Spinal Cord Injuries

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries

Your spinal cord is a column of nerves protected by 24 vertebrae, divided into four regions: the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (chest), lumbar spine (lower back), and sacral spine (tailbone area). This delicate system carries messages between your brain and the rest of your body.

When the spinal cord is damaged—whether from blunt force trauma, a penetrating injury, or fractured vertebrae—those vital communications can be disrupted. The location of the injury determines which body functions are affected. Injuries higher on the spine typically result in more extensive loss of function.

These injuries often come with additional trauma: broken bones, damaged tissue, blood clots, and nerve damage. Most cases require surgery to stabilize the spine, improve blood flow, and preserve as much nerve function as possible.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Fresno

• Motor vehicle accidents – Car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and truck collisions are leading causes of spinal cord injuries. The force of impact—whether from another vehicle, a guardrail, or objects inside your car—can fracture vertebrae or sever the spinal cord. Speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving make these accidents especially devastating.
• Slip and fall accidents – Falls are one of the most common causes of spinal cord damage. Tripping on stairs, slipping on wet floors, or falling on uneven sidewalks can twist the spine, compress discs, or cause direct spinal cord trauma. Property owners in California have a legal duty to maintain safe premises. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for your injuries.
• Workplace accidents – Construction sites, industrial facilities, and other workplaces present serious fall and crushing hazards that can result in spinal cord damage.
• Sports and recreational accidents – High-impact activities and diving accidents can cause severe spinal trauma.
• Acts of violence – Gunshot wounds, stabbings, and assault can penetrate or damage the spinal cord.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries We Handle

Spinal cord injuries vary widely in their severity and impact. Here are some of the most serious types:

• Paraplegia – This form of paralysis affects the lower body, typically resulting from damage to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine. People with paraplegia lose voluntary movement in their legs, feet, and sometimes their abdomen. Incomplete paraplegia affects only one leg. While treatment and therapy can help manage the condition, there is currently no cure.
• Tetraplegia (Quadriplegia) – Caused by damage to the cervical spine in the neck region, tetraplegia affects all four limbs and is one of the most common spinal cord injuries. Incomplete tetraplegia results in weakness or partial paralysis, while complete tetraplegia causes total loss of movement and sensation. This injury requires constant, lifelong care.
• Brown-Séquard Syndrome – This rare condition occurs when one side of the spinal cord is damaged, causing weakness or paralysis on that side and loss of sensation on the other. It can lead to urinary incontinence, numbness, and loss of voluntary muscle control.
• Anterior cord syndrome – Damage to the front of the spinal cord that impairs motor function and sensitivity to pain and temperature.
• Central cord syndrome – Damage to the center of the spinal cord that often affects the arms more severely than the legs.

Treatment, Recovery, and Long-Term Care

Recovery from a spinal cord injury is a long, challenging journey. After initial emergency treatment and surgery, most patients require:

• Extended hospitalization and inpatient rehabilitation
• Physical therapy and occupational therapy
• Assistive devices like wheelchairs, walkers, or specialized equipment
• Home modifications for accessibility
• Ongoing medical monitoring and care
• Mental health support to cope with life changes

Some patients regain partial function over months or years. Others face permanent disability that requires lifelong assistance with daily activities. The costs add up quickly: medical bills, lost wages, specialized equipment, home care, and modifications to your living space.

This is why it’s crucial to pursue full compensation—not just for your immediate expenses, but for the care and support you’ll need for years to come.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

California law allows spinal cord injury victims to seek three types of damages:

• Economic damages – These cover your measurable financial losses, including medical expenses (past and future), rehabilitation costs, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, assistive devices and equipment, home modifications, and out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury.
• Non-economic damages – These address the profound impact on your quality of life: physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship.
• Punitive damages – In cases involving particularly reckless or intentional conduct—such as drunk driving or gross negligence—California courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.

Why You Need an Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Insurance companies know that spinal cord injuries are expensive. They also know that desperate victims may accept lowball settlements just to pay their bills. Don’t fall into this trap.

Here’s what our Fresno spinal cord injury attorneys do for you:

• Thoroughly investigate your accident to establish liability
• Work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries
• Calculate the true cost of your injury, including future care needs
• Handle all communication with insurance companies
• Negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation
• Take your case to trial if necessary to get you what you deserve

You focus on your recovery and rehabilitation. We’ll handle the legal battle.

With over 50 years of experience handling catastrophic injury cases in Fresno and throughout the Central Valley, Grossman Law Offices has the knowledge and resources to take on even the most complex spinal cord injury claims. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case.