. Common examples include defective seat belts or airbags failing to deploy and protect passengers during a crash, defective ladders failures, vehicle roofs collapsing in car and truck rollover accidents. Product liability lawsuits hold manufacturers accountable for injuries and damages caused by defective or poorly designed products
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Collisions involving pedestrians or cyclists often result in severe spinal injuries due to the lack of protection. Drivers who fail to yield, drive recklessly, or engage in distracted driving can be held liable for damages, especially in crosswalk or sidewalk incidents leading to SCI. Right hand turns by semi semi-trucks making sharp turns in areas where pedestrians are standing on corners or walking can be extremely dangerous as often the back trailer of an 18-wheeler can “cut the corner” and run over not only the curb, a sign but also hit and kill innocent people.
Swimming Pool and Waterpark Accidents
Diving into shallow pools, slipping on wet surfaces, or being thrown from waterpark rides can result in severe spinal cord injuries. Head-first diving into unknown waters is one of the most common causes of pool-related SCIs, often leading to permanent paralysis. Many of these accidents occur due to lack of depth markers, cloudy water, poorly maintained diving boards, or inadequate lifeguard supervision. Victims who suffer SCIs in swimming pools, wave pools, slides in waterparks may have legal claims against property owners, amusement park operators, and/or manufacturers of defective water-based attractions.
Acts of Violence (Gunshot and Assault-Related Injuries)
Gunshot wounds and physical assaults are responsible for a significant number of spinal cord injuries. Victims of violent crimes, such as shootings, stabbings, or severe beatings, may pursue compensation through personal injury lawsuits against the perpetrator or third parties who failed to provide adequate security. One of the major problems of many of these types of lawsuits, is the lack of any available funds, insurance or deep pockets of the criminal or assailant that stabbed or pulled the trigger and caused these life changing injuries.
Public Transportation and Rideshare Accidents
Buses, trains, and rideshare vehicles (such as Uber and Lyft) are involved in accidents that can result in SCIs. Victims may seek compensation from transportation companies, government agencies, or drivers who acted negligently and caused serious injury. Sadly, many Lyft and Uber accidents are caused while the Uber or Lyft driver is texting while driving and driver inattention and speeding.
Even if you were partially at fault, you still may have a case. Talk to Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers and let them study and analyze the facts for you.
How a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer can Help Protect Your Legal Rights to Compensation
While hiring a lawyer is not required, having an experienced spinal cord injury attorney can greatly increase your chances of securing maximum compensation. SCI lawsuits are complex and often involve detailed medical evidence, accident investigations, and insurance disputes.
How a SCI Lawyer Can Help:
- Conduct a full investigation to determine liability.
- Hire expert engineers, medical professionals, and damages specialists.
- File lawsuits against all responsible parties.
- Cross-examine witnesses and insurance defense experts.
- Negotiate and fight insurance disputes.
- Reduce medical liens and subrogation claims.
- Represent you in mediation or trial if needed.
Finding the right lawyer is crucial. Check out the background, experiences and qualifications of Ammons and Willis and listen to the testimonials of actual SCI clients.
Can You Get Insurance & Disability Benefits for an SCI?
If your spinal cord injury prevents you from working, you may qualify for disability benefits, workers’ compensation, or personal injury settlements. Unfortunately, insurance claim denials, delays, and legal disputes are common. We can help you with all of these needed benefits being filed timely and find the needed representation if your claims are denied.
Types of SCI-Related Insurance & Disability Claims:
- Social Security Disability (SSDI) – Available for those unable to work due to an SCI.
- Workers' Compensation – Covers medical bills, wage replacement, and disability benefits for work-related SCIs.
- Private Insurance & Bad Faith Claims – Some insurers unfairly deny SCI claims to avoid payouts. Victims may need to file appeals or lawsuits against bad-faith insurance practices.
Understanding Your Legal Rights After an SCI
Spinal cord injury victims are protected under federal and state laws, ensuring their rights to fair treatment, workplace accommodations, and accessibility. Knowing your legal protections can help in handling insurance claims, employment concerns, and housing issues.
Key Legal Protections for SCI Victims:
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Prohibits discrimination and guarantees accessibility to public spaces, transportation, and employment.
- Employment Rights – Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled workers.
- Housing & Accessibility Rights – Landlords and businesses must make reasonable modifications for wheelchair users and individuals with mobility impairments.
- Social Security & Disability Benefits – SCI victims may qualify for financial aid and medical assistance.
Contact the Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys to Learn How to Protect Your Rights After a Catastrophic Injury Accident
How to File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit & Secure Compensation
If you’re considering filing an SCI lawsuit, it’s essential to follow the correct legal steps. Missing deadlines or not providing adequate evidence can weaken your case.
Steps to File an SCI Lawsuit:
Determine Eligibility – Check if your case qualifies by reviewing legal criteria.
Gather Evidence – Obtain medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert opinions.
File Within Deadlines – Each state has time limits (statutes of limitations) for SCI lawsuits.
Negotiate a Settlement – Most SCI cases settle before trial; an attorney can help maximize your compensation.
Go to Trial (If Necessary) – If a fair settlement isn’t reached, your case may proceed to court.
Need step-by-step legal guidance? Visit our SCI lawsuit filing guide for a full breakdown of the process.
Find the Best Spinal Cord Injury Attorney for Your Case
Not all personal injury lawyers specialize in spinal cord injury cases, so choosing the right attorney is crucial for success.
What to Look for in an SCI Lawyer:
- Expertise in SCI Cases – Specialization ensures a better understanding of complex medical and legal issues.
- Proven Case Results – Look for attorneys with successful SCI settlements and verdicts.
- No Upfront Fees – Most SCI attorneys work on contingency (they only get paid if you win).
- Strong Client Reviews – Read testimonials from past clients to gauge reliability and effectiveness.
Top Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys are Ready to Assist You
Suffering a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. SCI cases are complex, and time limits apply. Whether you’re filing an insurance claim, workers’ comp claim, or SCI lawsuit, you need expert legal representation. Our team of Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers places a special emphasis on representing SCI victims, with a proven track record of securing substantial compensation for clients.
Robert E. Ammons and David P. Willis are both Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyers, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Both have served as attorneys for the Supreme Court of Texas and are licensed in multiple states. Their extensive legal experience and national recognition make them the trusted advocates you need in your corner.
Read more about these SCI Lawyers educational background, awards, past case results, and what former SCI clients have to say about their representation.
Get the Legal Help Your Need to Protect Yourself
If you or a loved one have suffered a life changing spinal cord injury, a traumatic brain injury or any catastrophic injuries in an accident and you believe that another party may have been at fault, then call us 24/7 to start the process and contact us for a free case consultation. Let us deal with the legal side while you are dealing with the medical and rehab side.
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