San Diego Spinal Cord Injury Attorney

A spinal cord injury can happen at any moment, leaving a person facing challenges they never imagined. Whether it's the result of a car crash, a fall, or an accident at work, the effects can be devastating.

Some injuries lead to paralysis and loss of movement or feeling. Others cause relentless pain, even without paralysis. One thing is certain: a spinal cord injury affects more than just your body. It can change your relationships, job, and independence.​

At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, we understand how difficult this time can be. When a spinal cord injury happens because of someone else's carelessness or negligence, the pain can feel even more intense and unfair. For over 47 years, we've helped people wrongfully injured reclaim their lives, winning more than $2 billion for our clients.

Reach out to our team online or by calling (619) 236-9363 to speak with a San Diego spinal cord injury attorney about your case.

"Working with the team at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire was a fantastic experience during a challenging time. I am so grateful for their professionalism, patience, persistence, and follow-through. While I hope I never need a lawyer again, I would definitely recommend this firm to anyone in need and would use them again, no questions asked. Thank you!!"

— Alicia C.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

The spinal cord is the communication highway between your brain and the rest of your body. It runs through a column of bones called vertebrae that make up your spine, and it carries signals that control everything from movement and sensation to breathing and bladder function.

When the spinal cord is damaged, those signals are disrupted. Depending on where the injury occurs and its severity, a person may lose the ability to move certain parts of their body, feel pain or temperature, or control basic bodily functions.

What makes spinal cord injuries particularly difficult is that the spinal cord itself cannot repair itself the way other tissues in the body can. Once the cord is damaged, the injury cannot simply be reversed. 

Treatment focuses on stabilizing the injury, preventing further damage, and helping the person adapt to and recover as much function as possible. For many survivors, that process takes years and requires a team of specialists, caregivers, and financial resources that most families are not prepared for.

If someone else's negligence caused your spinal cord injury, you should not have to bear those costs alone.

How Common Are Spinal Cord Injuries?

Spinal cord injuries are a leading cause of serious health problems around the world. They can drastically affect a person's quality of life and put a heavy strain on the healthcare system.

Below are some statistics that shed light on spinal cord injuries:

• Studies suggest that there are approximately 18,000 new spinal cord injury cases each year in the United States.
• Between 255,000 and 390,000 people currently live with a spinal cord injury (SCI) in the U.S., according to recent estimates.
• Most new SCIs occur in young to middle-aged adults, typically ages late teens to mid-40s.
• Approximately 80% of new SCI cases each year involve males.
• The majority of spinal cord injuries result from vehicle crashes, followed by falls, acts of violence, and sports or recreational activities.

Which Types of Accidents Most Often Cause Spinal Cord Injuries?

There are several types of accidents that can result in a spinal cord injury, including:

• Motor Vehicle Collisions: Vehicular crashes are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents. In 2022, there were 12,838 total crashes in San Diego, resulting in 17,386 reported injuries. About 39.9% of all spine injuries happen in car accidents.
• Slip-and-Fall Accidents: Recent data from the California Department of Public Health shows that slip-and-fall accidents are common in San Diego County. In 2023, there were over 2,500 reported cases, which means about 170 out of every 100,000 residents were injured.
• Sports-Related Injuries: Contact sports like football or hockey can lead to serious spinal cord injuries. A hard hit, fall, or collision can cause damage to the spine. These account for about 8% of SCIs.
• Violent Acts: About 12% of spinal cord injuries result from violent encounters, usually from gunshot wounds. Knife wounds are also common. The violent crime rate in San Diego as of 2023 is 4.4 per thousand residents.

A spinal cord injury changes how a person lives, works, and moves. Medical bills, lost income, caregiving, and equipment costs can follow for years. When someone else's negligence caused the injury, pursuing compensation ensures those costs do not fall entirely on the injured person.

Let Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire help you hold those responsible fully accountable and guide you through each step of the legal process. Contact us online or call (619) 236-9363 now to protect your rights and secure the support you deserve.

How Does a Spinal Cord Injury Affect the Body?

The spine is a complex component of the body that, along with the brain, comprises the central nervous system.

Since the central nervous system is responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body, any damage to the spinal cord can disrupt these signals, leading to a wide range of physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments, including problems with:​

• Bladder and bowel function,
• Sexual health,
• Movement control,
• Breathing ability,
• Sensory function,
• Muscle mobility,
• Muscle strength, and
• Reflex responses.

The effects of a spinal cord injury go beyond the physical. Survivors often face major emotional and psychological challenges as they adjust to a new reality.​

Depression, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion are common after a spinal cord injury. The strain on relationships and family life can be severe. Claims that cover only medical bills miss much of what a survivor has lost.

What Are the Different Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?

Spinal cord injuries fall into two broad categories: complete and incomplete.

A complete spinal cord injury means that all motor and sensory function below the level of the injury has been lost. The spinal cord is unable to transmit signals beyond the injury site, resulting in complete paralysis and loss of sensation in the affected areas.

Complete injuries are generally permanent, though rehabilitation can help survivors maximize their remaining function and independence.

An incomplete spinal cord injury means that some signals are still able to pass through the damaged area. The person retains partial motor or sensory function below the injury site. The degree of function that remains varies widely from person to person and depends on the nature and location of the damage.

Some people with incomplete injuries regain significant function over time with intensive rehabilitation. Others experience more limited improvement.

The distinction between complete and incomplete injuries has significant implications for long-term care needs, quality of life, and the financial costs a survivor will face over their lifetime. Both types of injuries can form the basis of a legal claim when caused by another person's negligence.

Levels of Spinal Cord Injuries

Where the injury happens on the spine determines what parts of the body are affected and how severely. The spine has four regions, each with distinct functions and effects when damaged.

Generally speaking, the more severe the spinal injury, the more extensive the effects on the body. A cervical injury at C1 or C2 — the highest levels of the spine — can affect nearly every system in the body and may require lifelong mechanical ventilation and around-the-clock care. An injury at the sacral level, while serious, may preserve more function and allow for greater independence.

How Is a Spinal Cord Injury Treated?

Treatment of a spinal cord injury starts as soon as emergency responders arrive. The first priority is to stabilize the spine and prevent further harm. Often, surgery follows to directly address the injury. Recovery after that is long and intensive.

Emergency and Acute Care

In the hours and days following a spinal cord injury, medical teams focus on preventing secondary damage. Swelling, bleeding, and inflammation around the injury site can extend the damage beyond the initial trauma if not addressed quickly.

Surgical interventions may be performed to remove bone fragments, repair vertebrae, decompress the spinal cord, or stabilize the spine with rods and screws.

Rehabilitation

Once the acute phase of treatment is complete, rehabilitation becomes the central focus of recovery. A comprehensive rehabilitation program typically involves:​

• Physical therapy to rebuild strength, improve balance, and maximize mobility,
• Occupational therapy to help survivors relearn daily tasks and adapt to new ways of functioning,
• Respiratory therapy for injuries that affect breathing,
• Speech therapy when cognitive or communication functions are affected, and
• Psychological counseling to address the emotional and mental health challenges that accompany a life-altering injury.

Rehabilitation is a long-term commitment to rebuilding as much function and independence as possible, and for many survivors, that work continues for years.

Assistive Technology and Home Modifications

Many survivors require adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, voice-activated devices, and specialized vehicles. Homes often need modifications such as ramps, wider doorways, roll-in showers, and other accommodations. These are not optional extras. They are necessities that carry high ongoing costs.

Long-Term and Ongoing Care

For survivors with higher-level injuries, around-the-clock personal care may be required for the rest of their lives. Managing secondary complications, including pressure sores, urinary tract infections, respiratory issues, and spasticity, requires ongoing medical attention and may lead to repeated hospitalizations over time.

The financial reality of long-term spinal cord injury care is significant. For someone with high quadriplegia, the first year of care alone can exceed $1 million, with ongoing annual costs of nearly $185,000 thereafter. Pursuing fair compensation means projecting those costs across the full span of a survivor's life.

What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury

If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury, you are likely reading this from a hospital room, a rehabilitation facility, or a home that looks very different from the one it did before the accident. The legal process is probably the last thing on your mind right now, and that is completely understandable.

But the steps taken in the weeks and months following a spinal cord injury can have a lasting impact on your ability to recover compensation. Here is what matters most during this time.

Document Everything From the Beginning

Keep records of every medical appointment, diagnosis, treatment, and expense. If possible, maintain a daily journal documenting your symptoms, pain levels, what you are unable to do, and how the injury is affecting your daily life and emotional well-being. This documentation becomes evidence, and the more detailed it is, the stronger your case.

Be Careful About What You Say to Insurance Companies

The at-fault party's insurance company may contact you early in your recovery. Their representatives may seem sympathetic and genuinely concerned about your well-being. They are not. Every conversation is an opportunity to gather information that can be used to reduce your claim.​

You are not required to give a recorded statement or answer their questions. If they contact you, let them know you are consulting with an attorney before responding.

Understand That the Full Cost of Your Injury May Not Be Clear Yet

Spinal cord injuries often require years of treatment before the full picture of long-term care needs becomes clear. Accepting an early settlement before that picture has developed can leave survivors without the resources they need years down the road.

An experienced San Diego spinal cord injury attorney can help ensure that any settlement or verdict accounts for the full lifetime of costs your injury will require.

Contact an Attorney Before Making Any Legal Decisions

The sooner you have legal representation, the better protected you are. A San Diego spinal cord injury lawyer can preserve evidence, communicate with insurance companies on your behalf, and begin building the case while your medical team focuses on your recovery.​

At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, consultations are free, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

Why Should I Hire a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney?

When trying to adjust to your new normal following a spinal cord injury, reaching out to a lawyer is probably the last thing on your mind. However, if your injury was the result of an accident, then you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover compensation to make this transition easier.

But the idea of filing a lawsuit alone may feel overwhelming, leaving you questioning whether it’s worth the fight and making it all too easy to turn away from taking legal action. Having an attorney means you have someone who understands the legal process and can guide you through it at every stage.

A San Diego spinal cord injury lawyer will take the burden off your shoulders by doing the following:

• Investigating the Accident: Whether it was an accident at work or a car crash, your attorney will gather evidence and talk to witnesses to build a strong foundation for your claim.
• Consulting with Medical Experts: They'll speak with doctors, specialists, and rehabilitation professionals to connect the dots between the accident and your injury, demonstrating how it’s impacted your body, health, and future.
• Adding Up the Full Extent of Your Damages: They’ll thoroughly evaluate the unique ways your spinal cord injury has affected your life, ensuring all current and future damages are accounted for.
• Handling All Legal Details: From filing complex paperwork to meeting tight deadlines, they’ll take care of the logistics, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
• Fighting for You in Court, if Needed: If the other side won’t agree to a fair settlement, then your attorney will go to bat for you in court.

Studies have also found that having legal representation greatly improves your chances of success in a legal claim. According to a Martindale-Nolo study, people who hired an attorney typically received an average of $77,600 in compensation, compared to just $17,600 for those who attempted to handle their case without professional help.

What Damages Can a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Help Me Recover?

The long-term costs of a spinal cord injury can be astronomical. Furthermore, not only can living in San Diego be expensive, but its healthcare costs are generally higher than the national average.

Living with a spinal cord injury can be incredibly expensive. Just the medical care and everyday living costs can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, depending on the severity of the injury.

For someone with high quadriplegia, the first year alone could cost over $1 million, with annual costs of nearly $185,000 after that. Over a lifetime, these expenses can reach several million dollars, especially if the injury is more severe.

A team of experienced San Diego spinal cord injury lawyers knows the intense financial burden a catastrophic injury like this brings. That’s why they’re committed to maximizing your compensation to cover:

• Past and Future Medical Expenses: Ongoing hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, and emergency care related to your injury.
• Rehabilitation Costs: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and specialized rehabilitation programs to help you regain as much independence as possible.
• Nursing Assistance: The cost of in-home care or long-term nursing services to assist with daily activities and personal care.
• Home Modifications: Expenses for adapting your home with ramps, wider doorways, and accessible bathrooms to accommodate your new mobility needs.
• Assistive Devices: Wheelchairs, mobility aids, specialized equipment, and prosthetics that are essential for your daily function and independence.
• Past and Future Surgeries: Compensation for any surgeries you’ve already had and those you may require in the future as part of your recovery or management of the injury.
• Lost Wages: Reimbursement for income lost due to your inability to work, including potential future earnings if you are no longer able to return to your previous job.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical, emotional, and psychological toll the injury has taken on your life.
• Mental Health Care: Costs for therapy or counseling to help manage the mental strain of adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury.
• Travel Expenses: The costs associated with traveling to medical appointments, therapy sessions, or specialized care.

Just 18% of people with spinal cord injuries are employed within the first year after their injury. However, this number increases to 32% after 30 years.

This is crucial when considering the long-term impact of a spinal cord injury. A lawsuit can help you recover compensation for lost wages and future earning potential, easing the financial strain and allowing you to focus on your recovery and eventual return to work.

Financial Support Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire Has Won for Spinal Cord Injury Survivors

Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire understands that spinal cord injury survivors have a long and hard road ahead of them. We want to do our part to help survivors get the compensation they need so they can direct all their energy and focus toward recovery without the constant stress of mounting expenses.

Here are a couple of successful cases led by our San Diego spinal cord injury law firm:

• $20.3 Million Jury Verdict for Rollover Accident: Awarded to a client left quadriplegic after a Ford van rollover, caused by multiple design failures, including a faulty seat restraint system and inadequate roof crush standards.
• $2.59 Million Prelitigation Settlement for Car Accident: Secured for a client who suffered massive closed head trauma and permanent disability after a car accident caused by another driver's negligence, leaving him with lifelong impairments.

"There's really no secret about what I do. I really do care for my clients. Each case gets the same kind of attention my family would get." 

— Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr., Founding Partner

Partner With the San Diego Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire Today

At Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire, our team takes our motto, "making lives better," to heart every day. When you're facing one of the toughest challenges of your life, we are the team you can count on. We are deeply committed to helping spinal cord injury survivors regain their independence and secure the financial support they need.

When you’re ready to learn about your options in taking legal action and what a spinal cord injury attorney in San Diego can do for you, contact our San Diego spinal cord injury law firm online or by calling (619) 236-9363 today.

Proudly Representing San Diego Residents