Texas Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

November 18, 2023 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman

A spinal cord injury can leave you with unexpected medical costs, loss of earnings, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

You don't have to face these challenges alone. Our dedicated Texas spinal cord injury lawyers at Dolman Law Group are here to help you.

We understand the intricacies of spinal cord injury cases in Texas and the profound effects these injuries can have on your life. Our attorneys are dedicated to advocating for your rights and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.

Spinal cord injuries can occur due to car accidents, falls, acts of violence, or even during recreational activities. Regardless of how it happened, if your injury was due to someone else's negligence or intentional act, Texas law may provide you with avenues for recovery.

Our team has a thorough understanding of Texas personal injury law as it relates specifically to spinal cord injuries. We can handle all aspects of your case so that you can focus on what matters most — your recovery and well-being. Trust us for compassionate representation tailored to your unique situation.

Why Choose Dolman Law Group?

Texas Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers PA., our commitment is to provide comprehensive, compassionate, and dedicated legal representation for victims of spinal cord injuries in Texas.

Our team has helped over 40,000 clients with their personal injury claims, with successful outcomes in countless cases involving complex spinal cord injuries. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of the medical aspects tied to such injuries, thus ensuring we represent your case effectively and persuasively.

Awards and recognition aside—what truly sets us apart is our focus on client-centered representation. We believe each client is more than just a case number—they are individuals facing significant life-altering experiences deserving of respect, empathy, and personalized attention.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and accessible, ensuring every question you have is answered promptly and thoroughly. Our goal is to achieve the best possible results for you and support you through this challenging journey, providing peace of mind during a difficult time.

Make recovery your priority and let us handle the rest. Trust Dolman Law Group for committed advocacy when it matters most.

Contact Our Texas Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today

The Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries

A central part of your nervous system, the spinal cord plays a vital role in transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of your body. It consists of various nerves that control muscle function and sensation in your body. Therefore, an injury to the spinal cord can severely affect one's mobility and feeling.

Spinal cord injuries typically fall into two categories: complete and incomplete injuries. Complete spinal cord injuries result in total loss of all motor function and sensation below the level of injury – for instance, paraplegia (paralysis that affects all or part of the torso, legs, and pelvic organs) or quadriplegia (also known as tetraplegia, or paralysis that affects all four limbs).

On the other hand, incomplete spinal cord injuries refer to situations where some motor function or sensation remains below the level of injury. The degree to which an individual retains function depends on the extent and location of their injury.

In addition to these physical detriments, spinal cord injuries can also cause secondary conditions such as respiratory problems, blood clots, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and muscle spasms, among others. All these conditions contribute significantly to why immediate medical attention is crucial following any accident that could lead to a potential spinal injury.

At Dolman Law Group, our team relies on medical experts with advanced knowledge of these types of spinal cord injuries, and we have worked with many clients who've faced these life-altering experiences.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Texas

Accidents leading to spinal cord injuries often occur due to the negligence or intentional acts of another party, making these injuries rightfully subject to personal injury claims.

Here are some common causes:

  • Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, truck, motorcycle, and other motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Alarmingly, car accidents account for almost 39 percent of these injuries, with males making up a staggering 78% of new spinal cord injury cases. These incidents can result in severe trauma to the spine due to high-speed impacts or rollovers. If another driver's negligent actions caused your accident — such as distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence — they might be held liable for your injuries.
  • Workplace Incidents: Certain work environments expose employees to potential risk for spinal cord injuries—particularly those involving heavy machinery or heights like construction sites. If an employer fails to adhere to safety regulations, resulting in an accident causing spinal injury, you may have grounds for a claim.
  • Slip and Fall Accidents: Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere — at a grocery store, on icy sidewalks, or even inside a friend's home. If property owners do not maintain safe premises and it leads to an accident causing a spinal cord injury, they could be held accountable under premises liability laws.
  • Recreational and Sports Injuries: High-impact sports or recreational activities, such as football and diving into shallow waters, can sometimes lead to spinal cord injuries. If these incidents involve faulty equipment or failure by management staff (such as lifeguards) that contributes to the accident, there may be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.

In all these scenarios mentioned above where another party's negligence has directly resulted in your spinal cord injury, Dolman Law Group is here to assist you in seeking rightful compensation through a personal injury claim.

The Impacts of Spinal Cord Injuries

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, approximately 17,730 new spinal cord injury cases occur each year in the United States alone. Dealing with a spinal cord injury involves more than just managing the physical damage. The effects can be life-altering and ripple out to impact every aspect of your life.

Impacts of Spinal Cord Injuries

Physical Effects

Depending on the level and severity of the injury, potential physical consequences can range from muscle weakness to complete loss of motor function and sensation below the point of injury. This could significantly affect one's mobility and ability to perform everyday tasks or lead to additional health issues such as respiratory difficulties, bladder control problems, and more.

Emotional and Mental Consequences

A spinal cord injury can have profound emotional and psychological impacts. Coping with sudden changes in your lifestyle, reduced independence, or chronic pain can lead to mental health complications like depression or anxiety. Considering these aspects when pursuing compensation is essential, as SCI sufferers may require long-term counseling or therapy.

Financial Challenges

Spinal cord injuries often lead to substantial medical costs — from initial hospitalization and surgical intervention to ongoing costs such as rehabilitation therapy, medications, home modifications for accessibility, and assistive devices like wheelchairs, among others.

Alongside this are likely lost wages and income from time off work during recovery — or even potentially permanent unemployment if one cannot return to their previous occupation due to their injuries.

At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers PA., we comprehend the multifaceted impacts a spinal cord injury can have on an individual's life. We aim for justice and comprehensive compensation that reflects the magnitude of these effects on our client's lives.

If you suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else's negligence or intentional act, you need a lawyer who understands your legal rights under Texas law. A personal injury lawyer might use a claim or lawsuit to recover compensation for your injuries and related losses.

To establish another party's liability in a personal injury claim in Texas, you need to demonstrate the elements of negligence:

  • Duty: The defendant had a legal responsibility—also known as duty of care—not to harm you. For instance, all drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and abide by traffic rules.
  • Breach: The defendant failed in their duty of care by acting or not acting in a certain way. This could include behaviors like reckless driving, failure to maintain safe premises, etc.
  • Causation: You must prove that the defendant's breach of duty directly caused your spinal cord injury.
  • Damages: Lastly, you must confirm that you suffered damages—such as medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering—as a result of the injury.

Furthermore, Texas operates under a modified comparative fault rule, so if you are partly at fault for the accident that led to your injuries, any damages awarded would decrease by your percentage of fault.

An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer can determine who you can hold liable for your accident and recover maximum compensation for your losses. 

Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries

If you suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else's negligence, filing a personal injury claim in Texas can recover compensation. The aim is to restore the injured party, as much as possible, to the position they occupied before the accident.

This often involves covering both economic and non-economic damages.

  • Economic Damages: These are quantifiable losses directly resulting from your injuries, such as medical bills (for initial treatment, ongoing care, or rehabilitation), lost income (if you had to take time off work due to your injuries), loss of future earning capacity (if your injuries prevent you from returning to work or require a change in occupation).
  • Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for more subjective and non-tangible impacts of an injury. This often includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, or even loss of consortium.

Texas doesn't cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases—with the exception being medical malpractice claims. Determining fair compensation requires careful consideration of both present and future needs following a spinal cord injury.

At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers PA., we are experienced in accurately calculating these damages, considering how the spinal cord injury has impacted your life, and thus ensuring that any settlement reached reflects the full extent of the harm suffered.

The Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuits in Texas

One crucial element to keep in mind when pursuing a personal injury claim after a spinal cord injury is the statute of limitations. In Texas, the law generally gives you two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. This time frame applies to both personal injury and property damage claims.

Some exceptions could extend or shorten this deadline. For instance, if you were not immediately aware of your spinal cord injury following an accident, Texas's discovery rule might allow you to start the clock from the date you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) your injury.

However, understanding these complexities can often be challenging—especially while dealing with significant injuries. Missing this deadline would likely result in losing your right to sue and recover any compensation for your injuries and related losses.

Our spinal cord injury attorneys understand the crucial timelines in a personal injury case and will promptly take all necessary steps to preserve your right to seek rightful compensation.

Dolman Law Sexual Abuse Lawyer Team standing and sitting behind large table

You do not have to navigate the overwhelming and life-altering physical, emotional, and financial burden of a spinal cord injury alone. At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers PA, we are here to guide and support you through each step.

Don't wait until it's too late. Protect your rights and potentially secure the compensation you need to manage this significant change in your life. As experienced Texas personal injury lawyers, we understand the magnitude of what you're going through, and we want to help.

Contact us today or call (281) 524-4370 for your free consultation. Let's discuss your case, explore your options, and start working toward a resolution that helps you regain control of your life after a spinal cord injury.

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

Learn More