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Home Catastrophic Injuries Spinal Cord Injuries

Houston Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

spinal cord injuries
Tommy Fibich - attorney
Contact a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Houston Today

At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we understand the life-altering implications a spinal cord injury can have and are dedicated to pursuing the full spectrum of compensation you deserve. Reach out to us for your free consultation today, and we will help you reclaim control over your future.

Tommy Fibich - attorney
Contact a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Houston Today

At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we understand the life-altering implications a spinal cord injury can have and are dedicated to pursuing the full spectrum of compensation you deserve. Reach out to us for your free consultation today, and we will help you reclaim control over your future.

Did you know the lifetime costs of a spinal cord injury can add up to millions of dollars? It’s a startling reality, especially when you’re already grappling with an accident’s physical and emotional repercussions.

If you suffered a spine injury in an accident caused by another party, you could be entitled to significant compensation, which could ease some of your burdens. But recovering the money you are owed is a complex process. It requires a deep understanding of the law, meticulous attention to detail, and strong negotiation skills. That makes legal representation a necessity.

Why choose Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs to represent you? Our law firm boasts over a century of collective personal injury litigation experience, including spinal cord injury cases. We’ve successfully recovered more than $1 billion for our deserving clients in thousands of injury cases throughout Texas. Our track record features some of the largest verdicts and settlements in state history, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to securing meaningful results for those we represent.

Contact our Houston personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help. Let us help you take the first steps toward securing fair compensation and reclaiming your life.

What Are Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?

At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, our Houston catastrophic injury lawyers have the experience and resources to handle a wide range of spine injury cases, including those stemming from the following common causes:

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Traffic Accidents – Car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents, including those involving reckless driving, DUI, and distractions, are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries.
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Slip-and-Falls – Especially prevalent among the elderly, falls can result from various circumstances such as slippery surfaces, tripping hazards, or insufficient support.
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Workplace Accidents – Certain workers are at higher risk for occupational spinal injuries, particularly those in the construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries.
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Sports and Recreational Activities – Engaging in high-impact sports or recreational activities like football or diving without proper equipment or supervision can also lead to a spine injury.
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Medical Malpractice – Errors during surgery, improper handling of patients, or misdiagnosis can lead to preventable health conditions that damage the spinal cord.
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Defective Products – Some spinal cord injuries result from the use of defective or poorly designed products, such as malfunctioning vehicles or unsafe work equipment.
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Violence and Assaults – Acts of violence, including intentional or unintentional gunshot wounds and stabbings, can cause traumatic injuries to the spinal cord.
Spinal Cord Injuries

What Are the Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?

Early detection is essential for properly managing and treating a spinal cord injury. With this in mind, here are some signs and symptoms to look for that might indicate an SCI:

Loss of motor function Icon
Loss of motor function
Loss of sensation or altered sensation Icon
Loss of sensation or altered sensation
Pain or intense stinging sensations Icon
Pain or intense stinging sensations
Muscle spasms or exaggerated reflexes Icon
Muscle spasms or exaggerated reflexes
Changes in sexual function Icon
Changes in sexual function
Difficulty breathing or clearing the lungs Icon
Difficulty breathing or clearing the lungs
Loss of bladder or bowel control Icon
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Difficulty with balance and walking Icon
Difficulty with balance and walking
Impaired ability to feel heat, cold, and touch Icon
Impaired ability to feel heat, cold, and touch
Changes in body temperature regulation Icon
Changes in body temperature regulation
Weakness or paralysis in any part of the body Icon
Weakness or paralysis in any part of the body
Unusual positioning of the neck or back Icon
Unusual positioning of the neck or back
Extreme pain or pressure in the neck, head, or back Icon
Extreme pain or pressure in the neck, head, or back
Numbness or tingling in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes Icon
Numbness or tingling in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes
Abnormal band-like sensations in the torso Icon
Abnormal band-like sensations in the torso
Difficulty swallowing Icon
Difficulty swallowing
Chronic headaches Icon
Chronic headaches
Depression or anxiety Icon
Depression or anxiety
Changes in mood or personality Icon
Changes in mood or personality
Difficulty concentrating or remembering Icon
Difficulty concentrating or remembering
Unexplained weight loss Icon
Unexplained weight loss

What Compensation Can I Pursue for a Spinal Cord Injury?

Compensation from an SCI claim can alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with your condition and provide a sense of justice. Compensation could be available for the following types of personal and financial losses in a spine injury claim:

Past and future medical expenses Icon
Past and future medical expenses
Rehabilitation costs Icon
Rehabilitation costs
Assistive device and equipment costs Icon
Assistive device and equipment costs
Home modification expenses Icon
Home modification expenses
Lost income Icon
Lost income
Loss of future earnings Icon
Loss of future earnings
Pain and suffering Icon
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress Icon
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life Icon
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium or companionship Icon
Loss of consortium or companionship

What Are the Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?

There are many different types of spinal cord injuries (also called SCIs) that vary depending on the nature and location of the damage. First, spinal cord injuries are typically classified as incomplete or complete:

  • Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries involve partial damage to the spinal cord. Individuals with incomplete SCIs often retain some sensation or motor function below the injury site.
  • Complete Spinal Cord Injuries occur when the spinal cord is totally damaged or severed, resulting in a total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of injury.

Physicians also categorize SCIs based on the part or “level” of the spine where the injury occurred:

  • Cervical (C1-C8) Spinal Cord Injuries – These injuries occur at the neck level. They can result in paralysis or weakness in both arms and legs (quadriplegia), affecting the individual’s ability to breathe, speak, or control bowel or bladder movements.
  • Thoracic (T1-T12) Spinal Cord Injuries – Thoracic injuries are less common due to the protection offered by the rib cage. However, when they do occur, they can cause paralysis in the legs (paraplegia) and affect temperature regulation, bladder and bowel control, and sexual function.
  • Lumbar (L1-L5) Spinal Cord Injuries – Injuries at this level can also result in paraplegia with symptoms similar to those of thoracic injuries. Many individuals with lumbar injuries require assistive devices like braces or wheelchairs.
  • Sacral (S1-S5) Spinal Cord Injuries – These injuries can affect the hips, thighs, and buttock muscles and often lead to disruptions in bladder, bowel, and sexual function. Some patients with sacral SCIs retain the ability to walk but experience difficulties with balance.

What Are Treatment Options for a Spinal Cord Injury?

Treatment options for spinal cord injuries aim to stabilize the patient’s condition, prevent further injury, and help the individual return to an active and productive life. Common treatment strategies include:

  • Emergency care to stabilize blood pressure, prevent shock, and immobilize the spine
  • Medications like corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and damage to nerve cells
  • Surgery to remove fragments of bones, repair a herniated disk or disks, or stabilize the spine
  • Physical and occupational therapy to improve bodily strength, mobility, and independence
  • New treatments like stem cell therapy, nerve cell transplantation, and robotic gait training
  • Psychological counseling to help patients adjust to big life changes after a spinal cord injury

What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury?

Spinal cord injuries are devastating wounds that affect patients for life. Long-term consequences of SCIs commonly include the following:

  • Debilitating chronic pain
  • Secondary health issues like respiratory complications
  • Reduced mobility or complete inability to move
  • Initial medical costs and ongoing treatment expenses
  • Loss of income and future earning capacity
  • Limited ability to participate in hobbies or enjoyable activities
  • Changes in personal independence
  • Changes in self-image and self-esteem
  • Strained relationships with family and friends
  • Depression, anxiety, and grief due to SCI-related life changes

How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit in Texas?

It depends. The standard time limit in Texas for a personal injury lawsuit, such as a spine injury case, is two years. This two-year period begins on the date when you sustain your spinal cord injury, meaning your time to act starts running out the moment you get hurt. If you try to file after the two-year deadline passes, the court could dismiss your case as time-barred, effectively eliminating your right to sue.

This time limit could be even shorter than the standard two years in certain circumstances. Additionally, note that this two-year limit only applies to lawsuits, not insurance claims. Insurance claims are usually subject to even shorter filing deadlines. Missing any relevant deadlines could seriously harm your case and put your ability to recover meaningful compensation at risk.

Given the high stakes and potential variation in these critical filing deadlines, acting promptly is essential. The best way to ascertain how long you have to act is to consult a seasoned spinal cord injury lawyer in Houston who can provide a detailed estimate based on your unique case.

How a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Can Help with Your Case

If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a spinal cord injury in Texas, the guidance of a skilled lawyer is essential. Here are just a few ways a lawyer can support you and your SCI case:

  • Conducting an independent investigation into the incident that led to your spinal cord injury
  • Gathering and analyzing evidence to establish liability and support your case
  • Interviewing witnesses who can speak to how you got hurt or how the SCI has affected your life
  • Negotiating with insurance companies to demand fair compensation on your behalf
  • Consulting medical experts to evaluate the extent and long-term consequences of your injury
  • Calculating and documenting your losses, including medical expenses and loss of income
  • Building a strong legal strategy tailored to the specifics of your case
  • Filing a lawsuit and representing you in court, if necessary

What Is the Average Settlement for a Back Injury from a Car Accident?

Predicting a possible settlement for a back injury or SCI claim after a car accident is a complex task. Every case is unique, with various contributing factors such as the severity of the injury, the impact on the patient’s life, and who is liable for the incident. As a result, there is no such thing as an “average” SCI or back injury settlement.

The best way to assess the potential value of your case is to consult a back injury lawyer with plenty of experience handling other SCI cases. An experienced Houston spinal cord injury attorney can analyze the specifics of your situation, consider the full scope of your losses, and provide a realistic estimate for your case.