SACRAMENTO SPINAL CORD INJURY LAWYERS

Comprehensive Legal Support for Spinal Cord Injury Victims

After a spinal cord injury, your job is to maximize your recovery without having to worry about legal issues. Let our lawyers at Dreyer Babich Buccola Wood Campora prove the defendant’s fault and recover for your losses, so you can focus on your personal needs.

We have assisted seriously injured people from Sacramento, throughout the state of California and across the country for more than three decades. Our work has earned us the trust and respect of other lawyers, judges, expert witnesses, doctors and most important, by our former clients who we have been honored to represent.

Discover why clients across California trust us. Contact our Sacramento attorneys at (916) 999-9132 for a complimentary case evaluation.

Essential Steps for Your Spinal Cord Injury Claim in Sacramento

Our team has been serving clients for over 35 years, which has given us the type of experience necessary to handle spinal cord injury (SCI) cases. Especially when you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, your claim needs a heightened level of medical and legal care and attention. This is not only because of the extent of your medical needs and expenses, but mostly because of the way such an injury will affect you permanently, in every aspect of your life.

Spinal cord injury patients are rarely able to return to their previous jobs, if they are lucky enough to re-enter the workforce at all. They may struggle to complete simple tasks like basic housework or even be unable to provide for their basic care. These injuries often disrupt every aspect of one’s life and require special consideration.

These losses typically deserve the most significant levels of compensation. However, we can almost assure you the at-fault party will not want to pay what they owe. Insurers and company defendants know just how much spinal cord injuries can cost over the course of an individual’s lifetime. However, rather than offering you a fair settlement, they will try offering a small amount of compensation—one that will not meet your long-term needs.

What are Some Recoverable Damages in a Spinal Injury Claim?

Our attorneys will work closely with highly qualified medical experts to determine the size and scope of your losses. We will consult with doctors and life-care experts to fully assess how your injury will affect your present and future life. Then, we will demand to receive compensation on your behalf for:

• Past medical expenses
• Future medical needs
• Rehabilitation/therapy
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Mobility aids and accommodations
• Household or personal aid
• Pain and suffering (past & lifetime)
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Home renovations to make your living space accessible

Finding your path forward after such a serious injury can be difficult. Having adequate compensation to address for future treatment and your life care needs is essential to maximizing the quality of your life. Our team can help you to have the best life possible on your journey into the future.

Medical Insights and Legal Expertise in SCI Cases

Spinal cord injury causes paralysis by blocking signals from the brain from reaching parts of the body below the damage. However, the side effects and sequelae of such injuries go beyond what is commonly known. Our attorneys fully understand the impacts of a spinal cord injury, which means we can help you receive compensation for all your losses.

Spinal cord injuries may cause:

• Complete or partial paralysis
• Dysregulation of internal organs
• Abnormal heart rate (arrhythmia)
• Difficulty with bladder and bowel control
• Chronic pain
• Increased risk of pneumonia and respiratory diseases
• Increased risk of blood clots
• Muscle spasms and/or exaggerated reflexes
• Decrease in sexual desire
• Depression or other mental health issues
• Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (responsible for blood pressure, stress responses and body temperature)

Such complications can make it difficult to leave the house and participate in society. Unfortunately, medical knowledge is not yet advanced enough to “cure” most of these conditions. However, you absolutely deserve compensation for the hardship they have introduced into your life.

Because our attorneys fully understand how spinal cord injury can cause such complications, we will push for a settlement or verdict that accounts for your very obvious and even very subtle conditions that may plague you for a lifetime.

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

The long-term effects of a spinal cord injury (SCI) can be profound and varied, depending on the severity and location of the injury. Typically, these effects can be categorized into physical, psychological, and social impacts.

• Physically: Individuals with SCI may experience varying degrees of paralysis or loss of sensation below the site of injury. Quadriplegia or tetraplegia refers to paralysis affecting all four limbs and the torso, commonly resulting from injuries to the cervical spine. Paraplegia involves paralysis of the lower body, often due to injuries to the thoracic or lumbar regions of the spine. Other physical complications include chronic pain, muscle spasms, and difficulties with bladder and bowel control. Many SCI patients also face respiratory issues, especially if the injury affects the upper spinal cord, and they may require ventilatory support.
• Psychologically: The challenges of coping with a spinal cord injury can lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The drastic change in mobility and independence often necessitates a significant psychological adjustment. Long-term mental health support is crucial to help individuals adapt to their new circumstances and maintain a positive outlook.
• Socially: the impact of an SCI can affect relationships, employment, and overall quality of life. Individuals with SCI often need to make substantial adjustments to their daily routines and living environments to accommodate their disabilities. This can strain personal relationships and may necessitate the involvement of caregivers. Employment can become a significant challenge, leading to financial difficulties and requiring workplace accommodations or career changes.

In summary, the long-term effects of a spinal cord injury are multifaceted, affecting physical health, psychological well-being, and social dynamics. Comprehensive rehabilitation and support systems are essential to help individuals with SCI achieve the best possible quality of life.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injuries in CA?

In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those involving spinal cord injuries, is generally two years from the date of the injury. This means that an individual has two years from the date the injury occurred to file a lawsuit in court.

There are some exceptions and special circumstances that can alter this timeframe:

• Discovery Rule: If the injury was not discovered right away, the statute of limitations may begin on the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.
• Minors: If the injured person is a minor, the statute of limitations is generally tolled (paused) until the minor turns 18. The individual then has two years from their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit.
• Government Claims: If a spinal cord injury claim is against a government entity, there are specific procedures and shorter timeframes to be aware of. Typically, a claim must be filed with the appropriate government agency within six months of the injury. If the claim is denied, the injured party then has six months from the date of denial to file a lawsuit.
• Medical Malpractice: If the spinal cord injury is due to medical malpractice, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the injury or one year from the date the injury was discovered, whichever comes first.

It's crucial for individuals with spinal cord injuries to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure that their legal rights are protected and that they do not miss any critical deadlines.

Proven Success in Sacramento Spinal Cord Injury Litigation

Our lawyers have an impressive record of successful results, including many for victims of spinal cord injuries. Below are some examples of winning verdicts and settlements from past spinal cord injury cases:

• $10.2 Million - Spinal cord injury resulting from bus accident in what became the largest personal injury verdict in Sacramento County for more than 10 years
• $7.3 Million - Spinal cord injury resulting from an accident at a construction site
• $6.5 Million - Spinal cord injury resulting from a commercial truck accident
• $5.24 Million - Spinal cord injury resulting from a fall of a ladder without non-slip coating
• $3.17 Million - Spinal cord injury after our client was struck by rushing water from a fire hydrant
• $2.3 Million - Spinal cord injury due to substandard training and safety program resulting in ready-mix driver accident
• $1.5 Million - Case involving disabled man who suffered a spinal cord injury after a chain reaction accident
• $1 Million - Spinal cord injury due to a slip and fall at a shopping center

Free Consultation: Secure Your Future with Our Sacramento Injury Lawyers

Our attorneys are dedicated to helping the injured navigate the legal process during this difficult time. We take an old-school approach to the law: No tricks, no flashy displays, just the evidence and the truth but use cutting edge technologies, when necessary.

We are home to skilled litigators who know how to communicate the nuances of a case and present each client’s story in a compelling way. This approach has helped us win many verdicts—and convince the defendants in most cases to settle for top dollar, out of court for fear of losing at trial.

We have assisted people suffering from spinal cord injuries including paraplegia, quadriplegia, partial paralysis and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) among others. You can depend on us to provide you with the same personalized service that has helped us deliver justice for clients throughout the country.

Our attorneys work with you one-on-one. We sit down with you to develop a relationship within which we learn the details of your life. We draw on that knowledge to craft unique legal strategies responsive to your needs

Ready to discuss your spinal cord injury claim? Call our Sacramento legal team at (916) 999-9132 for a free evaluation or schedule your consultation online.