Pennsylvania Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

Advocating for Spine Injury Victims in Carlisle, Hanover, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Schuylkill County & York, Pennsylvania

Spinal cord injuries rob us of the ability to make a living and weaken our control over our future. They cost tens of thousands of dollars over the course of our lives--sometimes millions of dollars. Buying equipment, getting in-home care, modifying our house and our lifestyle, ongoing hospitalization--these changes have a steep and non-negotiable cost. With no work and high treatment costs, what can families do?

When people suffer spinal cord injuries in accidents, they call the Pennsylvania spinal cord injury attorneys at Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC. We build strong cases to help people file Social Security disability claims, receive workers' compensation benefits, and file personal injury lawsuits against negligent parties to rebuild their lives. Since 1922, our firm has helped our clients win tens of millions of dollars.

Our clients pay nothing unless we win! Call (888) 498-3023 to review your options for free.

Spinal Cord Injury Causes & Who's Legally Responsible

Each year, approximately 17,700 new cases of spinal cord injuries occur in the United States, affecting an estimated 302,000 people nationwide. The leading causes of spinal cord injuries are:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, motorcycle, and truck accidents are the leading cause of SCIs, accounting for nearly 39.3% of all cases in the United States each year. The force of the collision can cause severe damage to the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis.
• Falls: Falls, particularly from significant heights or on slippery surfaces, can lead to severe spinal injuries. This is especially common among older adults and those working in construction or similar high-risk occupations. Falls contribute to about 31.8% of spinal cord injuries in the U.S.
• Violence: Acts of violence, such as gunshot or stab wounds, can penetrate the spinal cord and cause irreparable damage. 13.2% of spinal injuries are caused by violence.
• Sports Injuries: High-impact sports, such as football, rugby, or gymnastics, carry a risk of spinal cord injuries, especially when proper safety measures are not followed.
• Medical Malpractice: Surgical errors or improper handling during medical procedures can result in spinal cord damage, highlighting the importance of skilled and careful medical care.
• Workplace Accidents: Industrial accidents, falls from scaffolding, or improper handling of heavy machinery can cause spinal injuries in the workplace.
• Disease: Some medical conditions can also cause spinal cord injuries, such as cancer, osteoporosis, and arthritis.

Determining liability in spinal cord injury cases involves identifying the parties whose negligence or intentional actions contributed to the injury. In motor vehicle accidents, for instance, the at-fault driver can be held liable if the injury resulted from their negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence. Property owners may also be responsible if a fall occurs due to unsafe conditions on their premises, such as wet floors or broken staircases, since they have a duty to maintain a safe environment. Even attacks or assaults on another's property could be the property owner's fault.

Employers are another group that can be held accountable, particularly when workplace accidents occur. They are required to provide a safe working environment and adhere to safety regulations. If an injury happens due to inadequate training or failure to follow safety protocols, the employer may be liable.

Additionally, manufacturers can be held accountable if a defective product, such as faulty sports equipment or unsafe machinery, causes a spinal injury. In such cases, the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring their products are safe for use. Understanding who is responsible is crucial for victims seeking compensation to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation, and other related costs. Legal assistance is essential in navigating the complexities of these cases and ensuring justice is served.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

How a spinal cord injury is classified comes down to the symptoms it causes and the impact it has on a person's life. Spinal cord injuries can be divided into two main categories: complete and incomplete.

Complete spinal cord injuries are the most serious because they fully terminate the brain's ability to communicate with the areas of the body below the site of injury. Lower on the spine, complete spinal cord injuries may cause paralysis of both legs and the lower trunk (paraplegia). Higher on the spine, complete spinal cord injuries may cause paralysis of the entire body below the neck (tetraplegia or quadriplegia).

Incomplete spinal cord injuries reduce the brain's ability to send and receive signals with the areas of the body below the location of the injury on the spine. The impact of an incomplete spinal cord injury will vary greatly depending on the extent of nerve damage and what signals are able to come through. In some cases, a person may have full sensation and limited muscle control, limited sensation and full muscle control, or muscle control on one side of the body and not the other. Nearly two-thirds of spinal cord injuries in the U.S. are classified as incomplete, thanks to medical advancements that have taught us how to properly treat and manage spinal cord trauma.

There are a few main types of incomplete spinal cord injuries that bear mentioning:

• Anterior cord syndrome, which affects the front of the spinal cord and affects motor and sensory pathways. Some sensation or movement may be retained or regained.
• Central cord syndrome, which affects the center of the spinal cord and damages the nerves that carry signals to and from the brain. Loss of fine motor skills, partial impairment of the legs, and loss of bladder, bowel, and sexual function may affect some patients with this injury.
• Posterior cord syndrome, which affects the rear of the spinal cord, typically results in poor coordination. Many patients with this type of injury will be able to maintain fair to good muscle control and posture.
• Brown-Sequard syndrome, which affects one side of the spinal cord more than the other. It is a rare type of incomplete spinal cord injury that leaves a patient partially or wholly paralyzed on one side of the body but not the other. This will vary dramatically from patient to patient.

The Ongoing Cost of Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs)

Well over a quarter of a million Americans live with a disability caused by a spinal cord injury, ranging from incomplete paraplegia to high tetraplegia. The costs of these injuries vary according to the severity of paralysis, but all of them are costly, requiring medication and assistive devices as well as ongoing care.

Some of the ongoing costs associated with spinal cord injuries include:

• Medical treatment and surgeries
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Assistive devices and home modifications
• Lost wages and future earning potential
• Caregiver expenses
• Mental health support

On average, a person with an SCI-related disability can expect to spend between $275,000 and $920,000 on treatment in their first year. Annual care costs after the first year average $33,500 on the low end, but costs reach as high as $164,500 for people with complete tetraplegia. These costs don't include the costs of adjusting to your new disability--making home renovations, buying a new vehicle to accommodate you or a loved one, or the loss of income from losing a job or needing a loved one to stay home.

Living with a spinal cord injury can be challenging and expensive, but patients and their families can seek support and counsel from the team at Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC. We have represented clients across Pennsylvania after serious workplace accidents, motor vehicle accidents, falls, and other incidents that have left them suffering from spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, severe burns, and other life-altering trauma. By holding at-fault parties accountable and seeking fair compensation, our spinal cord injury attorneys fight to help improve our clients' lives and futures.

Recovering Just Compensation After a Spinal Cord Injury

Recovering just compensation after a spinal cord injury involves holding the at-fault parties legally accountable for their actions. This process typically starts with identifying the individuals or entities responsible for the injury, which may include negligent drivers, employers who fail to maintain safe working conditions, property owners who neglect to address hazards, or manufacturers of defective products.

Once liability is established, victims can file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for their losses. This can cover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and the pain and suffering endured due to the injury.

In these cases, a thorough investigation is crucial to gather evidence that supports the claim. This might involve collecting medical records, accident reports, eyewitness testimonies, and expert opinions. Working with an experienced Pennsylvania spinal cord injury attorney at Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC can significantly improve your chances of securing fair compensation.

Why Spine Injury Victims in Pennsylvania Rely on HHR

We are one of the most established law firms in the state. We've been fighting for motorists, workers, and victims of negligence for nearly a century, and we'll continue fighting for our communities for decades to come. Entire generations have come to rely on us and our counsel when they need it most.

Why? Because HHR has the resources to make sure every source of compensation gets explored in every case. We've helped people file for Social Security disability since it was signed into law, helped hundreds of people get access to workers' compensation benefits, and sued the biggest insurers in the nation for the money our clients deserved. Medical costs, home alteration, new equipment--compensation can cover most, if not all, of it. We've helped our clients get all this and more.

Don't let your time run out. Call (888) 498-3023 or contact us online for a free consultation. We have offices in Harrisburg, York, Carlisle, Hanover, Lancaster, and Schuylkill County.

Pennsylvania Spinal Cord Injury FAQ

What are the common causes of spine injuries?

Spine injuries can be caused by various incidents such as car accidents, workplace accidents, slip and falls, sports injuries, and medical malpractice.

What types of compensation can spine injury victims in Pennsylvania seek?

Spine injury victims may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and long-term care.

What are the long-term implications of a spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord injuries in can have long-term implications such as paralysis, loss of motor function, chronic pain, and the need for ongoing medical care and support.